SUPERBOWL WKND

 QUÉ ONDA? WHAT IS UP?

This week was incredible. General Conference is the Superbowl of religious events and this was a very good one. By the way - I love Brownsville.

GOOD:

- This week we ate THEE most 956RGV meal. It was a rainy Tuesday and we went to visit an inactive youth in our ward. We ended up meeting both his mother and grandmother who are not members and they insisted on giving us a plate of food for dinner. It was such a kind gesture but I couldn't help but feel a little unsettled as I watched cockroaches scurry across the kitchen cupboards. We agreed and they proceeded to bring us a beautiful plate of chicken nuggets and flamin hot Cheetos. Amen. Then this sweet old lady goes "I am super sorry but we don't have paper towels" and hands us both a wad of toilet paper to wash our hands. The people of the RGV are so humble and so giving. I love it here. We proceeded to teach them answering their questions about the plan of Salvation and we also helped them to watch General Conference this past weekend! Touchdown!!

- Mid-week we find ourselves inside a pizza hut on the edge of Brownsville TX for a meal appointment. While I am just casually enjoying my pizza I hear a very familiar voice. After listening a little closer I realize the song playing is none other than my home boy Dermot Kennedy. He was definitely singing a song I have never heard so y'all failed with not updating me about his new music. The 2 minutes of listening to Dermot Kennedy was definitely one of the highlights of my entire week.

- My companion and I have been out on our bikes quite a bit this week which has honestly been amazing. Makes me miss my little bike areas in Hidalgo and McAllen. We were led to meet so many cool people. An especially cool friend that we met this week is named Diego and he has been super receptive to everything we share since the moment we met him. Bikes bring miracles and Brownsville is so prepared.

BETTER:

- You guys are not even ready for all the miracles God placed in our path this week! We went to visit a man named George who has been taught by many missionaries but never been able to fully commit himself to church attendance and Baptism. We went over to got to know him and before we left that day he said "It's about time I get Baptized, let's get this thing done." George is a super cool guy with tons of crazy stories from his life. He is a fast learner and eager to understand. Last night we were able to share the message of the restoration for him and establish expectations so that he can work towards his Baptismal date. We are excited to return and help George reach his personal goal of being baptized by the proper authority.

- We had plans to watch the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference with our good friends Rosie and Octavio. However, as soon as we knocked on their door we got a phone call from some other Elders who work nearby us. They told us they had just gotten in a car accident, their vehicle had been towed and they needed a ride to their apartment. We were frustrated at the timing but of course knew we needed to go help them. We apologized to Rosie and Octavio and told them we would be back as soon as we can. We helped the Elders out and got back to Rosie and Octavio's home for the very end of the session. This was a miracle in disguise... because at the conclusion of the Elder Uchtdorf's talk (the only full talk we listened to with them) Rosie said "that answered my question perfectly!" It was incredible to see that God's timing is perfect and He is so in the details. He allowed us to be there with Rosie for the one talk that explicitly addressed her general conference question! 

- THIS IS THE BIGGEST MIRACLE OF THE WEEK. We have been teaching our incredible friends Danielle and Nathan who are working towards Baptism. They were not able to get Baptized this weekend because Danielle had to go into a surgery Tuesday morning and the doctor wouldn't let her physically get Baptized. However we are hopeful that at her follow-up appointment tomorrow morning she will get cleared! But, that is besides the point. Our ward gathered together to watch the Saturday Evening session at the chapel and have a dessert potluck afterwards. We have been praying that we could somehow get Danielle's husband involved in the progression of Danielle and her son Nathan. He has been very uninterested and usually leaves the room when we begin teaching. This week we put a focus on being kind to him and getting to know him along with lots of prayers. When Danielle and Nathan pulled up to Conference - they brought with them Eduardo (Danielle's husband) and Danielle's daughter AND Nathan's cousin! A big eternal family coming to watch General Conference! They brought dessert to add to the ward's potluck and met so many members. It truly was a fantastic night full of miracles and happy families. These people are converted to Jesus Christ and repentance is actively changing their lives. I love being a missionary and I love Brownsville!

BEST:

There were so many incredible messages given in General Conference this past weekend. However, one that stuck out to me (and I am sure stuck out to many of us) was the talk given by God's prophet - Russell M. Nelson.

- True followers of Jesus Christ are to have compassion and avoid contention.

- How we treat others AND how we speak about others really does matter.

- Contention never leads to solutions.

I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father, we are His literal spirit children. Because of this... we are all brothers and sisters. It is SO important that we bury all jealousy, pride or hate and that we learn to let charity guide our thoughts about other people and the way we speak to and about other people.

"LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS JESUS LOVED YOU. TRY TO SHOW KINDNESS IN ALL THAT YOU DO.

I know that as we strive to be peacemakers - we will prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ. I know that Charity is among the most important attributes that we can strive to develop. I also know that God blesses those who are kind to and care for others. 

I love you all and I love General Conference.

"Work Hard, Keep the Commandments, Have a Positive Attitude and Show Gratitude."

- Elder Stringham