So, a lot of last week you already know about, but there has been a few cool things happen since then. First off I will start with Christmas Eve. I already told you that we went to Papa Ron's pizza for dinner, and on Tuesdays it is buy a large get a large free, so we do that for each companionship, so each Elder has his own large pizza to eat. Pretty gross, ya, but it is awesome and delicious. Well, we couldn't quite finish all the pizza since we had already eaten that day, so we had them put the extras in boxes. But then we realized we don't have any way to heat it up again, and it really probably wouldn't get eaten in the next few days. We didn't want it to go to waste, so on the way home, we gave several homeless people that we passed a box of pizza with a pass-along card in it, and wished them a Merry Christmas! It was something so simple and dumb, but it made us all so happy, and it was so cool to see how grateful and how surprised and excited these homeless people were to receive what is a very nice meal here in Indonesia! And we felt awesome because we were doing service and helping the needy and spreading Christ's name and message at the same time! It was just awesome, and we were just so excited that we belted Christmas Carols the whole way home!
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| Christmas Eve at Papa Ron's |
Christmas... I have already told you most everything about. It was fun!
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| Christmas morning french toast |
Thursday we called, and that was absolutely awesome! I loved hearing from all of you, and seeing all of you and being able to do all that! It sounds like you are all doing well, and you all look great! Talking was so awesome! I can't believe how quickly the time went, though! It flew by way faster than I realized! But I don't think it was too big of a deal, so don't worry too much about it. Well, after we talked, Elder Wintolo and I were trying to figure out what to do for the day. We usually do weekly planning on thursday, but there were a few appointments we wanted to try to get in, and we wanted to pass out all our invitations to the Solo 2 Ward Christmas party that was on Friday. To be honest, after talking I was momentarily homesick, and missed the normal just relax for a few days after Chrismtas, and it was hard to get motivated to go work for a few minutes. But, we just forced it and went and got started. Well, it all got better once we started working! That really is the key: work! It makes homesickness and everything go away. Just go to work! Well, that day we rode all over our area giving out invitations and getting in a few appointments and lessons. In total, we got two solid lessons in, and we visited briefly with and handed out over 13 invitations that day.
Friday we had our study time, then we had District Meeting, which was good. Then we had an appointment and we had to help an inactive crippled member get to the Christmas party because he really wanted to come. But we didn't have time for both, so we went on splits with the other companionhip who didn't have an appointment yet. So we got that done and got back to the church just in time for the Christmas party to start. Well, it was totally awesome! In total, we had over 16 investigators and inactive members that we had taken invitations to, or that we often visit, show up there. And there were several inactive members where this was their first time stepping into the church in probably over 30 years! And we had taken an invitation to this random lady we had heard was Christian, and she came, too! It was totally awesome to see people who are new investigators come and make friendships, and long-time inactive members come back and renew old friendships and hopefully build ties to help them come back to church! So that was awesome!!!
Saturday: First off we went and got my bike fixed--the brakes weren't working at all for some reason. So now I am a lot safer because I can stop! :) So that's good! And I got a bike tool so I can fix stuff myself, too. After that, we went and got in some good appointments. One of them was really cool to me. It was with an inactive member, and this was the first time I have ever met with her. Well, we were just about to start a generic "keep the commandments and be blessed--so come to church and read the scriptures" message, because up til then, we hadn't really been able to find what her needs or anything were. But just after we finished praying and were about to open the scriptures and share our fallback message, I had a specific question come to my mind to ask her, so I did. Well, through that question, we were able to immediately find a specific need that we could help her with, though at first, I wasn't quite sure how. But, as it became time for me to talk again and help her overcome this need, immediately a scripture popped into my mind that I had read a few days ago, though never had actually used in a lesson. It was a good vrese, but before this lesson it was one I never really thought I would use in a lesson, either. But, it came straight to my mind, and so did the chapter and book that it was in. So I opened to that chapter and almost immediately found the verse I wanted, without having to really look for it much. Well, we shared that verse and a few others, had a good quick discussion, and she committed to start reading the Book of Mormon every day and to come to church tomorrow! It was awesome! (Even though she didn't come to church the next day, which was a bit disappointing. So, time to follow up on that)...
Sunday: Today was good, but it was also kind of a bummer. We didn't have a single investigator that came to church today, which was sad, because we had a goal of 8, especially after the Christmas party. But, oh well I guess, we did our best to help them, and its their agency. Several of them had decent excuses though, so I guess we will follow up with them all this week and try again next week! But today was good, too, because we got to meet with ward council from Solo 1 and with the WML from both wards to help us better coordinate the work. Then we got some study time and weekly planning done. Well, with all the meetings, and 2 church services and study and planning, we had a pretty full day, til 10:00 at night! So when we finished planning we just showered and went to bed.
Today: Today we woke up and cleaned the house. Then we all met at the church for pinewood derby, but it just seemed too complicated with 4 companionships, 1 saw, and limited time. So, luckily i had brought that little foldy frisbee thing that you sent for Christmas, and we went out to the parking lot and played Ultimate Frisbee for a while. It was a ton of fun! That frisbee thing is awesome, too, thank you! After that, we played some Uno, then some more frisbee, then came here to email. And later hopefully we can get in a few appointments.
Well, that's about it for this week! Things here are great! Sounds like things at home are good, which I'm glad for! I love you all and you are so awesome! Thanks for everything! Mom--I shared some of the caramels today and everyone loved them! And later I will think about sharing some of the cookies!
I don't know...those are pretty precious! Haha just kidding, everyone will love them though! Oh, and please tell Brad thanks for his letter, it was so awesome and nice of him! I will try to write a letter or email back to him sometime, but for now I am out of time. Tell everyone I love them and am so grateful for their love, prayers, and support!
I love you all so much! Have a great week!
Love Elder Wood
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| Home sweet home |
