So Very Close

 เฮลโล Hello!

This was my last week in Alki YSA! I got transfer news on Saturday and I'm going to Orting in the Enumclaw Zone! Pretty excited, not going to lie. I loved my time out here, but now i finally get to see some of the more beautiful parts of the mission. It's more rural, so it will definitely be a new experience.

IT'S RIGHT THERE COME ONNNN

This week we spent a lot of time preparing Jai for his baptism. We taught a bunch of lessons and even went to dinner with him for his birthday (which also happens to be Elder Knapp's birthday). Everything was going very well and it was looking like he was going to make it to his baptismal date for Saturday. On Friday, we were having the toughest time getting ahold of him and barely got his interview solidified. It happened in the last possible 30 minutes. That was a stressful day, but then came the day of his actual baptism. He didn't respond to anything we texted him all day. Then, about 1 minute before he was supposed to be at the church, he sent me a novel of a text message rambling on about random insignificant things that had never been a problem before and some couldn't even be defined as an issue for someone to be baptized. It was the worst. He cancelled on us. Too bad I won't be around to keep working with him, but I know he's going to be ready one day.

I AM AN OFFICIAL FISH

I got news this week that this is now my permanent assignment. That means that I won't get to go back to Thailand. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I'm still happy to be in Washington. I really miss Thailand sometimes. I miss the people, the sights, the food, the language, and all of that. But if I take a step back, I can see all of the things that I get here, that I couldn't get to experience anywhere else. Since the Seattle area is so diverse, I get to teach people from all over the world. Different backgrounds and experiences. Just this week, I got to meet an African man named Momodu who got baptized, and gives the best prayers in his broken English. So even though my time in Thailand is over, my mission certainly is not and I know God has prepared people for me to serve right here where I am.

INFURIATING UNFAIRNESS

As I've been going back through the talks of the most recent General Conference, "Infuriating Unfairness" by Elder Dale G. Renlund has stood out to me. While the things that happened to me may be seen as unfair or unsatisfying, I think he put it best when he said: 

"When faced with unfairness, we can push ourselves away from God or we can be drawn toward Him for help and support. For example, the prolonged warfare between the Nephites and the Lamanites affected people differently. Mormon observed that “many had become hardened” while others “were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God.” Do not let unfairness harden you or corrode your faith in God. Instead, ask God for help. Increase your appreciation for and reliance on the Savior. Rather than becoming bitter, let Him help you become better. Allow Him to help you persevere, to let your afflictions be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.” Join Him in His mission “to heal the brokenhearted,” strive to mitigate unfairness, and become a stonecatcher."

Let Him help you become better through the refining fire of trials. Trust in the Lord, and He will consecrate your trials for your gain.

LAST THINGS LAST

- I have eaten so much garbage food I'm gonna actually be fat.

- When investigators want to listen to my favorite music, that is a tender mercy.

- I've been in a weird trio for 2 days before I go to Enumclaw. It's been fun and weird and hilarious.

- I hit my 18 month mark this week. 18 months in, and y'know what? I still love you!

เอ็ลเดอร์ ชนบท (Rural Elder)

Elder Barrett