Happy 4th and Happy Hump Day!

Hello family and friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

New Cumberland, PA

Check it, HUMP DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How insane is that I've been on my mission a year!?!?!?!? Wow! This past year on my mission has been absolutely amazing.  There have been miracles and wonderful friendships!!!!!! I have really seen the gospel change people for the better and literally change their life.  It has changed their weaknesses into strengths and helped them to see that there is hope, there is a reason for trials- for these hard things, and that there a reason to live!! We all have a purpose and even though we may not see it, God does and He'll help us find it if we are willing to let Him take the guide us in the direction He wants us to go. That's really difficult- to hand over our life to God- our time, our wants, our wishes; but if we do, He will show us a brighter future and a better life!!! It's very scary because we are unsure what's going to happen or what's going to be the end result but if we trust in Him he can change or circumstances, our mindsets and our
abilities.  Now I've seen the hand of God in this work but I have also seen the hand of God in my life personally.   This last year I've really let God into my daily life.  I don't just look or reach out for God when I'm hurt or when I feel hopeless or when I am truly overjoyed.  I invite Him and His spirit into my constantly.  We all need to keep that relationship strong so that
we can know what it is that God needs us to do so; that we may do His will.  I'm still trying to understand what God would have me do.  I have learned so many lessons!

I'm going to try and answer all of you questions! My mission has gone by fast at times and other times it's gone by pretty slow.   I live in a town called New Cumberland and it's like the rest of Pennsylvania- a lot of 2-3 story homes that are
close together with little to no yards in the front! So I'm in the Lewisberry Ward (it's a little bigger than Olean congregation but smaller than the Wexford ward).  We haven't gotten fed a whole lot here. Not complaining.   There are a lot of older, single sisters in this ward and it's difficult for them to feed us. This area is not like Wexford though where you having people driving BMW's or Jaguars from place to place but it's all good- I like it here!!!! So not sure the plans for today (4th of July).  We are eating dinner with members and I'm not sure if we are watching fireworks or anything like that. I am glad you enjoyed Addams Family.  I remember last year we saw Beauty and the Beast.  I remember Sister Wakan and she did a great job playing Mrs. Potts so I bet she did fantastic as Morticia!  My cousin, Jennifer, is going on a mission!?!?! That is awesome she will be by Africa!!!  I feel like there are a lot more girls wanting to serve and serving a mission! Ok hold up.
What!?!?!?!? Austin benched 225!?!?!? What the heck?  I could barley do that my Senior year.Good for you Austi!  Way to put it up man!!!!!!! You are going to be so much bigger than me by the time I get home.  So I'm pretty sure Pennsylvania is patriotic because I saw stuff up for 4th of July and it wasn't even June yet.  People always put up decorations for holidays a lot sooner than what I've usually seen so they're on the ball!!!!!!! So some goals I have for the end of this year one is to finish the New Testament and to make getting up early something I enjoy rather than lament.   The lessons I do learn here on my mission are ones I want to take back home with me.  I don't want to say, "Oh, that was a good experience" and not apply at home the things I learned here.  That would be absolutely pointless.  I don't want to be the same person I was before.  I want to be the same person at home as the one I am out here.  Alright so there's all of your questions answered I hope! 

This week was started off really well!!! Every Tuesday we go and do service at the West Shore Senior Center and it's a lot of fun.  We talk and help pass out food.  I definitely haven't done as much service as I did in Ambridge; however, it's good to be out and doing missionary work!  As we were walking home on from the Center on Tuesday we passed by the R family who are members.  They were cutting their grass so we stopped and offered our help.  This was the first time I think a member accepted our help- it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was so grateful that they said "yes" to our help because a lot of the time we ask but they say they don't have anything for us to do.  I want to tell you guys that if a missionary or home teacher or visiting teacher ask for help they MEAN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!  They aren't just saying that because someone is telling them to.  They
say it that because they legitimately want to help!!!!!!!! So if you have any of these 3 people over and thy ask if there's anything they can do- think of something!!   Let others help!!!!  Let me tell you, you would not believe how happy I was.  We  mowed the grass and picked up dog poop and rocks in the heat of the day with humidity and you know what?  I didn't even care in the SLIGHTEST!!!!!!!!!!  My other highlight of the week:  we've been doing a lot street contacting- talking to everyone we see on the street, on their porch or wherever!  We haven't had much success doing that but one experience stuck out to me.  His name is P.  He saw and talked to him on our way to our investigators P and K (which is another highlight).  We start talking to P about basketball which eventually leads us to talk about families.  He took us to his house and showed us pictures of his family as well as books that have helped him get closer to God.   He didn't believe in a religion here on earth and we told him that Jesus Christ set up a church on this earth and we showed him the Book of Mormon.  He wasn't having anything of it but when he read Moroni's promise- and I'm not kidding you- when he read it and the way he read it, it was SO powerful!  He  then took the BOM and promised to read and pray about it.  The stinky thing is is that P moved and we don't know where. :(  He told us that he feels that we were sent to him from God.  We prayed with him and during the prayer he cried.  He told us how grateful he was to us for sharing the things with him.  If we hadn't talk to him and been willing to open our mouths, we never would've had that experience.  I had not seen any success with street contacting since I began here in New Cumberland but because we were so willing to try and talk to everyone we saw and we showed our faith that even though we had been unsuccessful, we were still willing to try, the Lord put P in our path!  If we show God that we are willing to try, He will bless us. 

Another highlight this week:  our investigator, S, is just so willing to change.  He is a Jesus freak and he loves it!! He has pictures of Jesus on his walls- basically everywhere in his house.  Let me tell you a little about S.  He has some mental disabilities but he is high functioning.  He is the funniest guy you'll ever meet.  He can talk about subjects he likes for hours!!! He absolutely loves planes, loves Jesus and loves his family!!!!! He could be buddies with Deiter F. Uchtdorf.  They would get along great!!!!!  The best part is we set a baptismal date of August 20th and he accepted!!!!!!  We are going to keep him on that path and help him to do focus and do all that he needs to!!!!!!!



Petting deer at the Zoo

We went to the zoo for Pday today and then to a less active's house to light off some fireworks.  It was pretty fun! I'll send you guys pictures.  Love ya.  Take care.  Have a great week- make it a good one!  Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

Lovin' on baby goats (kids)

Llama lips!