Well everyone, looks like its Monday again. I honestly don’t know where the weeks are going, it really seems like a blink of an eye and then its p-day again. I’ve only got about 15 more of these left, which I guess seems like a lot when I think about it, but honestly they’ll be here and gone like nothing. Anyway, now that the surreal thought of the week is out of the way, let’s get down to business!
Shon’s baptism happened this last Saturday, with the confirmation on the same day. It continues to amaze me how powerful the Holy Ghost is when we just open our hearts, and there really is nothing He can’t do. Shon’s adoptive grandma gave a short talk on the Holy Ghost and spoke about how He prompted Shon’s mom to adopt first his younger sister Camille, and then a year or so later He prompted her to adopt Shon as well. I know that what she said is true because of the light and joy this gospel has brought into Shon’s life, and the light and joy Shon has brought into the lives of his family and us as we’ve taught him. He’s truly an incredible kid, and now he’s part of an incredible gospel family.
Another really awesome part of last week was stake conference in the Israel Canyon stake, particularly the leadership and adult sessions on Saturday. Yes, I thought both sessions were wonderful and I came away spiritually fed. No, it wasn’t because in one of them we watched a scene from Moana and related it to ministering, or because the stake president did a phone survey about google reviews he’d read. Well, maybe just a little. The theme for the conference was “The Aloha Spirit”, which if you think the way I think, was a little profound, pretty ridiculous, and slightly racist for an all-white stake presidency to do. But to be honest, the message hit right home on what the stake needed and made me think a lot about what I can do to improve as a minister to others and as a good friend and neighbor in general. Moral of the story: don’t judge a book by its cover.
Everything I’ve talked about took place on Saturday and a little bit Sunday. The rest of the week was slow and kind of boring. We were stuck inside most of Monday night, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday while Elder Wood recovered from his wisdom teeth surgery. I capitalized on the time and finished reading the Old Testament (which means I finally officially graduated from seminary, Lisa!). I guess we did have zone conference on Friday, I got to conduct and we gave two 20+ minute training sessions, so that’s exciting too. But yeah, the gospel is still true. Always has been, always will be. Sometimes I don’t show it, others times I try way too hard, but I really care about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church that espouses it, and I really care about all of you as well. Thanks again for all you do, and thanks for bearing with this book I wrote today. See y’all next week!
Elder Orchard
Elder Johnson, Wood, and Me with Shon after his baptism
He was more interested in his gifts then in talking to people
In case you didn’t believe me about Moana...
We found out why one of our mini fridges stopped working
One of Shon’s baptism pictures where he looks like a G
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