¡Hola Fonzfam!
2019 is here in full swing! With the new year came a new transfer and Elder Hadfield and I had to go our own ways as he went to train a new missionary from Canada in Oregon City. In his place, I'm now with Elder Anderson who's a brand new zone leader with me(fun fact, he was trained by Elder Hadfield back in Hillsboro Fall 2017). Elder Anderson is a wonderful missionary and companion. He's a very spiritual person and gives all he can to the Lord. From these first few days together I'm excited for what this transfer will bring.
We spent New Year's Eve at a member's apartment playing a few different games that was about it since we had to be back to our own apartments by 9. All night long there were tons of fireworks going off, but we were so tired that it didn't keep us up at all. We did set an alarm for 11:55pm so that we could be up for the countdown. At midnight we popped a Martinelli, took a couple sips, and went right back to bed. For this year I'm looking forward to all the future events coming up and for the opportunity to continue to give my all to the Lord.
The first night we were together, Elder Anderson shared how he wanted to be prayerful in everything we do, and I agreed. So together we prayed in this one area where the Lord wanted us to go. We were guided to this one set of townhomes where a guy was just getting home. To strike up a conversation we asked him if he knew where the Rodriguez family lived(we made up the name) and unexpectedly he pointed to his next door neighbor's house. We thanked him and tried to get more commitment from him to learn more but he wasn't too interested. After he went inside we decided we better try his referral and so we knocked. Luis answered the door and said then wasn't the best time but he accepted a BoM and for us to come back the next morning. The next morning we learned that he's only 23(he looked way older) and is searching for truth and direction in his life. We invited him to be baptized if he came to know that our message is true and he resolutely said, "Yes, I would." The message of the Restoration of the Gospel was what he needed to hear. I know that we found him by the Spirit and that we are going to help him through that same Spirit to come closer to Christ.
The members who brought Carlos last week were able to bring him again to church yesterday! He seems to enjoy it and has a lot of questions about the gospel. In the evening we were able to have a lesson at the member's place and teach about the Plan of Salvation. He said that things are making more sense, but he struggles to make time to read the Book of Mormon during the week. We promised him some hardcore blessings and made a little plan to help him out.
I've been thinking a lot about how to "begin with the end in mind" and what that means to me. Every person I meet, I really try to envision them accepting the gospel and making it to baptism and to the temple. I sometimes laugh at myself because of how I imagine some of the people we talk to as if they were to be a member of the Church and how others wouldn't believe the change that person would have made in their life. The gospel of Jesus Christ is such a beautiful thing as it helps us live better lives. We're going to learn more about it from the mouth of an apostle this Friday. Elder Quinton L. Cook is coming to our mission conference! I'm preparing myself for a spiritual feast!
It's been a great start to what's going to a great year! No matter what happens I will always love you guys! Have an amazing week!
Love,
Elder Fonnesbeck
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| Saying goodbye to Elder Hadfield at transfers Wednesday. |
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| Welcoming Elder Anderson to his new area in Mt Hood YSA. |
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| MLC this last Friday with John & Garrett from the missionary department who trained us on how to plan more effectively. |
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