Quarantine

This transfer has been good so far. We've spent a lot of time with Elder Feser and Elder Hedman (he's a TDWM missionary from somewhere in the SL valley and is in training), and the sisters, Hermana Johnson (she was serving in Guatemala) and Hermana Steveson (she's from Washington State). Everything was going great until an Elder in our district got caught up in Rona season. Yep, he tested positive for Covid19. So, for two weeks, our whole district locked down and put into quarantine.

Quarantine was the worst haha. We did our best to do what we could, but no one was really down for zoom lessons, and we had already called through our area book multiple times. All I'll say is that I had a lot of time to think and study. Although those 2 weeks seem like a fever dream, I can't remember much sadly. I mostly remember extreme boredom. It's all good though, because when we finally got out, it was so refreshing. Elder Cardwell and I may or may not have treated ourselves to lots of food and treats once we left haha. 

I don't have any updates for interested people or the ward, not much has happened since last time I emailed.

 

The district ran a 5K after quarantine. Elder Lyman was surprised to find that he wasn't much slower than when ran cross country and practiced every day.

 

Honestly, being here has really made me wonder what my purpose is here. Every day is virtually the same. We do the same things, walk the same 4 streets, meet the same members, and get the same reactions from everyone we meet. I'm not trying to complain at all, I'm just saying that being here has given me time to think.

From my perspective, there seems to be 0 progress, from day to day, week to week, and even month to month. It doesn't seen like we are making a difference. We get an occasional compliment from our bishop, or a member here or there, but for the most part, it seems like we don't have any impact. I know that's not true, the Lord is working through us in ways we probably will never see, but to us nothing seems to be happening. It's honestly really hard doing that from day to day haha.

I'm not depressed or upset or anything like that, don't worry. It's just hard because I want to give so much more to the members here and help people come unto Christ, and we really struggle to find ways to do that here.

Really quick, do you know those big buckets at waterparks that slowly fill up then dump down everywhere? My zone leader compared that to our work here. Each time we put forth effort, be obedient, pray and fast, and do our best to help others come unto Christ, it adds drops to that bucket. We can't see it adding it, or how much is in the bucket, but eventually all that will add up and something will come of it. That analogy has helped me out.

I don't know what the Lord has in store for me or where I fit into His plan, but I'm trusting that my efforts here are worthwhile for someone. It's definitely been hard, but I'm still enjoying representing my Savior Jesus Christ and learning more of Him. I'm so grateful for the special opportunity I have to grow closer to Him as I study and serve. I feel like there's few other places that do so as much as on a mission. For that, I'm so grateful.

I'll probably send another email next pday with transfers, and I'll probably put more positive stuff in there haha sorry, I'm really tired right now. I promise that I'm going well and that I am enjoying the work, it's just difficult, as missions always are.

I'm grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for the miracle of His birth, life, and resurrection. He is our Mediator and loves us more than we will ever understand. He is always there ready to help us. I love Him, and I hope that yall will try to bring more of Christ into your lives this Christmas season :)

Love y'all

Elder Lyman

 

 

During quarantine Elder Lyman went through the kitchen cupboards and reorganized them. Behind the plastic bags he found a fondu set. So he and his companion made fondu.