Above and Beyond

This week was a blur but two instances stick out to me. The first was splits with the Linden Elders. I went with Elder Olsen all day. He loved to talk so that was sick! He lives where Napoleon Dynamite was filmed. He went to the same school and even worked at the same chicken place! Anyways, after dinner we talked to some odd people. The first person we talked to said we could come over whenever we want to for dinner (Less active member). She also said she loves the culture of the Mormons and helps wherever possible but doesn't come to church. She doesn't believe in the basic principles. I was so weirded out when she declined coming to church to take the sacrament. That is the most important part! I have been studying a lot on the Gift of the Holy Ghost and that just blew my mind that she didn't want that gift.

On to the next person, she was a new move in. The member's family was there and they are all not members. We get to talking and they have read the Book of Mormon, have felt the spirit, on track for baptism and declined. They considered themselves as "dry Mormons" or people who practice the religion but don't get baptized. I feel this huge pain inside me knowing that they are choosing not to progress. You can only go so far before you need the blessings of baptism and the the spirit then ultimately the temple. I am so grateful for the amazing gift of baptism and of the spirit! What could we ever do without it?

The next thing was Zone conference this week. This was probably one of the best Zone conferences! When zone council started (it is when the zone gets together and we discuss our baptismal dates and goals we have to reach them), we just did the normal stuff. Asked if anyone needs help with getting people to the font, how we can help, but then something came to our attention. We have this many people baptized and this many more on date. We have almost reached our goal for the month but we will exceed it with the ones on date. President said, "looks like we need to reevaluate our goal." One sister piped out some absurd number and we kinda just blew it off. Then, we all got to talking and looking for investigators coming to church but not baptized and we ended up with a goal that matched that sister's number. I learned two things, everyone's idea is worth something and we can't just settle for minimum if we are trying to improve. It reminded me of the good ol' days of football. How the coach will get in everyone's face and push us to look for more in ourselves. It was a very enlightening and spiritual experience in that meeting that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Other than those things we did service for the community. We pounded a lot of doors. Got a new ward mission leader, who is super awesome! Had fun at dinners and learning to find through members.

Good luck y'all with school starting! Let me know how football is going and the team here lost last week by a missed field goal... so don't miss your field goals! The should be automatic! (football quote) love y'all! Keep up the good work! Have a blessed week! Don't burn out your eyes looking at the eclipse.

Love, Elder Q