Black Hole Year

From: Dustin Thelander <dustin.thelander@myldsmail.net>

Happy New Year everyone. This year was a great one. In 2015, I graduated from high school and am now on a mission. I'd say pretty good. Now this year, 2016, will be wholly dedicated to the mission field and to the Lord. I feel so blessed to be able to serve for this whole year. Some missionaries refer to an entire year in the field as a black hole year. I'd like to call it the best year I could live. Never again will I be able to spend a full year of time dedicated to such an amazing work.

Tuesday was fantastic. We finally got to meet with Billy Ortiz again. He had essentially been avoiding us, but this time he actually showed his face, and we taught him a great lesson. He has been struggling a bit in school, so he has been stressed. We had dinner over with Juan y Jocelyn and had a Chiptole style bowl which was fantastic. Also, once again Janel joined us in a lesson as we taught the Plan of Salvation. She was great and even helped explain some things to her daughter Jocelyn. The only trouble is when the invite to church came, she just said it is not for her. Next step is finding out her concerns. In other news, Paul, our recent convert, went to a youth activity down the hill to a place called Scandia. He went down with all of the youth and had a great time. In fact, he is making great friends and loves coming to church. Bummer was that he got sick after Sunday night and couldn't come to church.

Miracle time. We went over to the less active Rutter's house and had an amazing lesson on church, prayer, and reading (CPR). It was at this time that brother Rutter committed to come to church. He has said this before, but when it came time for the church meeting to start, there was brother Rutter talking to some members. It was amazing to see him there. Another miracle came when we went over the the kids house on Saturday. Micalea had a friend over, Kathleen. She sat down and had a lesson with us and has real interest in the church. She had been to the ward Christmas party, and after we taught her she accepted the baptismal invitation. Then Sunday rolled around, and she came to church with Micalea. This is amazing for her, but may even be better for Micalea because she hasn't been out to church in a couple of weeks, and we think it is because she needs a friend. Well, she solved that one for herself and invited a friend of her own. After church Sunday, we were able to meet with the Marello's for the first time in a while. They have just bought a house and are moving Saturday, so we discussed the move and also taught them a lesson. Big bummer is that they are moving like 100 yards out of the ward, so we will have to pass them off to some other great elders.

We are so blessed to have people to teach. We have a good number of people on date to be baptized, and we literally have to work our butts off and pray that the spirit touches them all. It will take a lot of work, but I know that each of them can receive the answers they are looking for if they just pray with faith. Oh, and going to church and reading the scriptures are essential as well. I love you all so much. I am so excited for this year to serve the Lord but I miss you like crazy.

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Scripture of the week this week comes out of the Book of Mosiah 4th chapter 30th verse, "But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not."

Love,

Elder Thelander

PS sorry this is short, the library closed early today in honor or in remembrance of the shootings last month. And, the first photo is me in the helmet my friends, Mitchell and Landis, sent me. So that explains that. The second is me with my companion Elder Infanger and some cute puppies.