Merry Christmas

Trying out our Christmas Face Masks

Bach Rhode Island

Angelica, John, Aria, Ray Daniels Family in Rhode Island

Fun with the Rhode Island District

Kellie

Noel,Laura, Kellie in Rhode Island

The District Rhode Island

Our District on Rhode Island

Merry Christmas!!!
Week 63, Dec 30 2019


   Well, Monday was honestly really short, and we didn't do all too much. We had a set lesson with a less active member. When we got there we waited 30 minutes and no one answered or came home. We later found out he went to the Doctors.
     Tuesday morning we had a short time for studies, and I finished the book Either, in the Book of Mormon. at10am we had a lesson with James and his mother Miss.Chen, she and her husband flew in from Hong Kong to visit James for the Holidays. We were able to have a lesson with her, because she wants to come closer to Christ. It was for sure a different experience because she only speaks Cantonise/Mandrine-Chinese. We are teaching James and he was our translator for his mom. In a sense we taught him, then he taught her. To start out we watched three videos in Chinese, 1st was Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, 2nd was Christ’s crucifixion, and 3rd was about His resurrection. For her we had to teach really simple because she doesn't come from a Christian background. We were able to teach both her and James more about the story of Christ. We had a lesson on "The Plan of Salvation". She liked it and also had a lot of good questions. We answered all the ones we could, and even set a time to come back for another lesson. We made a few calls and by the end of the week we will be getting a Chinese Book of Mormon for her!!! We had some relaxing time then made our way to the chapel and wait for the District to practice our caroling! We only had time to sing a couple of the first verses then made our way on over to "Royals Nursing Home". We had all 6 of us missionaries and about 7 (In Total) members from all 3 wards to come sing with us! We had a really good time. We planned for 10 songs but it took 30 minutes, we had a whole hour. We then improvised using the Hymn Book and a Christmas piano song book. There were about 10 residents that came in and listened. They were all pretty grateful for us coming and caroling. After the Elders went out to lunch at Taco Bell for a quick bite to eat. We came home and I was able to call my family because they were all together. I was able to talk to my brothers Tyler and Trever. Mikaela (Tyler's wife) their daughter Emma and Olive (my Nieces), I also talked to my sister Tiffanie and her husband Jared and their Daughter Hallie, I talked to my Oldest sister Jessica and little Sister Kaylee. It was really fun to talk to all of them, it doesn't happen very much. Shortly after I hung up we made our drive to Tiverton and hung out with the Daniel family (non-members). Angelica, John, Auria, and Ray. We had a really fun time with them all. We decorated cookies with the kids when we first got there, we had dinner and talked with each other. After dinner we watched "The Christ Child" with them and talked about it. To end the night we played some games and hung out then came home for the night. We were up for a little bit and us four Elders played a couple of card games. After a little bit, we ended up opening some Christmas presents because we would have no time in the morning. We also did some facemasks the Sisters gave to us.
     IT'S CHRISTMAS!!! Also Wednesday, and when we woke up we were all pretty tired, and we had to get ready quick! As soon as we got ready we made our way to the Woods home. Brother Wood had a lot of awesome stories to share with us from his many callings in the church. Bishop, Stake President, a member of the 70 ( General Authority), and the Boston Temple President. In his office he has an amazing photo of Abraham giving Isaac the Melchizedek Priesthood. The family got all four of us elders some presents, some small stuff but still meaningful. After that we went to the Church and had time to call the family. I tried but no one responded, while Elder Johnson and Elder Stokes talked to their family, Elder Burrows and I played some ball In the Cultural Hall. After a little bit we made our way to Noel and Luara’s for a lunch, the first thing we did was watch "The Christ Child" to help us remember the true meaning of Christmas! After, we sat around hung out and talked while we waited for it to finish cooking. It was ham, green bean casserole and stuffing, all in all it was a good lunch! Later we went to Dinner with the Hancocks and had some good ol Ribeye Steak! It was such a good day and I got really full from all of the food. To end the night we hung out with Noel and Luara again and had dessert with them. When I got home I officially finished my reading of the Book of Mormon on the topic of the God Head!
