The #1 Rule of Driving

Hi family!

It was so much fun to see you on Christmas. It looks like you are all happy and enjoying yourselves back on the mother ship. I am very happy where I am at. There are a lot of fun things happening in the mission right now and I am very happy to be part of it. This past week was a little hectic due to the Christmas festivities happening all around. It was a fun week though. The big thing that we are focusing on in our area is finding more people to teach. Finding has always been something that hasn't been that hard to me throughout my mission, but it’s a little bit more tricky here in Almaden. I am sure we will find more people though. It’s only up from here!

Spiritual: I have the chance and wonderful opportunity to live with three other terrific missionaries in my apartment. One of them is younger, about 6 months out and the others have been out about the same time as I have. It’s very interesting to me to see this younger missionary go through some of the same struggles as I went through at the first part of my mission. It was an even better feeling to realize that Heavenly Father had prepared me to be able to help out in these situations. It was really rewarding to recognize the hand of Heavenly Father in placing us together. Missionaries and all people who are trying to follow God go through cycles in their desire to worship and come closer to Deity. Sometimes missionaries will become overly energetic in the service and work hard while not necessarily working smart. When that happens saints tend to get a little frustrated and focus in on some of the smaller points of the gospel and miss the mark at little bit. They become confused and feel like they have these confusing problems that are seemingly too impossible to answer. The answer to this situation is simple. It focuses on some of the more pure principles of the gospel. It’s so important to realize that Heavenly Father works in small and simple things. He asks us to do small simple acts of obedience and line upon line he builds our faith. This building line upon line is another term for diligence. When we are diligently obedient we feel the spirit build within us and we are more able to be guided by it. The other principal to realize in this circumstance is that Heavenly Father works in small and simple things. The adversary works in ways that are confusing and seem bigger than anything else. If you feel confused or like there is some uncontrollable problem surrounding you, remember to be diligently obedient and remember that God provides peace and not confusion. I am so grateful for a Savior that made this life possible and that provides that pristine peace into our lives. I know that His Atonement is real and has the power to change our desires and our hearts. It is of him that I bear testimony. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Funny: This past week we were driving to an appointment and there was a car right in front of us that was going super slow. There was a red light ahead of us so I switched into the other lane and we pulled up next to them. I looked over and by golly they were breaking rule number one of driving. No canoodling in the car. It was definitely a horrific event for us to behold. I looked straight at Elder Fisher and yelled! Look at my eyes! Don't look! Don't you do it! We were scarred missionaries. So remember, don't break rule number one of driving. Kissing and Cars don't mix!

Where I am at: This week we get to work in our area all week long! Yay! I am so excited! I love doing missionary work! I feel comfortable now where I am at. I am excited for what this week will bring. The Lord is in charge of this work and it is so nice to know that all I have to be is a tool in his hand. It’s so AWESOME!! Christmas time and the Christmas season is an incredible time of year. It was so special to be in the Christmas devotional for the mission and just have tears stream down my face. I wasn't sure if it was from the lack of protein, lack of sleep or the spirit that was causing this but it felt so incredible. Boom. I love this gospel. I love Jesus Christ. I love this, my mission! I love you all!

For his mission Christmas talent show Ammon and his companion sang their version of Voice Male's "Tractin' in a Winter Wonderland" (but since there is no tracting in his mission they called it "Finding in a Winter Wonderland" and changed the words a little). He had a great time with this.