The Song of the Heart

My friends and family,

It has been a week. Ah quite a week. Every day out here is a new experience and I love it.

First, let me tell you about last Monday. We always wake up every morning and work out. I am staying pretty fit and I have not gained any weight. I am so glad that I was only in the MTC for 2 weeks because everyone gets fat there. We went to this picnic on Monday and at the end, they gave us all of the extra food. So about 40 hamburgers, 40 hot dogs, and buns for all of it. We were reluctant to take it because we had just gone shopping for the week, but we took it anyway. Everyone. Listen. The missionaries do not starve (at least in the USA). All they want from you is to find them someone to teach. I would personally rather go talk to someone than eat lunch.

This week was a week of a lot of tracting. That's the stereotypical thing for you to see missionaries doing but it's not every day. Anyway, on Tuesday, we tracted and we found a very nice man that told us all about his father passing away. It was kind of inspirational and we set up a return visit with him. Then, we met this Catholic family that really wants to convert us. So we are going back to see what they have to say! Elder Martinez told me that a true seeker always has an open mind. I'm sure I will listen to them truthfully because I hope they would do the same for our message. Thursday, tracting was for about 3 hours in the rain. Crazy. But also super fun because it has been so hot here. Anyway, out of that day, we got 3 return appointments and 2 new investigators. It was really great and a lot of people on that street wanted to talk to us.

- side note - I whistle Lord of the Rings every day without fail.

Now skip to Sunday. All 3 of us spoke in sacrament. My talk was on hymns. Perfect. I blew that talk out of the water. I had about a page of notes. IB taught me how to talk without having to write down everything that you have to say. After my talk, I played "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". That, my friends, is a beautiful song. There are a few songs that have been on my mind lately.

Come Thou Found - Vocal Point
Danny Boy - Vocal Point
You're Not Alone - Owl City
Ungrateful Eyes - Jon Bellion

Man I love those songs. We had a baptism planned for Sunday but they just didn't show. I was absolutely devastated. But they decided that they weren't ready so we will keep helping them because they really want to be baptized. I have really seen that Satan tries to sneak into your life when you are trying to improve it and follow God.

I have one large regret. And I speak specifically to my friends right now. I regret, more than anything, that I did not share my testimony with you individually. I wish that I could go back and change that. Because I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and it is only through him that we can find true happiness in this life. His spirit is the most beautiful feeling in the world and I know that we can feel his presence when we pray and read the scriptures. If any of you ever feel lost in this world, call the missionaries. Our goal is to invite others to come unto Christ and help them to be happy. I know this gospel is true because I feel it every day.

"I'll never wander on my own. For I am yours until you call me home. I close my eyes and I can hear you say 'you're not alone.' " Owl City

"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." D&C 25:12

Love,
Under Elderwood