It was a great week. Great personal and companion studies and interesting interactions. Thursday night my companion and I accompanied an investigator and her daughter as well as a member to the temple lights in Mesa. It was fantastic and exciting to spend time with them there. They are progressing well and the mother is certainly diligent in her efforts to receive a confirmation that the Book of Mormon is true. She's such a solid investigator that she even bought us a 2-ft Christmas tree with lights and ornaments.
We went back to the temple lights on Saturday night just to help out. They assign certain missionaries to go certain nights to be on the temple grounds talking to people and helping them around. To be honest I was pretty nervous about chatting with people in Spanish, and for a time I was separated from my companion by about 15 ft, left up to my own Spanish. But it was great. My first time not having my companion's Spanish as a crutch. And people were excited to be there and see the lights. It was a blast chatting with people and helping them out. There must have been thousands of people. Ben, did you ever work the Christmas lights in Mesa?
Something neat this week happened Thursday night when we had to get a car wash - because zone conference was Friday, when they have car inspections. We went inside to pay for the cheapest car wash and they attendant took a second, then handed us a receipt and said "Have a nice night." Turns out she is LDS, and let us get the more expensive car wash for free, without us saying anything about it. It was really small, but it left an impression on this little greenie.
Zone conference was wonderful, with some really good training and it left us with some good direction for us to take. The most influential note I jotted down was a quote that president shared with us from Elder Neal A. Maxwell. "If you are serious about your discipleship, the Lord will require of you that which is most difficult for you to do." I hope that can help someone as much as it helps me.
A lady that we talked to this week on the street was telling us about herself and her husband. Before their wedding, the two of them felt really uncomfortable using the words "till death to you part." So in the wedding ceremony, they had the officiator change the wording around. It was interesting to hear. People want what we have but can be so reluctant to enjoy it all. The truths of the Gospel make explicit that which is already implicit in our nature (Stephen Covey's words, not mine).
One more thing before I sign out. A sister asked us this week what we wanted for dinner yesterday. With Carrie's delicious chicken enchiladas in mind, that was my request. But I have to say that I think Carrie's recipe packs a little more flavor... But still delicious nevertheless, and they gave us European cookies as a Christmas present. Awesome family :)
Enjoy your week, everyone!
Elder Joshua Gathro
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