Mountains to Climb

The title of this week’s email should be Mountains to Climb. Or the Loving the Mountains I Have Climbed.

This week was awesome, it was sad, it was crazy, it was funny, it was every emotion you can possibly imagine, and it’s opposite. It was one of those weeks.

Funny: Last night we went to the Outgoing Fireside for returning missionaries and it was super fun! We took a recent convert, Jeff, with us and as we were driving back it was very apparent that there was absolutely nothing to talk about. So what did Elder Black do? Elder Black did what he does best. Start telling jokes. For the most part it was really fun but, an hour of Elder Black’s comedy routine was getting pretty old by the end of the drive and he started to progressively go faster and faster down the road. I could tell he really was not finding these jokes very enjoyable. We finally got to our destination and he let us out of the car and made a quick escape inside the house. I thought they were really funny. tehehe I hope he doesn't go inactive. 

 Spiritual: I want to tell you about my mountain. His name is Elder Kerby. Not going to lie, the first time I saw him I stopped and had to ask myself how long I would have to be with him. It was from the beginning a challenge to love him not because of anything that he did, but because of where my heart was at. I was too overcome with pride and independence to really allow myself to love him. It was hard. so hard. I had to be humbled and I promise that if you really want something, and stick with that problem for a long period of time and pray for help from the Lord, He will bless you abundantly. I love Elder Kerby. A lot. It didn’t start like this. We didn’t get along for a long time, but I had a desire for it to get better. That was about all I had. I wanted our relationship to get better and that was it. I was willing to work for it and pray for it but that was about all I had going for me. It was really hard. I poured my soul out in prayer to the Lord asking for him to strengthen ME and change ME so that I could love him. I couldn’t do it on my own. I tried really hard. Now Elder Kerby and I are BEST of FRIENDS. I don’t want to sound selfish and say it was all me that changed and I found a magic way to work together because in no way shape or form was it me. This blessing of a more solid relationship was a true gift from the Lord and I was but the tool to make it happen. When you are faced with a problem the Lord will often times not change the problem you are going through, but will change you to get you through the problem. The only things I had was 1) a desire for things to get better. 2) Humble, personal, real intent prayer. 3) Drive to do anything the Lord asked of me. 4) Faith that the Lord would hear my prayer. He did. I love Elder Kerby so much. He has truly changed me and set a definite course for the rest of my mission. I look up to him so much. Few men are as inspired and as powerful and as incredible as Elder Kerby. No matter the mountain, the Lord will help you climb it. 

Where I am at: As per the way the Lord works, right after I get super attached and learn how to truly love Elder Kerby, he leaves. Sigh. Oh boy. Yep! He is getting transferred and the zone is completely changing. It’s crazy! There is a lot of change coming. He leaves on Tuesday and I will find out then who my new victim, I mean companion will be. ;) Things are really going good. We have another baptism planned for the 21st and besides that we have a few people who are very good potentials. Pleasanton is AWESOME!!! 

 From the beautiful beaches of Monterey, Elder Black wishes a Merry Christmas. 

Bryan and Brandon's baptism (not sure which is which...)