*Edit: I wrote this last Sunday, I just forgot to gather emails. If you know anyone that would like to get on the email list, let me know!
Hi everyone! I’ve been on my mission for about 2 months, but I totally forgot to start an email. I was called to a service mission in the Utah Saratoga Springs mission, and so far it’s been awesome! I’ve had some cool service opportunities. Here’s a breakdown of my week:
Monday - I’m singing in the Utah Valley Institute choir, and it’s been really fun! We’re doing a lot of songs ranging from the traditional TABCATS music to more evangelical Christian rock, gospel/spiritual music, and even a bluegrass song. We had an interfaith conference where some Evangelical Christians from California, and we sang one of our more evangelical songs for them called What A Beautiful Name It Is. They sang a song for us, and then we sang together. It was cool to see how other Christians worship, and it felt awesome to give praise to God together.
Tuesday - I got to go to the Kids Crew at the Primary Children’s Hospital, where you can basically play games with kids. It was super fun! I also had Zone Council, where we had a great discussion on the laws of obedience and sacrifice. It made me think of how I could better sacrifice a broken heart and a contrite spirit to God.
Wednesday - We sang our bluegrass song at an Institute devotional today, which was sick! We had a banjo, a mandolin, a bass guitar, and 2 fiddles. Sister Edwards gave the devotional, and she’s GOATED! She was my Seminary teacher in High School, and she has some awesome stories and such a powerful testimony.
I also got to work at the food bank at the Hospital, which is usually pretty slow, so I worked on some video editing over there. I edit the facebook ads that missionaries make, and add music and captions.
Thursday - I had Adaptive Needs Seminary over at Horizon School, which is awesome because I worked there before my mission helping with physical therapy. Sadly, I don’t teach any of the kids I worked with, but it’s been fun meeting new friends and teaching them the Gospel. It’s fun seeing my old coworkers there every once and a while.
I also went to the temple and did initiatories! I got to do initiatories as an ordinance worker last week, and it was nice to go as a patron and get more familiar with the ordinance. I also got to see Grandma Porter and clean at her house, which was super fun!
Friday - I had the Seminary again today, and then I had a meeting with Elder Fullmer about video editing, which was really good.
I had my temple shift! This is my third week as a temple worker, and it’s been such an amazing spiritual experience!
Saturday - P-day. I was pretty lazy today, but I did worked on video editing and played around with some personal coding projects.
Spiritual Thought - I really love one of the songs we are singing called Lord of The Small. The third verse stood out to me:
“Praise him, O praise Him all ye who live
Who've been given so much and can so little give
Our frail lisping praise God will never despise
He sees His dear children through mercy-filled eyes”
While there are times that I feel inadequate before God, it’s so important to remember that He’s my loving Father. He wants me to improve and become better, and He will be by my side as I do so. He loves us where we are, and He will be there to lift us up and strengthen us as we strive to become the people God wants us to be.
I love you guys!!!