Turkey Obtained

On Monday, November 28, 2016 4:24 PM, Dustin Thelander <dustin.thelander@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Hello everyone! I hope that you had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!! Mine was awesome, but I'll get to that a little bit later. On Monday, we had a really great Family Home Evening, and we had an awesome activity at a local park with a ton of turf fields. On Tuesday, I sat in on a great district meeting led by Elder Schenk. We talked a bit on prayer and its importance, and then we also touched on how the Book of Mormon supports the Bible. We then had to take care of some administrative things, and it was off to the park to contact some people. We met Kae and played some basketball with him. He is older and from China. He liked talking with us about Christ. He didn't necessarily want to hear more at a later time, but we had a great conversation with him. Then we got to do something really cool. He asked if we had a baseball. I happen to always keep my 3 gloves and some balls in our car. We got them out and played some catch with him. The cool part of this one is that it was his first time ever in his life throwing and catching a baseball.

Wednesday was pretty rough. We tried to stop by a ton of people, and we found no one home. I'm sure a lot had to do with the holidays, but it was still a tough day. There were, though, two highlights of the day. Number one, we found some indoor batting cages I will visit in the near future. Number two was another amazing lesson with Paul and Paula. They both really enjoyed our first visit and this one was to match. We taught the Restoration lesson and they could agree with pretty much everything. At one point Paula was a bit unsure on the Book of Mormon, but we helped her understand that the Book of Mormon supports the Bible which helped her a lot. Funny thing, we talked about that topic in district meeting. I love how the Lord prepares us. Later in the lesson, Paula asked us for a Book of Mormon and a pamphlet to give to the nurse that helps out Paul's father who lives with him. She is already doing missionary work- it is so cool. At the end of the lesson they accepted the invitation to be baptized. They are for sure the coolest people ever! I love them.

Thursday was the Thanksgiving day, and it was sweet. The Peterson family had us over for lunch at around 11, and we had a fantastic meal with them. They have an awesome family, and we had a great time with them. After that we had to sit for a while to recover, and then we washed our car. When I got here it was in dirty shape, and we just now cleaned it, but now it is clean, yay. Then we went off to Thanksgiving number two. This was at the Zavalas, and it was a blast. We were there for a while, and then had to get back to the apartment to yet again recover from the onslaught of food.

Friday we did service for a family in the Diamond Bar area. They were moving apartments after, sadly, this woman's 14 year old daughter committed suicide. Such a tragic story. This girl was incredibly talented and had everything going for her, but on the inside felt darkness and thought there was no escape aside from death. I just wish she could have seen her worth to others, especially in the sight of God. I don't think many of us grasp how much He loves us. He will help us though anything, and he can because of His Son Jesus Christ. He knows our situations perfectly. Please if you feel alone, let Him help you. This amazing mother is now feeling a bit of peace, and she attests this to the many prayers coming her way. Right now it is the knowledge of the blessings that are available to her as a member of the church that is keeping her going. Please send some prayers her way this week.

Saturday we picked up trash along Carbon Canyon road for service, and then we taught the Pito family and Sister Bean. Both loved our visits and came to church this week! In the morning, we went to knock on some doors, and we had no success. But, at the last door something amazing happened. An older lady answered and we talked for a bit. She didn't want to hear of our message, but then she offered us something- A whole, cooked turkey. Yes, that is right. We went inside to retrieve the bird, and as I am opening the fridge, she said, oh there is a full ham in there too I want you to take. So we walked out of there with a full turkey (a huge one at that) and a honey roasted ham. Score! We will be eating well for a while. Sunday was a good day at church and we had Leanna come out to the YSA ward. She hasn't had the lessons yet because she doesn't want to move too fast, but she really likes the church. I love you all so much, and I hope your Thanksgiving was great.

Scripture of the week is from 3 Nephi 17, verses 7-8, "Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy. For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethern at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you."

Love,

Elder Thelander