Happy CHRISTmas to one and all!

Good Afternoon to all!     12 Dec 2011

"D" for Elder DAVIS

          My email is coming a little bit later then usual, but that is because we had to take a trip down to St. George. It was a good trip, we went to the temple and some stores down there that we don’t have here in Cedar. This week was pretty good. There is a lot of positive things happening and a lot of really good experiences. I think that every week has experiences and you are probably tired of me starting out my letters like that, but there are just experiences every week that just blow me away.

One big change was that it was super, super cold this week. It got down all the way to -6 one night. So we were having a big battle to layer ourselves up as much as possible. The cold has kind of gone away this weekend, but snow and cold are in the forecast for this upcoming week.

We went to St. George last Wednesday for our monthly zone leader meeting with President. It was really good. There is always so much to be learned from those meetings. The purpose is to try and discover ways to help the mission grow, but I always find that I learn more how to better myself then how to help the zone or the mission. It is just the ability to learn from meetings in all different types.

This week we have seen an increase in the spirituality of our lessons. We have been able to constantly feel that guidance and direction at all times through the day. The Spirit is such a vital part to missionary work, but without it, it doesn’t do much good. We had this really awesome lesson with Cris. It was probably one of the best lessons I have had on my mission. Cris has really been worried about how his wife will take him being baptized and all of that, so we started to teach his wife and do all that we needed to in that aspect. We had a super strong lesson on being an example and how that can help change the lives of others. We gave the story of Alma the older, who was the only one that actually listened to Abinadi's teachings and he eventually ran away and started to preach himself. He then had a son who also converted to the gospel (with a little extra help), and in turn Alma the younger had sons as well that were all in the gospel. The craziest part is that because of the choice of one man, thousands of people were converted to the gospel. The cool thing was that everyone in the room (Elder Castro, Brother Barnhart, and I) were all directly effected by someone converting to the gospel. In the case of Brother Barnhart, he was the one that converted himself. But in the case of Elder Castro and I, we are both sons of converts. It was just a really testimony of how much good can come from a change and the example given. We talked with Cris saying how he could be that example to his wife and family. He could be the "Alma" of his family. Another big thing we pointed out was that he could receive the Priesthood and eventually baptize his wife if she didn’t get baptized with him. So we are really excited, because he said that he was going to get baptized on either the 24th or the 31st.

That is One BIG TORTILLA! 

Another good lesson we had was with a guy named Jose Luis. We have never really had a sit down lesson with him. We just talk to him at the door, or when he invites us in there is always so much going on that it is hard to have a lesson. Last night we went by and there was no one there except for him and his kid.  The difference was that we were able to create an environment where the Spirit could come and bear witness. If we weren’t able to turn off the TV and have a nice quiet environment, it probably never would have happened. It is just so important that the Spirit is there to bear witness to the investigators, or nothing will happen.

We have seen a ton of good things come this week and that is because of the Lord. He is the greatest paymaster in the world! Our job is to just thrust in our sickle and do what we are supposed to and then the Lord will be there to bless us. I have learned that time and time again on my mission. When I am worried about what the outcome is or what good I am doing, I am usually tested or tried, but if I just forget myself and go to work, the Lord is there to pick me up when I can’t stand. He is there to bless us with a great lesson, a good contact, a solid new investigator, etc. Whatever it is, He is always there. It doesn’t matter what the situation is, the Lord just says to do our part and He will be there for us.

NEWS FROM HOME: Well Mom, I am very proud of you for your positivity at this time of the year. You have really grasped what the season is really about. It is about our Savior Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us. If we did not have Him, we would have nothing! He provided the way and He atoned for our sins that we may be made clean. So always remember that is the true reason for the season. It isn’t the presents or the commercial aspect of Christmas, but it is CHRIST. Christ the main part of the word CHRISTmas, so we always need to remember that.(The Mom told Chad that even though there wasn't going to be a lot of money available this Christmas, she was still looking forward to the season and focusing on what the Savior has done for us.)

(Because of donations from Tonja's family, Chad was sent money enough to buy a new suit for Christmas. Tonja sent them letters explaining that since Chad's dad was not working, we didn't have anything extra.  They family stepped up and provided enough for Chad to have a new suit for Christmas!) Know that I did buy my suits today. I don’t have them yet, because they are hemming the pants. But the guy cut me a deal, so I actually bought two for the price of one. So I hope that doesn’t upset you, but it was a deal that was too good to pass up. (I asked for a picture of Elder Chad in his new suit...) I will send pictures as soon as I get the suits!

Well I love you all and am grateful that you are part of my life! Have a great week and remember that Christ is the reason for the season!

Live it, Love it, Preach it!   de tu hijo amado!     ELDER D