Standing In Holy Places

 

Hey everyone!!

 Okay I'll get to things but I just need to say this has been one of the best weeks.

 Period.

 Now that I've said that, let me tell you why.

 - Starting off with my setting apart, everything felt right. I don't remember most of the blessing, but I felt a *physical* feeling of warmth after my stake president began.

- On Monday we started zoom classes. And ended them. For those who I haven't told, because of Christmas, the church can't send missionaries to the MTC next week. They ended up sending everyone a week early, and we only had one day of Home-MTC. Even though it was one day, and even though my companion, Elder Lederer, was not present during the first classes and so I met him after all the other companionships (he's awesome though, we've had great conversations and laughs the whole week), all the teachers and workshops were very powerful. Much of our district had a good time getting to know each other before meeting in person.

- After a lot of unpacking and greeting my district in person (10 Elders, 4 Sisters) we had two awesome devotionals each with incredible stories of conversion and the character of Christ.

- We had our first district council meeting on Thursday. For those who don't know, that's when we go over general topics the district needs to discuss, setting up any plans, and generally checking in on eachother. This meeting was for getting to know each other better, and one of the prompts was to tell why we each decided to serve a mission.

 

I cannot describe to you how much this changed the spirit and dynamic of our group. Everyone had something important to contribute and a powerful testimony. There were some who were very open about struggles they had, sins committed, doubts and concerns. We all just opened up. The best way I can describe what happened is this: We spent a day and a half together as a district--missionaries who were united in the common goal of bringing the true gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. In a matter of minutes, we went from that to a family. We eat together at almost every meal, we all are comfortable talking with one another, and I feel like I'm really friends with each of these people.

 

- Continuing, the spirit is EVERYWHERE on this campus. When you take grounds dedicated by an apostle, fill it with dedicated buildings, and then put thousands of people with powerful testimonies (even if they don't know it) on top, it is somewhere the Holy Ghost wants to be.

-My teachers are awesome. Not only are they fun and engaging with the class, but they are also very effective in helping us learn how to introduce and explain the gospel to those who may not understand or do not believe.

- Also, the chocolate milk is dope.

 I don't have time tonight for a spiritual thought, but I will normally put a spiritual thought in here at the end (credit to Jack Leonard for that)

 I love you all, so does God, and I'll talk to you all next week!

 

Elder Hymas