Jack Frost is a Silly Billy

Well, from what I hear basically nobody has heard from me in a couple weeks. So I guess I'll just give a quick little update about what happened other than this previous week. 

*update*

Christmas happened. I talked to the Fam. New Years Happened. Amen.

This week has literally flown by. I couldn't even believe that it was P day today. Last P day we got a text from the High Council saying that a Lady that used to be investigating wanted her house to be dedicated/blessed. So we were able to go over there and do that for her. Hopefully we can start teaching her soon. 

On Tuesday a Pastor named PASTOR PETER of the African Baptist Church requested a Bible from us on mormon.org so that was cool. We had him read from it, and we committed to make a return appointment so we will see how that goes.

Thursday was a day of cold and biking. The other Elders had the car and were in Conyers doing an exchange with the ZL's. That day we had received a Bible referral from a guy at the top of our Area. So we biked all the way to his house just to find he wasn't there yet. So we tracted the entire neighborhood, found a couple people and decided to go back to the apt because it was getting late. When we were about 1/10th of the way into the ride, both me and Elder Braun had to stop because our hands were dying. So we warmed them up a bit and said a prayer that we would be able to get home safely (it being late with incredibly bad drivers and no bike lane). When we were just across the street from the apt there was a super warm feeling coming over my body. I didn't realize until after that this was a sign of hypothermia...? I guess that would make sense being in that amount of cold for 7+ hours.  But in the end, it was kinda fun. I just kinda have the perception that eventually when I am older and I look back on these experiences I'll just laugh. 

Saturday was pretty goochy. Elder Braun had his first experience with Bible Bashing!!! WHOOHOO!!! 

We were tracting in the boonies of our area where all the houses are super spread out, until we got to this house with a big cross in the yard. When we knocked on the door a man came to the window and said "meet me at the garage" because all of his dogs were making a ruckus. Something within already told me that this guy wanted to bash. I could see it coming from a mile away. We ended up spending about an hour and a half talking to this guy. It was terrible. On the bright side, I was able to get the last word in without him interrupting. I asked him a few questions that every baptist can't answer or their answer will be completely bazaar. It was Awesome!! 

I mean, no don't bash. It's really really really bad! You shouldn't do it. It's definitely not a good thing to do. But for this specific bashing sesh, I just had to.  HAHA whatev's its over and done now. 

Well, since it seems like nobody got the letter from last week I'll just use the same spiritual thought from the other email...

Yesterday in Gospel Principles we were talking about the great day of Judgement. One of the members asked everyone what they might feel when they enter Gods presence(rhetorical question). Right when he asked me that, the scripture Alma 36 came into my mind. This is when Alma is talking to Helaman about his rebellious years.

14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

The Miracle of the Atonement is that we don't have to wait for a New Year to change, to break bad habits, or conquer addictions. We can change from week to week, day to day, and hour to hour. How sweet the Joy from repenting, changing, making that necessary U turn!! 

Have a great week!!! Love yall!!

Elder Northrup