Exchanges Back To Back

Hello friends and family! Hope you've had a wonderful week. For me it has been super busy and fun. We went on some exchanges and had a blast. I had dumplings for the first time and they are bomb. Anyways let's get into it.

On Thursday we went on exchanges. This was a special exchange because the Assistants were going around all the zones and pairing up with the district leaders and the Zone leaders went with there companions. I got to go with my Zone leader Elder Sychagov from Moscow Russia. He is so funny and really cool. His English is good as well, but sometimes he doesn't her certain slang or phrases which can be funny sometimes haha. Elder Sprickedhoff one of the Assistants from Toronto went with Elder Kidd. The whole day was so great. We met this Latvian lady who spoke Russian so Elder  Sychagov spoke to her while I smiled and nodded it was funny. Later in the evening right before tea with a member we were knocking and had this super crazy cool experience. 

So Elder Sychagov and I knocked on this door and got no answer then this lady in her drive way the house over was by her car and we waved and asked if anyone in this area would be interested in learning about God and she just shrugged and we shrugged back. Then we asked if she believed in God, and she said yes as of about 6 years ago. Elder Sychagov ask if we can hear her story and she yes with some enthusiasm. I was shook. She let us in her home and we got talking about how she was an atheist but now believes in God and Jesus Christ. We talked about the bible and why there were so many churches and she paused us and said "woah I'm feeling something burning in my chest, it's a warm good feeling." Elder Sychagov and I were so chuffed. We go on to explain that Christ's church has been restored to the earth today with a living Prophet and Apostles. Yet again she pauses and with eyes open says "nooo waayyy" and she said she was getting goosebumps and that warm feeling again (the Holy Ghost). We were able to get her number and give her a Book of Mormon, but she is very busy so hopefully in the near future we can start teaching her. She seemed really interested and was going to suggest to get numbers so we could set something up. After we left her home Elder Sychagov and I started smiling and laughing so hard. This is so unusual for us as missionaries to have people just be shocked and willing to let us in haha. It was a good experience and later down the road we talked to this guy, Julian, who had an American dodge truck. This was perfect because Elder Kidd is into trucks and they will be able to get along well. 

Friday Night we went to Peterborough to go on another exchange with just the Zone leaders. I went with Elder Haws from Arizona and it was yet another good exchange. I love to learn from exchanges. Nothing too crazy we just had a good time and made a friend/couple potentials. Grace wasn't able to make it to church once again. She was poorly and we were quite sad, which means we are pushing her date back again. We met with her today and discussed Church so we are going to pray every night for her. 

Spiritual thought: 

This is a conference talk given by President Packer titled: The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ-- plain and Precious Things 

"Life moves all too fast. When you feel weak, discouraged, depressed, or afraid, open the Book of Mormon and read. Do not let too much time pass before reading a verse, a thought, or a chapter.

My experience has been that a testimony does not burst upon us suddenly. Rather it grows, as Alma said, from a seed of faith. “It will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow” (Alma 32:30). If you nourish it, it will grow; and if you do not nourish it, it will wither (see Alma 32:37–41).

Do not be disappointed if you have read and reread and yet have not received a powerful witness. You may be somewhat like the disciples spoken of in the Book of Mormon who were filled with the power of God in great glory “and they knew it not” (3 Ne. 9:20).

Do the best you can. Think of this verse: “See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order”

I love this because the Book of Mormon is such an amazing book that can really bring you closer to God. Your witness of the Book of Mormon may not come all at once or right away but as you are diligent, obedient and heed to his council he will give you the knowledge and testimony of its divinity. 

Have a great week everyone! Love you all and thank you for the support and prayers. Till next week.

Elder Jones 

1. District poses

2. Amazing district

3. Making dinner for Elder Kidd and I