We started teaching a new person this week named Maura, and she is super awesome. She got in contact with us because she needed to meet with the bishop for an interview to work at Deseret Industries. We gave her bishop's number and asked her if she wanted to learn more about what we believe too, and she said yes. We've had two lessons with her now, and both times we've brought Hermano Torres, an awesome member that loves to do missionary work.
We were originally going to teach her about the Restoration of the Gospel first, but after getting to know her, we decided to teach her more about the Plan of Salvation first. Her parents, her siblings, her husband, and her son have all passed away. It was so cool to see how the Spirit touched her when we taught her about where we go after we die, and as we taught her that she can be with her family forever.
We had two 24 hour exchanges this week, which are a pretty new thing in our mission. So for both of these exchanges, the new missionary has come to my area with me. After we did our morning run, I made my special pancakes for the new elder both times. ;)
One of the elders I went on the exchange with, Elder Barrus, is my fifth cousin. The other, Elder Ulibarri, graduated high school in 2022, and is making me feel old haha.
At our recent zone conference, one of the main things we discussed was praying for charity when dealing with others. We should share the gospel because we love that person and want them to be happy, not because we have to. As I've done that, it's made a huge difference. So many times in lessons I've just felt so much more love for the friends and members we have taught. I know that God loves all of us!
The highlight of the week was the news I got from Elder Neuffer, the military relations senior missionary. He sent me a text letting me know that one of the young men I baptized at the MCRD is preparing to serve a full-time mission, and that he wanted to get in contact with me. I was not expecting him to want to serve a mission, and especially so soon after being baptized. He was medically discharged from the MCRD because he got hurt, and he told me that since then he's just felt like he needs to serve a mission. He will begin the paper work in January! Man, I love the gospel. I know that will be life changing for him.
I hope everyone has a great week, God bless you all!
Elder Pettit
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
