Semana 11

Hey y'all! How is everyone doing? This week has been awesome and pretty much the same as every week before. A lot of teaching and a lot more finding. I am starting to get the hang of everything and I can confidently say that I am able to teach a pretty good lesson on every doctrinal point in Preach My Gospel. We taught a few new people this week and it was great. We had transfers this last Wednesday and my comps and I are staying in the same place since it just opened up last transfer. Being inside all day is kinda rough but I'm starting to like it better now that it is getting cold outside. We had our first snowfall on Friday but it wasn't cold enough for it to stick. We had a pretty awesome holiday this past week! Nope, not Halloween... daylight savings! We got an extra hour of sleep and that is prized in the eyes of a missionary! 

It's Rainy here

There is this one 19 year old boy in our branch, his name is Xhavier and his family immigrated here from the Philippines. He is starting the at home MTC in December. He is the branch clerk which is pretty funny. Anyways, he works at the dollar general and his boss absolutely loves him and he even came to church a few Sunday's ago. We had an in person lesson with him and he wants to know more about the church. He surprisingly knew so much about our church and he even started reading the Book of Mormon! We try to keep our lessons pretty short and concise usually about 20 minutes or so and this lesson was a solid hour and 45 minutes. The man is so genuine and we could tell he really respects us. We told him to ask Xhavier to bear his testimony about the Book of Mormon to him at work the next day. We got a call from Xhavier and he said that when he shared his testimony to Bill, he was crying and he even referred to us as the three wise men hahah. I have him fooled! 

Yardy Know

Yeah, the work is pretty slow in my area but it is picking up. Some Elders found 35 new people to teach in a week and I was like what the heck hahaha. I am excited with where everything is going to go and I am so blessed to be out here.

Welcome to New York

I want to share a scripture with you all that his been on my mind recently. It's not easy being a missionary... especially when you are forced to stay inside all day and only make phone calls. 

Alma 26:35-36
35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

I know that here is where I need to be and that God is watching over me. I am blessed to know that God loves me. Even when I feel like nobody does, I know that I can always rely on God and his grace to get me through. Which is why I am so grateful to boast in him and praise him for the many blessings I have been given. 

I love you all! I hope you have a great week!

-Elder Scown

Love all my people