We had a really great week here in Bay City. So much happened!! I will tell you all some of the highlights!! We put Jazzii on date for baptism for September 12th (LETS GOOOOO), we had some cool "preaching by the way" moments, I have a few miracles to share, and of course I will conclude with a few funny stories!!
To start off, it has been really fun to be a trainer. I love teaching Elder Clouse the ropes. He is a stellar missionary and he is learning quickly. I hope to teach him all I know, and he definitely has a desire to learn. He is/ will be an excellent missionary.
WE PUT JAZZII on DATE FOR BAPTISM!!!! I am so excited! I have been praying for these opportunities for Elder Clouse. I want him to see this in action and he may have a Baptism, his first transfer! I am still deciding if he will actually baptize her or not. I am thinking, if she wants him to, it would be cool.
It was such a neat experience setting a date for her baptism. The devil was working his very hardest. We met with her at the tables outside her apartment. Right when the lesson was getting going, we got a HUGE storm that hit us. It started pouring and the wind was pushing us. So, we had to go inside and then there were people running around everywhere. I prayed vigorously for the spirit, and extended the invitation. She was like "sure! I have wanted to get baptized again!" Guys, Jazzii is GOLDEN!! She is already keeping most of the commandments and she has such a desire to get baptized. She has been watching the Restoration movie and is already forming a testimony of Joseph Smith. Stay tuned!
Patrick texted us this week and he said he still needs to pray about whether or not he wants to get baptized. We haven't heard from him since. I fasted and prayed for him this week. I have faith he will receive his answer, and he will get baptized in his own time.
This week I took Elder Clouse out for some Preaching By the Way. One night, we were out for two hours. Elder Clouse is a trooper. He does not like knocking, but keeps a good attitude. And, he is getting pretty good at it! This week we met this guy who has a youtube channel. He wants to interview us on his channel to get the word out, and learn about our church. We are pumped!!
Another highlight this week was this kind people! We went running this week one morning and a lady was like "you guys are awesome! Way to run in the morning." It was so nice! And another one was the day we went knocking. It was HUMID when we went out and we were dripping sweat. One lady was like " I am not interested, but you guys look like you need a drink". She got us some carbonated water and it was so kind!!! If you see any guys like me walking around, say something nice to them! It means the world to us. It really does!
This week it was Elder Candland's birthday the day before mine! Elder Clouse and I tried to make it special. Elder Clouse's Mom sent us a bunch of cinnamon rolls that were FIRE and we blew up like 50 balloons. We woke him up with balloons and jumped on his bed hahaha. I love these guys! Then that night, we made him a cake and lit off some sparklers.
Okay, onto some miracles because I have a few funny stories for you guys this week. Do you guys remember Alan? The guy we baptized? There have been complications with him... but it is all good. He is GOLDEN man. He found a woman on Facebook and for a period of 3 months sent her scriptures and stuff. He told Elder Kofford and I this the last time Kofford met with him. We were shocked! It was so cool he was sending her scriptures! That was a miracle in itself. Then, at church last week he casually mentioned "Oh yeah this weekend I went down to Detroit and watched my friend from Facebook get baptized." WHATTTT Elder Clouse and I were shocked. How cool!!
Funny Stories:
Every night, right when it hits nine Elder Candland, Clouse and I have fun. That is usually the time I write in my journal and get ready. But no. By 9:05, these guys have soccer balls and footballs in hand and we're all chasing each other around the house. We have only lived in the apartment for a month or two and there is already a lot of stuff broken... lol opps. We mess with each other and they always try to scare me haha
Elder Candland likes to take the most terrible pictures of me he can. I seriously don't know how he does it. He will take the weirdest pictures. It is hilarious. So, if any of you saw the one Elder Clouse posted on my facebook that is one of them hahah
OKAY FUNNIEST STORY
I went to go take some pictures of Elder Clouse for his Facebook profile one night. It was really funny he wanted one in the same spot as me. We have matching profile pictures now! But, while he was taking them these drunk people swarmed him. In Bay City, they have these carts that people ride on and just get plastered. I don't know how they are legal. But, of course he was taking pictures and these people were very intrigued by us missionaries ( why can't they be that intrigued all the time
) and hopped in our photos. lol I will add them below. Poor Elder Clouse was just trying to take a picture and these drunk people swarmed him. It was definitely a moment never to be forgotten
Well, after that I think it is time for a spiritual thought. This week, I was in Alma reading about the Sons of Mosiah and their conversion. I was deeply touched by how much they gave up to be missionaries for the Lord. Alma 17:2-4 below:
2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel afirst appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had bsearched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and afasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with bpower and authority of God.
4 And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much asuccess in bringing many to the bknowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and cconfess their sins before him.
Although I have not forsaken as much as the sons of Mosiah. I haven't converted as many people as they, and I do not have as much faith as them. Oh how I wish I had the capacity to speak with such zeal as they. However, I am deeply touched by Alma's words when he got to meet his brethren. I know I will be overjoyous as well when I get to see all my missionary friends again.
It is my wish that all of you will gain a witness as I have that this church is true. As God, and he will show you as he has shown me, that this gospel can change your life. I have seen it completely change people, including myself. I love this work!!
I love you all, have a good week!
Elder Elliott
