Transfer 12, Week 3: Conference Weekend

Hey Everyone, 
               How's it going? Other than the possibly still Snow Bound friends of Fairfield Montana, is everyone still enjoying the warmer weather?  Or is it starting to get  chilly for you as well? It's definetly back to jacket weather for those who don't already wear one, in my opinion at least. 
                 So... this week has been different for many reasons, let alone General Conference and all the changes there as well. Oh Boy, one can only get excited for the upcoming months. Actually now that I think about it, General Conference was one of the only big differences in the week than previous ones this transfer. 
                  We do a fair bit of service here in Columbia Falls for a Thrift Shop called "Klothes Kloset". It is a lot of fun. During this week, I saw a little cute hoodie that would fit my little brother Max perfectly. But by the time I was going to pick it up, it was no longer there. :(. Welp, you win some some and lose others sorry Max! But I did find a great buy of a lightweight Seattle Jacket that fits me perfectly. So yeah! During this time at the Thrift shop each week, we talk to several nonmembers and have even invited them to the ward family history event this upcoming Saturday, so I hope they can make it. 
                   We had a lesson with a man named Al this week. He is super knowledgeable about the scriptures, and even believes in living prophets, and pretty much everything we do. I can see him being a member someday soon, We just need to figure out what he needs most at this point. 
                  Let's see, we've spent a fair amount of time this week trying to contact recent move ins for the ward. To be honest, I have no idea why we've been asked to do this. It isn't the purpose of missionaries, but the Elders Quorum and Relief Society, but they want us to do it... Not sure why.
                 We had a District Coucil with the Zone this week in Kalispell. I thought it was awesome, and allowed me to refocus. We discussed how to grow our faith, and have the faith to move the work foreward in our individual areas. It was inspiring and helpful as I have needed direction on where to go in my efforts here. 
                  Not only that, but General Conference was huge in that help as well for me. I particularily liked Elder Holland's, Utchdorf's, Johnson's, Anderson's, and Bednar's talks. They each individually helped me boost my confidence in myself and the Columbia Falls Area. I love General Conference for the opportunity to hear the prophet and the apostles speak to us. They are inspired men and allow us to find something within ourselves to change and build upon. Something that I felt was important that I want to share with you all comes from Elder Anderson's talk. In his talk he was speaking on being positive and how Satan can work at us. In specific something that I learned from his talk was that Satan will use negative thoughts and feelings, towards ourselves and others, to attack and distract us. The scriptures say that "what entices to do good is of God". That being said when we are doing our best to stay positive, Satan's influence on us diminishes, and the spirit of God will more easily and powerfully work within us for our benefit and the benefit of others. 
             Other parts of General Conference were great as well. I'm excited for April already based off what President Nelson said. I know that he is being directed by God to lead the Church. He is our prophet, and when we put whatever amount of faith we have in Christ and his ability to lead his Church, we will know and become willing to follow the prophet's divine direction. 
              Well, I think that just about wraps up my week this time. Zone Conference is this upcoming Friday, so I'm pretty pumped about that. I can't wait for the wonderful oppurtunity to come and continue to lean from God's Servants. I urge all of you to review what you have learned from Conference, and make plans to implement something that the Spirit has instructed you to do. I know that it will be a blessing to you. I hope you all have a nice warmer week and I'll talk to you next time. 

Love, 
Elder Sherwood

Pictures:

Companionship selfie at the Klothes Kloset.

Selfie stick selfie #1.

Selfie Stick selfie #2.

Elder Suckow taking a break.

Transfer 12, Week 2: Incoming Storms

Hey Everyone, 
             How are we doing this week? Is it still pretty warm wherever you are? Because it sure isn't right now in Columbia Falls. But I'll explain that a little later. Last week's email was rather short, so I'm going to try to give this one a better length. 
              So let's see, where to start? To be honest as I look through my journal for the week nothing really noteable stands out to me to retell this week. But I'm going to try to make it work anyway. I guess a good place to start would be... Throughout the week, we were kind of stuck to take it slower as Elder Suckow hasn't been feeling well. This week there were multple instances where we were stuck inside as He needed to take a nap so that he was feeling well enough to go to dinner. 
             Also, with the huge storm coming in. So early on in the week, we get advised about a huge Winter Storm warning for the weekend. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't really prefer to see snow before Halloween at the earliest. This storm though was and is supposed to be very snowy and cold for September. I'm really hoping it won't stay at this point. It stayed pretty nice out till about Friday. The winds started to really pick up hard core, clouds came over the Rocky Mountains from the East, and it only got darker and gloomier from there. Sunday the snow started to fall, and as far as I can tell, it's still coming down. But not sticking yet. Thank goodness. I don't want to have to crack out all the winter gear yet. 
          Oh, another thing I just remembered. So, Friday night we go to the home game right? Well It's Homecoming for Columbia Falls and they're playing Browning Montana. The game starts out really well. Columbia Falls takes an early lead in the game. By the end of the half the score is 26 to 8. The fans at this point are super excited. We think that this game is well played and we can keep it up. Well, 3rd quarter happens, Browning doesn't answer. 4th quarter Browning puts up a whopping 24 unanswered points to win the game in the final seconds 32-26. No one was expecting this to happen. Not only was it a fun night in the community, but very different than anyone would have expected. 
           To be honest nothing else really comes to mind for how the week went. All of our lessons canceled, we had a parade on Wednesday which was fun, but it wasn't very big. At the very least, this email is longer than last week's. And I should have a few more pictures. 
             Well, I guess I'll just bare my testimony real quick and wrap this up. Don't forget about General Conference this upcoming weekend. You never know how the spirit will touch your heart through something the prophet says. This is so true. The Work of God is real, and He is moving at a pace to wonder at. Stay happy out there, and don't freeze. Haha. 

Love, 
Elder Sherwood

Pictures:

At the Homecoming Football Game

Sunset before the storm.

A member sent this picture to my mom.

Hey Guys, 

         How are you all doing today? We're getting hit by a huge storm right now, and it's pretty rough. Honestly, I hope we don't get left with too much snow , because it will make it a lot more challenge for both me and my companion. But none of that now. On to the important part of the email. 

           This week in the Book of Mormon, I have been reading in 1 Nephi, around the time where Nephi's trying to learn what his dad has seen. What stuck out to me this week was how the Savior is doing His best to not inhibit our ability to choose. He always allows us to chose our own path, even if it hurts Him. I love how willing He is to work through that. And how patient and how much Faith He has in us to make the right choice. 

              Well, I hope all of you have a great one. I love you. Keep up with the reading. You're doing great. 

Love, 

Elder Sherwood