Christmas

This will probably be a pretty short email since we aren't given much time...

We had a Lesson with Steven Pollock on Tuesday and we taught the Restoration. We decided to start over because it seemed like he wasn't really grasping on to key doctrines and principles. So we are taking it "Low and slow."

We were supposed to have a lesson with Hilaria but right before she gave us a call saying that she was actually in a Family Emergency. She felt really bad that we couldn't meet and she said that she would read the Book of Mormon while she was away. That was pretty big for me because we've never gotten a call like that before. We hope to begin teaching her again very soon. 

Wednesday we found a cool guy named Tony. We knocked on his door and he was very interested in our message. He was asking very deep questions that even our most progressing investigators haven't asked...and it was on his porch. He has two little daughters that are soccer players, very good ones too. He said that he wanted to read the Book of Mormon because he was always open to new info. Especially since he doesn't go to a specific church, doesn't like the paid clergy. Woohoo! Score!

Thursday we had Interviews with President and sister Foote. It was way awesome! We also went to Chick Fil 'A' Dwarf House. I can't really explain what that is so just Google it. It was cool!

 

 

New missionary training was on Friday. Wasn't too long ago when I was the greenie sitting at those tables. Basically the same thing from 14 weeks earlier.

Saturday we did service for about 8 hours. It was sick!

And finally yesterday we had our Christmas Sacrament meeting. Pretty Goochy! Then some online proselyting. Then dinner. Then we opened packages because we wouldn't have enough time today. Liam got me a missionaries favorite thing......nerf guns!! Haha it's him a be a fun day today.

Well, I guess I'll see y'all later and fam later today!! That's gonna be super awkward. We will just roll with it!

Love y'all

Elder Northrup

Letter from President Foote

This morning I received an email from President Foote that he sent to Karter today. I know Karter is aware of the significance of a prayerful, humble, trainer and I feel he is up for the calling.  Prayers for Elder Northrup and Elder Braun.  Love, MOM

December 20. 2017

Dear Elder Northrup,

It is a pleasure for me to extend an assignment to you as a Missionary Trainer in the Georgia Atlanta Mission. You will commence your role as a Trainer on December 6, 2017. Your companion will be Elder Michael Adam Trost Braun and your proselyting area will be Centerville 1 in the Conyers North Zone.     

The responsibility to train a new missionary is a sacred trust from me and from the Lord. A missionary’s first companions have a profound, lasting influence on the development of attitudes, habits and ability to fulfill our purpose. Your goal is to help your companion be the kind of missionary who, if called upon, could train a new missionary by the end of the 12-week training period.

I invite you to study and pray about the section in the Mission Handbook titled “Missionary Leadership” and to become very familiar with the inspired direction on how you can be a servant leader in your zone in a way that will bring all closer to Christ. Please make all that you do in this assignment a matter of prayer and strive to recognize and follow the spirit in love and compassion.

Your love for the Lord, your dedicated service, and your capabilities as a leader, have led to this important role. I have full confidence in you and am honored to serve by your side. Thank you for your continued service and love for your Father in Heaven.

With much admiration,

                       

President David A. Foote

Georgia Atlanta Mission

Cc: parents

The True Meaning

 Well, one week until the Big Day!!! "It's Pretty Dang exciting!!"

Wednesday we had a Christmas Devotional Zone Conference and it was pretty awesome!! It was basically a 4 hour meeting about #LightTheWorld and what we can do better!!! The only bad thing about it was that now we don't have any miles on our car so we will probs be biking everyday this week!! It builds character I guess!

We had a Ward Christmas Party on Friday and Steven Pollock (investigator) came! He was really excited to be there, and it was super fun!! I don't know if I said this already last week but he said he wanted to start meeting every other day now, I guess to get the ball moving. He will be hanging with us today when we go to play chair soccer and spikeball!!

Elder Lusko gave me his original 1999 Darth Maul Lightsaber (it glows up too)! He said, "You've proven you love Star Wars more than me!" HAHA

Oh ya, Star Wars 8 got spoiled for me....so that happened! I don't really know what to expect now, because from what I heard it sounds silly. At least from what I heard, Disney is basically taking many a dumps upon Star Wars. I don't know if that's true, but of course I wouldn't be surprised. But it's all good and dandy here in the mission field, I don't have to worry about that...yet!

Yesterday was the best Sunday that I have EVER experienced!! I guess I should give some preface...I've never felt and incredible amount of appreciation for Jesus Christ during the Christmas Season for some reason, usually that happens at Easter. So yesterday was a Choir singy song sacrament day. It was pretty cool all the way up until the last song that was sung. The congregation sung Silent Night while the Choir sang another song. Within the first few words I began to cry. The spirit wrapped around me and wouldn't let go. I can honestly say that I know the true meaning of Christmas now. I love the Savior and all that he has done for me!! 

Scripture for this week is a Talk given by Elder Marcus B. Nash called Joseph Smith: Strength out of Weakness...

To sum up the talk, it is about how Joseph Smith was prepared to be a Prophet and help in the Restoration of the Gospel. One of my favorite lines in the talk is when he was talking about weaknesses...

"...out of weakness, Joseph was made strong-strong enough to do 'more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men' (D&C 135:3) than any other prophet in all history. Our unchangeable God will likewise make you and me strong out of weakness-if we will turn to Him in faith with full purpose of Heart, as did Joseph."

Our weaknesses can be made into strengths. Amen. Hallelujah! God be praised!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Elder Northrup

I found me a license plate!