Trial By Fire!

Honestly, this week has been a really rough and tough week to deal with. In the end I know it has helped me grow, and I know the Lord's hand was always there even if I couldn't see Him. 

Last PDay we went down to Conyers again to say goodbye to all of the people getting transferred. That was kinda lame, some of my favorite people were leaving. Our ZL was being transferred as well, and he was so cool. He actually reminded me of a friend back home, and if he is reading this, he knows his name is "the one the only Nolan Welch." The ZL that was leaving is Elder Reading and I was luckily able to get a pic with him before so that was Gucci! 

Me and Elder Reading  (aka Nolan Welch)

We were able to watch the Awesome broadcast with President Nelson, President Oaks, and President Eyering. It was such a cool experience to have a new First Presidency and to see how organized the Church is even in times like these. I guess when the Lord leads and guides the Church directly, there is no room for any mess ups unless it be the fault of Man. 

Wednesday snowed and it was bad enough that Pres. Foote told all of us to stay inside. So that stunk!! We mostly just studied and read while we were there. I don't really know why we aren't allowed to go out, even if we were just on foot. They said we couldn't drive because nobody here knows how to drive in snow, so that makes sense. But why can't we go knock doors or something. IDK oh well

Friday was a day of service for sure. We went to the Horse Ranch to split some wood. We've actually been splitting wood a ton this week! We even split some wood this morning before we came to email. Anyway, then we went to Doyle Hartman's house to help take Christmas stuff down. 

A guy in the ward got his mission call to Denver Colorado. He is such a cool guy and I am so excited for him! He'll do great!

Now I guess to get to the title. To make it short and to the point, all of our progressing investigators dropped us and we are without a teaching pool. One investigator that we were teaching yesterday was literally about to have a Baptismal Date (we were talking about a time for baptism) and then his mom told him we couldn't come over anymore. This has happened many times this week, and I know the Adversary has been tempting me to just call it quits but I'm not gonna give up. I am doing my best to keep the hope that there is still someone here that needs to here the Gospel message. That has really helped me keep an optimistic perspective, along with seeing this for what it is....a growing/humbling experience. Somewhere along the road I will be able to look back at this moment and know it was for the better. Just need to see that for what its worth right now. 

The scripture for this week is in Moroni 1. At this point the Lamanites are hunting down everyone that believes in Christ, and obviously Moroni has to hit the dirt running. This is my favorite scripture from that book.

2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.

3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.

Moroni must've been extremely lonely, but through all of the trials and tribulations he persevered and pushed through his challenges. I know that is true. 

Love yall

Elder Northrup

Me and Elder Bell

Weed just lying on the ground