Christmas Week

This was definitely a slower week as far as finding and teaching, most of the people we talked to told us they are going to be busy until after the New Year. On Christmas Eve, we got to play Santa and deliver packages and mail to all the missionaries in the zone. When we pulled up to some elders' apartment, we realized we didn't actually have any mail for them. So we decided since we were already there, we would carol to them haha. They thought it was great haha!

As we were delivering packages we stopped by the apartment of the Neuffers, the senior missionary couple who works with the recruits at the MCRD. We chatted with them for a bit and got a picture!

There was hardly anyone at church on Christmas morning when we arrived 15 minutes early, and the chapel was basically empty. But right before we started, it filled up. The Garcia family that we are teaching showed up too, which was awesome. Obispo and his wife and some other members gave all of us missionaries some presents, they are the best! 

On Sunday we will get transfer news, I will probably get moved for the last time, so I am excited to see what happens. I'm hoping I get put on bikes, since I haven't been a biking elder yet.

Have a great week everyone!

Elder Pettit

Fiesta De Navidad

Had a great Christmas parry this week in the ward. Started off very Christ-centered with the primary kids performing the Nativity scene, then Santa came, and by the end it turned into a Mexican pachanga disco dance party in the gym with loud party music. This ward is the best haha.

We had a food bank service again down here in our area. Cars line up hours before it starts at 7am, so we decided we would get there at 5 am to "tract" each car. We went car to car asking if they'd be interested in a message. Got tons of people's phone numbers, but sadly we barely made a dent in the long line of cars.

Went to the temple today and did sealings for the first time! Wow, that was a powerful experience. Went on a hike afterwards with some great views! It's crazy to think I can do such a thing on December 20th haha!

Here's something cool I read in my scripture study this week.

"Christ’s Atonement not only provides forgiveness from sin and victory over death, it also redeems imperfect relationships, heals the spiritual wounds that stifle growth, and strengthens and enables individuals to develop the attributes of Christ."

Life isn't perfect, neither are we. But Christ can get us there eventually. Life is better IN the gospel, that's facts.

Love you all and Merry Christmas!

Elder Pettit 

Brad Wilcox Zone Conference

This week was full of awesome spiritual meetings and conferences! We had Zone Conference, a second Zone Conference with Brad Wilcox, Interviews with President Merritt, a Stake Christmas Devotional, a Stake Coordination meeting for missionary work, and a "Why I Believe" devotional with Brad Wilcox speaking. 

Brad Wilcox taught the mission about the Tribes of Israel, and what the word "birthright" means as it applies to those of us who have the gospel in our lives. Because we have been given much, we too must give. He explained that in the Old Testament, the eldest son got double shares of his father's inheritance, but it came with the added responsibility of caring for his widow mother and his sisters. He went super in depth on that and used it to illustrate that because we have the gospel in our lives, we have the responsibility to take care of those who don't - to share the gospel with them. My jaw was dropped the whole time haha. 

I feel like I am getting so old in the mission! I used to know every single missionary and know what area they were in, who their companion was, etc. But now so many of the missionaries I knew well are gone, and there are so many young missionaries I don't know. Time flies!

We have played basketball almost every day this week for morning workout, and today for P-Day. It's just so fun!

Hope everyone has a good week!

Love,

Elder Pettit

¡De Todos Modos!

Another good week! Not much of an email this time, but here's some pictures! Christmas time is coming! I love being a missionary. 

Elder Pettit