Día 581 it's basically Christmas

Hey fam!

I love y'all, yanno?

It was a good ole week.

But I do have to say, it never ceases to amaze me how many people turn down a Christmas video. Listen, all we want to do is #LIGHTtheWORLD with joy and service and a love for God. Despite the many rejections this week, we found a few really cool people and set someone with a baptismal date. I guess you gotta go through opposition in this life.. neat.

Wednesday was zone conference and it was the Christmas conference since it is the one right before Christmas... It was an early morning. We had to get there early to practice singing as a zone. There was some guy directing us and previously the sisters had designated me, along with some other elders, to be tenors... Well this guy switched our part on us last second so then we were singing low and it was dumb. Basically, I missed a few notes in the live performance, but it is fine because I just blended in with the rest of the elders. We pretty much sounded like... typical elders in a choir... Anyway, zone conference was a good time. I got to pasar un rato with some mission pals (Hello Elder Worthen(-:). I also stood next to a hometown elder, Jackson Blank, for the group picture. It was a good time. He is holding an orange. 

After zone conference we went on exchanges. Elder Neilson came with me to Taylor. We spent all night with members, so that was a success. Except when you knock at someone’s door at 8 pm and they flip 7 bricks at you (figuratively) because it is far too late to be knocking apparently. Elder Neilson is a fun guy. We also felt like visiting this one member, and it turned out to be perfect timing because she was going into surgery and wanted a blessing. Fun how the spirit guides. 

Thursday we met a sweet lady named Kiana after an appointment canceled. It was perfect timing (as always) because she just got home from the grocery store and was taking her stuff in. We shared a short message about lighting the world and then asked for referrals... She then referred herself saying she was super interested, has a Mormon friend in the ward, and has already read the Book of Mormon. We accepted that referral and the next day we taught her again and set her with a baptismal date! It was a hoot. 

- We also taught a less active and found out she’s a biker

- There are Biker gangs everywhere right now

- Talked with a classic old western man. 

- Helped a family move. Fasted and smallest move ever. 

Saturday we had an amazing breakfast with our ward mission leader. Yogurt, granola, fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. It was pretty bomb. After coordination we helped set up for the Taylor Christmas light up parade. My job was to Tape “Light the World” on the banner... And make it look good... So obviously my perfectionism led to a pretty good job. We also won 2nd place in the parade behind the National Guard... But that’s respectable so... The ward was super excited. Unfortunately we didn’t even get to see the parade because we were too busy teaching an amazing Hispanic family. That was a hoot and a half. 

Sunday we were expecting a few investigators... and none of them showed so that was a bummer... But there are still some less actives who are becoming more active and that’s awesome to see. It was also Fast and testimony meeting. Jeez, in the last few Fast Sundays, the testimonies are really getting to me. I just feel so much love and joy from hearing others’ experiences and trials and how they have been strengthened. I think I just keep seeing how I have been strengthened in my own life and the person I am now. I dunno, I am at a really weird stage in the mission because the end is right around the corner. lolz.

 Nevertheless, I love this time of year. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the purpose my life has because of it. Thanks for all your love and support! Keep me updated and send pictures!

<3 br="">

Élder Thorkelson

Elder Neilson and I

Making curves with tape is difficult.

A less than mediocre dinner followed the taking of this picture.