Elder Kyle Houssian: Week #39

Hello everyone! What an awesome week this week. I hope y'all had a great week! This week was fun-filled and spiritual, the best combo on the mission! Sorry this is so late, transfers were crazy busy!

First off, we found out about transfers, and sadly the twins are being separated. Elder Boudi is going to the Anthem Stake, and I am staying in the Heritage and River Mountain wards and getting a new companion, Elder Bannagao. He is a philippino who's been out for 3 months so it'll be fun to have a newer missionary! I also got a call from President Friday night and was asked to be a District Leader! I'm super excited for this assignment, my district is all Elders and all but 2 of them were here last transfer so it'll be a blast! And, I am FINALLY getting a car! I think I'm more excited about that than anything else!

This past Tuesday I was able to go to the temple with my ward mission leader and my companion. I love the temple so much. I had a couple questions on my mind and heart while in the temple, and I was able to receive answers and get a better understanding of things. It is truly a blessing to have the temple so close.

We have been teaching Lindsay Granzow's fiancé who is not a member, and it has been going great! They're an awesome family and we always have a blast with them! We talked about the Atonement during our last lesson and Aaron (her fiancé) really enjoyed the lesson and gave input and asked questions, he's coming a long way!

And of course, this weekend was General Conference. That was a spiritual overload! The talks were all so great, I really got a lot of insight from Conference and learned a lot. I really enjoyed Elder Holland's talk and what he said about enduring trials. As missionaries we go through lots of ups and downs throughout the course of our missions, and in talking to missionaries about it later on, they all seemed to get something out of it. I wanted to share a quote (not sure if it's 100% word for word because the talks aren't on Gospel Library yet) from his talk that says something like

"Come as you are, but don't plan to stay as you are". Brothers and Sisters, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has the ability to change our lives, but only if we let it. As we study the words of prophets from times of old as well as in today's times, we will become more and more converted to the gospel and our faith and testimony will grow stronger and stronger. The trials we go through today will make us stronger tomorrow. The Atonement is for EVERYONE. Don't ever forget that. As we use the Atonement, endure our trials with faith, and convert ourselves to the gospel and to the Lord, we will feel immense joy and happiness and will be able to feel the influence of the spirit in our lives even more. I know our Savior lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and was translated by Joseph Smith through the power of God. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love y'all so much! I hope you each have a great week and will be able to acknowledge the Savior's hand in your lives. Till next week. God speed!

Elder Houssian