Week #22

Hello hello! Another week is through! The time is just flying by, its crazy. So like I said last week, I was transferred into Henderson. It is such a different place overs here than in any other part of the Vegas valley that is in our mission. There are lots of big houses and lots of stubborn people haha, so the work is a little harder, but I love it! My companion's name is Elder Moen (how he describes it, "its pronounced like you're 'mowin' the lawn") He is such a funny guy and really makes the work so much more enjoyable (not that it wasn't before, because it was)! He's always making jokes and smiling and it is always a good time with him.

We went by a couple member families this week so I could meet them. One of them was the Flinders family. We had knocked on a door a few houses down from them, and then Elder Moen took me to go meet them. We knocked on heir door but they weren't home, so we started walking away. As we did that, they pulled up! (Before I go any further, just a heads up, Sister Flinder is a die hard Texan, she bleeds it eats it and breathes it haha)! So we go out to meet her and she says "Well howdy y'all" with quite the southern drawl. She proceeded to ask where I was from and of course I said "Austin, Texas" and she flipped out! She waved her arms and said "I've been waiting for a Texan to come through here for so long" and then said "I need to hug you" So before I registered it enough she gave me a hug and Elder Moen was dying laughing. It was a sight to see for sure! Then, one of her kids gets out of the car and she excitedly says "Guess where he's from!? Austin, Texas!" And the kid gasps and gets wide eyes and smiles, then her other kid that was in the car got out and she said the exact same thing, and then the second kid proceeded to have be exact same reaction haha, I guess sibling really are alike

The other funny experience this week happened Friday night. We were finishing up the night, and went to a member's house to ask them for a ride to our apartment (we live a mile away from our area, and it's all uphill, so we walk instead of ride bikes which I am definitely ok with). We knock on the door and their cat runs at our feet. So Elder Moen goes to pick it up and as he bends over, he splits his pants! And we're not talking just a little tear, like he had a split that was a foot long at least! Then the door answers and it's one of their kids and Elder Moen asks "Is Mike (their brother) here? I need him". So we walked in and Elder Moen used his back pack to cover his huge hole and ran into the bathroom. It was hilarious!

My spiritual thought comes from 3 Nephi 9, verse 14. It reads "Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." As I was reading this in my personal study, I reflected on the phrase "eternal life". In this verse, Christ is proclaiming that those who come unto Him will have eternal life. What a great blessing that is. Eternal life is one of the greatest gifts of God. I know that as we come unto Christ and strive to be like Him, we can and we WILL have eternal life, we will be able to live in the presence of our Maker, and we will be with our families forever. This is not the end. Because of Christ, death has no sting and the grave no victory. We will see our loved ones again someday. Those who have passed on before us are watching over us and walking with us side by side through the ups and downs of life. And not only that, Christ is doing the same thing as well. We have so much support on this earth from our loved ones here and in Heaven. May we all continue through life knowing that we will all be together again some day. This church is true. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is risen. It is through Him and only through Him that we can have eternal life. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Before I go, I just wanted to shout out my family. I love them so much. They are my rock and are what keeps me going on the mission. I would not be here today without y'all. I love you guys so much. My mom is my number 1 fan and is my favorite woman in the world. Nothing can separate the special bond that she and I hold. Not a day goes by where I don't think about or talk about my mother. She has taught me so much, and has been an example to me on how a mother should be, especially while being the odd woman out with 7 boys counting my dad. My dad is like a brother to me. He's my best friend and always knows what to say, and gives me a lot of good advice for the mission. I hope I can be half the missionary he was by the time I'm finished. He also is a great example on how to be a father. My brothers are my best friends and brothers through everything. They mean the world to me. I hope they know how much I love them. I look up to each of my younger brothers, they really set an example for me on how to be Christ-like. I know I will always have them, and that means everything to me. I am eternally grateful for my wonderful family. I am so thankful for all of you and for the many wonderful things y'all do for me. I love each of you. Thank you for the impact each of you have on me. You are blessings in my life. Until next week!

Elder Houssian

 The Flinders gave me a Texas Flag because they have like 5 of them #yeeyee

Baptism!  Elder Brady is out in the sticks and couldn't make it, so we called him on FaceTime!