Would you like a glass of water...from our air conditioner?

Holy Cow what a crazy week! So crazy we only got to do our companionship study like 1.5 days out of the week... and one day I didn't get to eat lunch... Who has time when you're teaching the children of God? Haha... ha... ha... I could use a nap. In reality I am definitely very tired but I know I'm where I'm supposed to be doing the best thing I could be doing anywhere. I've already seen tremendous blessing for myself personally and for my family and I know I could never obtain them any other way. It's not a sacrifice if it's not hard. And Sacrifices bring forth the blessings of heaven. Let's talk about some highlights shall we?

~We taught a bomb FHE lesson on Monday about missionary work. We had members pretend to share the gospel with celebrities in random scenarios. The ward got super into it and it was really fun. At one point a missionary companionship was telling Taylor Swift how to get over her breakup by coming to Christ in Spanish! It was quite the night.

~We had the coolest guy come to tables named E--. His parents are super strict and he feels like he has to hide his religion addiction. He just loves Christ so much and wants to desperately find the right church but his parents would much rather prefer it if he were an alcoholic or did drugs. He gave us the best pep talk for being at tables. He literally ministered to me. I needed that.

~We had exchanges this week and Sister Andrus got to experience college life. It was overwhelming. But we slayed it and talked to so many people. For her, getting someone to smile is a success and I want to have that attitude. We may have accidentally left a member at UCF with our tabling stuff on accident... and we had to go back.. oops..

~ We had zone conference on Thursday which was much needed! It was very focused on member work and a lot that was said are things we're already trying to establish in our ward. Plus our new bishop is phenomenal and super on board with missionary stuff.

~Friday we took a road trip to Deland for Sister Russell's doctor appointment. It felt like Palm Bay. *tears*

~We heart attacked one of our member Homies. He does a ton for us so we wanted to make him feel appreciated.

~Oh yeah our AC got clogged and started leaking all over the place. So we had to go in with tablespoons to try and get the water out. There was soooo much water! Literally cups full.

I got a unique chance to minister to my companion last night. Sister Russell really struggles with her hip and occasionally it flares up really bad. I wasn't sure what to do but I tried everything I could. We were up later than usual and all that I could really do to assist in anyway was just be there for her and rub her back. Over the course of my mission there have been TONS of people who have been willing to minister to me. People have saved my life and I always feel guilty because they are so good and generous and I'll never be that person. I've been asking the Lord how I can give back or what I even have to offer. But last night as I rubbed her back I just thought "in a small way this is my moment to give back" I could've gone to bed, I could've felt like maybe she wasn't appreciating it. But that's not the point of service. Service isn't for a thank you. And that's something I've always struggled with. But last night I just sat there content to be of service in whatever way I could. In Gospel Principles our lesson was on service and I kept reflecting on how no matter what I do, my acts of kindness will never repay Christ for what he's done for me. But it can show my appreciation. 

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" 

Go out and serve someone today. What are you waiting for?

A guy with a weed whacker tried to sell us a $200 cigar

Another one down! It has been a pretty good week, very busy and chaotic. We took a little break on P Day and got pedicures with Emily from the ward. It was such a nice change of pace. Our schedule is literally packed to the brim. We barely have time to study and eat lunch or dinner. We are teaching lots of first lessons and continuing to see miracles. We have three people we are preparing to be baptized in the next few months. E--, F--, and J---. E-has some complication with work so he had to push his date back. But wow, it is such a beautiful thing to see these people coming to know their Savior. F-- is a referral from elders nearby and he is wanting to get baptized in 2 weeks! We told him if he wants to get baptized then he has to come to church every Sunday until then, obviously after too. He showed up yesterday! Hopefully everything will work out! Miracles happen when you work hard!

Tables as usually this week, we tried a Book of Mormon experience that didn't go too well... but it was worth the shot. We have some ideas, so hopefully those will be better. Had a meeting with our zone on Thursday where Sister Russell and I gave a fire training on Preach My Gospel chapter 3. We used the stories of David and Goliath to emphasize how having faith in 5 smooth stones, can help defeat the Goliaths in missionary work. We wanted to convey how even though Preach My Gospel is simple in its teaching, it is powerful if you have the faith sufficient. And just like David has 5 stones, we have 5 lessons. 

WE GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE ON FRIDAY AND OH MY HECK I LOVE THE TEMPLE! It is a pure haven from the world around me. So much peace is found there. Chris, Warren, Emily, Tori, and Alex came with us. Warren, Chris, and Alex did the session with us, and then we did baptisms after with Emily and Tori. What a beautiful day with beautiful people. I needed it so bad. I cried the majority of the time and then I cried when we had to leave but it was good to be home for a minute. The last time I had my entire family together was in the temple for my own endowment. And I probably won't ever be able to have that again until the celestial kingdom. It was nice to be that close to heaven. 

Afterwards we got BurgerFi after and it is delightful. If you come to Florida find a BurgerFi. It is to die for. 

On Sunday night there was a Worldwide YSA Devotional, a lot to do about the new book Saints. We went to Alex's apartment with a group of members to watch it. It started at 8 PM, so we got there in the dark. It is a sketchier area of Orlando and we had to park a little ways away and members came to walk with us. As soon as they told us how the neighborhood wasn't the best on our walk to the house, an old man walks down from a driveway, no shoes in craggy clothes, holding a weed wacker in one hand, and in the other a box. He yelled, "WANNA KNOW WHAT I JUST GOT FOR $20?!" We hesitated, but then he continued to yell, "REAL CUBAN CIGARS AND I'M GOING TO SELL THEM FOR $200" he proceeded to try to sell us Cuban Cigars.... just look down and keep walking. I giggled after thinking about how I'll probably never see that scenario again in my life.

Love crazy Orlando and all the crazies that come with it. Another busy week coming up where we will barely have a second to breath but what more could I ask for?!