Elder Drake McFall: Week 52 - The Weather Outside is Frightful

Okay it (the weather) isn't that bad, but it sure is lookin' a few shades whiter this last week. The air has gotten a bit chillier, but we are blessed and have a car and things to do so we aren't in the snow and cold too much. Well besides doing exchanges like every week which seem to always be to walking areas.. It is so nice to be able to work with these young missionaries and really see how we can help them and how I can influence them to truly achieve their potential. I remember when I first came out, the way that I looked at my mission leaders, how much I thought they knew, makes me think, do these young missionaries think the same things about me?! Jeez, hopefully I can make 'em proud and help them all out.

There are miracles in Edmonton I tell you. Especially miracles amongst these Filipinos. I will start there, and this week we in total found 4 new investigators that are Filipino. One individual who has a family, and another mom and two kids. The one individual, Bayani, is definitely more prepared than the others and seems to be more willing to act on the message and accept it, but who am I to make that judgment. It is all in the Lord's hands at that point. We met with him and he really likes the message we have. He isn't super religious, has a faith, but not doing much about it. So this looks like one that we should be able to really step in and help. The other small family is Ana, Aileen and Vicky. They are more of trying to get questions about religion all settled in their minds. They are a member referral, which helps, and the member basically spent the whole night following our meeting just answering questions and basically teaching another lesson. Hopefully that is one that will also pan out.

Another miracle that happened this week, Lisa and Allen (the family here in Bearspaw) came to church for the 2nd week in row. We didn't have a chance to meet with them, our one appt got cancelled late in the week but they came to church and this time even stayed for Sunday School. The ward has been doing really well of fellowshipping them and getting them involved as much as possible. It is the most rewarding experience to see a family that truly is seeking the gospel find something and not just look into it as a factual experience, but rather, put it to the test and then they have already began to see the blessings flow from it. We are hoping to meet with them this week, and hopefully get them on a baptismal date before Christmas. You know there are so many things that this gospel truly brings into our lives, especially in our family's lives, and this is something that can make all the difference if we but simply allow it to. I can't wait for it to continue to progress. The Lord is definitely interning at all the right times here, who woulda thought?!

One other really neat experience this week was with Taylor one of our investigators and his dad who is less-active. We went over there and shared the message on the Plan of Salvation. We have really been able to develop a good relationship with these two and things have been moving forward, not as quickly as we would hope but they are moving in the right direction. Okay little side note, that is probably one of the hardest things as a missionary, trying to be patient with progress. We just want these people to accept now now now! Okay and we are back.. so upon leaving and then seeing Pete at church(that is the dad) he was talking to a couple different fellas at church and I overheard him talking about how much he loved having us over and how much it has helped him. The less-active dad even stayed for the 2nd hour of church, something I haven't seen since I have been here.. He has been to church just a couple times in the last while but usually leaves right after they pass the sacrament, but it was different this time. Definitely a blessing of bringing the spirit into someone’s home and helping someone really relight the flame of their testimony.

All is well right now it does seem. Things are picking up in our zone in some regards. Hopefully it can stay that way before it really starts to get cold! We have been working really hard to get things between members and missionaries clicking and working hand in hand over the next while, it seems as though that is beginning to happen. Slowly but surely things will come together.

I hope all is well for you all! Have a great week!! I'll talk to you soon!

Love, Elder McFall

My 1 year mark!