The Dread Pirate Robers Leaves No Survivors... (12/9/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

I don't know why that quote came to mind. It has nothing to do with anything that happened this week. It is just one of those really random Elder Wood moments that we all know and love. 

So since I last emailed, which I believe was on Wednesday, not much has happened besides office work. Christmas Zone Conference starts tomorrow! We have been working like crazy to prepare everything for it. I have done errands in preparation everyday of the week except for Thursday and i will get into the events of Thursday in a little bit. I am super excited for Christmas Zone Conference. It is funny that I am basically in the same Zone I was in for my first Christmas 

So on Thursday after District Meeting, I had exchanges with the Elders in my district. Until now, the only Elders in our district were the office elders and assistants, so it is always kind of hard to schedule normal exchanges.So this was my first time being the host of the exchange and itwas great. Elder M is a great missionary. We Found 4 new investigators, all about college age and we taught them about the Restoration. Later that night one of them texted us thanking us for sharing with them, but never responded to our text asking if they read and when would be the best time for us to come again. I learned loads from Elder M and I have been trying hard to apply the things that I have learned, especially on OYM (Open Your Mouth). Just like Elder Ballard said in his talk in October, if we open our mouths more we will have more people to teach. And just as it says in Preach My Gospel, nothing happens in missionary work until you find someone to teach.

In some other great news, Sister F is going to the temple for the first time tomorrow. I have been teaching for almost 9 months and she has come so far. She is going to the temple for the sealing of a member of our ward and she will receive her endowment at the same time as the bride and her mom. So cool! I wish I could go the temple. It has been a long time, but I know it will a very joyous experience to be able to go again with my family and friends in 10 months. 

As for the Sim family, we think that we may be on a course with them that will end in baptism this time. They told us that they wont be able to make their goal of December 28, because of the money it takes to get married. They were so sad to tell us that. We then had an FHE with them and some ward members on Saturday and Sister M said she will help them get together everything that they need to be married and listed off a bunch of members that work for the government that can help them get all of the paperwork done. Once Sister Simp finds her birth certificate, we will get them started. The Spirit was very strong during the FHE as we had a testimony meeting and everyone had the chance to share. Then the whole family came to church! But Th wasn't able to.

So that is about it for the week. I am adding on a picture of me in the Christmas Zone Conference Shirt that we made for the Zones. We made a different one for the office staff and President and Sister and I will send pictures of that next week. I just want to share to you all again how much I love this work and how much I love the Savior and am grateful for this opportunity to be one of his full time missionaries. This really is a once in a life time opportunity and we are all so blessed to live in this time. I know that Christ lives and we have the beautiful opportunity during this season to celebrate his birth. Mahal kita! Kita Kits!

Elder R Wood