     Thursday morning studies I read along to the Bible, I am still really confused, but the Old Testament has so much of importance to the coming of Christ that I made it a goal to finish it before I get home in October. This morning I also started my next studies on the Book of Mormon and I have a special Book of Mormon with extra content to help me know who is speaking where and when this is taking place and Highlighted headings. I am reading it as If it is my first time, to help me better appreciate it more. This will also help me prepare for April's General Conference! After studies we drove up to the Narragansett Elders Chapel for Elder Johnson to give a Baptismal interview. While he did that we did exchanges and I went with Elder Burrows to pick up a Chinese Book of Mormon for Sister Chen (James mother) we also got a baptismal interview record. Because we were both hungry we went out to Wendy's and came back to the Chapel. When we got there Elder Johnson was still in the Interview.  He finished shortly after. Before we went home we went to Subway because Elder Johnson was hungry as well. We then went to the Chapel to try and copy a couple things but it wasn’t working. Later on we drove up to Tiverton and had dinner with the Vest Family. It was pretty dang good. We had Smoked Ribs and Smoked brisket! So worth the waiting is what Brother Vest said. For our Message we watched a Book of Mormon video of Nephi 3-5. They all really liked it. To end the night we drove home and went to see James and Sister Chen. We helped answer a few of her questions and gave her the Chinese Book of Mormon. She had a lot of great questions and has a desire to be baptized. Due to her leaving back to China (Mainland) next week it wouldn't be possible. She is coming back to visit in July then officially moving to the USA in November. With James help we will help her build her testimony and continue to read the Book of Mormon so that when, she gets here she will be ready! Earlier today Elder Johnson was asked to give a talk on Sunday on Spiritual Goals
     Friday morning after we got ready had time for a short studies then drive up to pick the Elders up for District Council. Elder Stokes had todays training on setting Goals, perfect for the new year. Not only for us, but for who we are teaching and our areas. After we went to lunch at Iggy’s and Sister Tueller bought a tub of New England Clam Chowder for all of us to share. We also had time to sign each others, transfers journals and take some last minute photos before we all went back into our areas. We then went straight to the library for Elder Johnson to work on his talk for a little bit then came home for dinner. After we did some stop byes with less active members.  We stopped by one member who was not happy we came by un-announced. She hasn't been feeling the best but we were able to help give her a blessing of healing. We did couple of stop byes with people close by then went to CVS for Elder Johnson to print a couple photos. We hit a Taco Bell on the way home then filled up the gas tank then came home. To night I did a work out then went to bed.
     Saturday when I woke up, Elder Johnson let me know he wasn’t feeling to well, so I did my own personal studies while he rested up. I also did some cleaning in the Kitchen and made some lunch while I was at it. At around 2 we went to the library for Elder Johnson to work on his talk for tomorrow. I worked on my weekly email. After we had dinner we went to visit brother Mottrom and had a lesson with him on Temples.  We watched the Rome Italy temple walkthrough and invited him to meet with Bishop and work to make it to the Temple. The last lesson of the night was once again with James and his mom Sister Chen. She had read more of the Book of Mormon then what we asked and already is building her testimony of it! We ended up watching the first Book of Mormon video with them in Chinese! It was pretty strange but still a cool experience! She said when she read the Testimonies of the 3, and the 8 Witnesses and Joseph Smith's testimony she knew it had to be true!!! When she comes back to America she will be ready for her baptism!
     Sunday morning I slept passed my alarm and Elder Johnson had to wake me up and I got ready. We shortly after made our way to Church. I sat in the back row with Sister Chen and James. Bishop Crocket (who served in Hong Kong on his mission) talked to them in Cantonese, Sister Chen enjoyed that! Elder Johnson and Sister Jaggi both gave awesome talks on Goal setting for the new year! There was some extra time so Bishop gave a little talk and gave an experience from his mission. Some of it he said in Cantonese and the only other two who understood were James and Sister Chen. I thought that was a very awesome moment in today’s service! Second hour was all together to discuss the programs for the new year, including the Ward Mission Plan!!! We are excited to start implementing it! After church we came home had lunch and then studies. We did some contacting and went to the Church to set up a flyer for our Book of Mormon class we are starting up the first week of the new year! We then had a couple of contacts with less active members and set up times to come back! To end the night I wrote in my journal and Elder Johnson called the members of the District to see how there week went.

                Jeremiah 31:31
 
     "31 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah"

     With it being the new year and cool enough a new decade as well, I have been pondering the past year and all I have done. As the new year approaches as "the days come" we should do what we can to set goals for ourselves but even greater do what we can to come closer to the Lord. Let's make and or keep the covenants we have made with our Savior Jesus Christ! I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen