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Making transfer calls at the office
with the local Zone Leaders |
August 24, 2015
Hey guys!!
It sounds like it’s been an exciting week for everyone! First of
all, congrats on the new calling, Dad!! That
is so exciting. I wish I could've been there for all of that. The young men
will certainly miss you, however! I
can't imagine young men's without Dad! But
you will be a great counselor, and I am excited to hear more about how it goes,
and to work alongside of Bishop Wride. He
is such a great, loving, inspired man!
Sounds like the sprinklers have been throwing you all for a
loop. I fully take the blame for that
one – because I glued those puppies together, so it's probably my fault. I'm just glad that the patio didn't wash away
in our backyard swamp! Grandpa and Dad have fixed their fair share of
sprinklers in their days, so they are no rookies…I am sure this is nothing for
them.
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| Elder Moore is going home! :( |
Life here in Reno has been HECTIC like no other, but I have loved
every second of it. So Tuesday was transfer day, and just like 6 weeks ago, it
was non-stop all day. But this time was
even crazier because we had to move into a brand new apartment during the day,
so that after the transfer meeting, the two new missionaries who were going to
live there wouldn't be homeless! But it was so much fun. Going to the airport
to pick up all the greenies is just a total blast! It's funny because you can
often tell their personalities in the first few minutes...the quiet ones, the
upbeat ones, it is cool. It's also fun to announce all the new greenies and
their trainers, and they run out to meet each other. That part of the day is always full of
excitement.
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| Taking the departing missionaries to the temple |
On Tuesday, we didn't actually end up getting the Elders
apartment set up before the transfer meeting, because we had a few other things
come up. But after the meeting was over,
and we had dinner with the departing missionaries, we had to run up and move
them in, and that didn't happen until like 10-10:30 at night, so we didn't get
home until around 11 – and we still had to plan for our day on Wednesday. So all in all, it was a long day. I really
didn't think in a million years that I would drive a trailer more on my mission
than during any other time in my life! But
all week we have been moving missionary’s furniture. So we have been driving the van and trailer
all over the mission – so you know that I have been in heaven all week...
A few days ago, we were going into a skilled nursing center to
visit a member of our ward who is a quadriplegic. He enjoys having us come by
and read the scriptures to him and talk for a few minutes. As you can imagine, he gets pretty bored just
staring at the ceiling in his room all day, every day. But anyways, we were
going into visit him, and this random lady drove up, honked at us, and waved us
over to her car. She then said in broken English, "Hey – my Mom needs a
blessing, can you give her one?" Once
I realized it was broken English, I started speaking to her in Spanish, and her
face just lit up with relief. It turns out that she is a local member of the
Spanish branch in Sparks, and her mother (who is a member also) was really sick
and in need of a blessing. She had tried calling the
Spanish missionaries and
the Elders’ Quorum president, but couldn't get in touch with anyone, so she
just drove to the care center, and there we were! So we went in, and I explained the situation
to Elder Freeman, and he agreed to go and help her. And then Freeman asked if
the blessing was to be in English or Spanish, and I hadn't thought about that!
But as it turned out, she preferred Spanish, so Elder Freeman anointed the
older Hispanic lady in English, and then I gave the blessing and sealed the
anointing in Spanish. I was super nervous, because it was only the second
blessing I had ever given in Spanish!! I was so worried that I wouldn't know what
to say, or how to say it, but the Lord blessed me, and it turned out fine. At
church yesterday, we ran into the daughter and asked how her mom was doing, and
she said that she is doing much better! I know that Heavenly Father placed us
in her path at just the right moment. I know that the priesthood power is a
real thing. I am grateful that I have been able to learn Spanish, and I am
grateful that the Lord blesses me with the words I need when I need them. It was
such a testimony-building experience for me.
As we spend more time with President Chesnut, it has been cool
to slowly get to know Sister Chesnut. She is such a funny lady; I love her so
much!! She has been spending quite a bit
of time out with the local sisters here in the Reno/Sparks area, and it is
funny to hear her perspective on how lessons go. She recently went out with a
set of sisters, and they guy they were teaching was giving them a lot of
trouble, and she said, "I just wanted to hit him over the head with a
baseball bat!" Hahaha we all got a kick out of that, because we often feel
the exact same way!! It was just funny to hear it come from her.
I have been asked to speak on the Book of Mormon in Sacrament
next Sunday, so I started preparing my talk today…just kinda putting some
thoughts down on paper. But as I was doing that, the Holy Ghost testified to me
once again of its truth and divinity. What a great, powerful, book!! I have no
doubt in my mind of what it says in the introduction: "It puts forth
the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what
they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to
come." What a powerful statement! It has definitely brought
peace to my life, and I know it can bring the same peace to anyone. They just have to read it and apply it with
an open heart and a sincere desire. The Book of Mormon is no doubt the best and
most powerful tool that I have to use as a missionary. Despite all the
technology that we now have, the Book of Mormon was the thing that the earliest
missionaries used, and it is the best thing we have to use now. Elder Freeman
and I have made it a goal to use the Book of Mormon in every possible teaching
situation, because we know of the great power that it has.
I know that anyone can feel of that same power by just simply
opening it and reading it. If you are reading this and haven't read the Book of
Mormon before, this is your invitation to do so, and try it out! I know it is
true.
I love you guys so much!! You all truly inspire me to work
harder and keep going, (even when it's hotter than the devil's armpit
outside....) But have a great week!!
Love,
Elder Todd
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