Nyob zoo os,
Wow, this was definitely the coldest week of my life. I am pretty sure it was the coldest temperature in Wisconsin in over 50 years. I did the boiling water challenge like a lot of people wanted me to do. I boiled the water then threw it into the air and it turned straight to snow. That's how cold it was. I remember one night walking back from the other Hmong sets apartment around 9:30 and it is about a 1 min walk to our apartment and by the time we got to our apartment my face was completely numb. Super cold!
The 3 cold days this week were Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Wednesday it was so cold that everyone in the mission was told to not go out. So luckily we have 3 sets close otherwise it probably would have been pretty boring. We did a bit of extra studies and then after played some card games the rest of the day. Tuesday and Thursday we thought it would be smart that both companionships stayed in the car together. Usually, we have 1 set ride buses and walk around and the other uses the car, but it was way too cold to have 1 set walking around for 5+ hours. It wasn't as effective as normal, but we were still able to get stuff done and safely too!
The rest of the week was super warm it went from feeling like around - 50 with wind chill to feeling like 40 degrees. The other days we were so cold that once the warm weather came we were actually pretty hot.
For this week we had volleyball night on Friday. Usually we get a huge turnout, but this week there wasn't a whole lot of people, but still fun to play.
We also celebrated Elder Tarone's birthday this week. We went out to eat and had a good time. I also hit 18 months as a missionary on Saturday.
Saturday we had a good lesson with Mai's husband Alex. We had a good discussion on what the purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ is, God's purpose, and the purpose of churches. It was a good overall discussion and went really well.
A few scriptures that I liked this week were Luke 7:36-50. A little background... Jesus is eating dinner with Pharisee named Simon. The Pharisees are an over the top religious group during the time of Christ that lived the law of Moses but refuse to follow the Savior. They live hypocritical lives and pride themselves in their obedience to the law. Anyway, this Pharisee invited Christ to eat with him and while doing so, a sinner comes and washes Christ's feet and anoints him. This Pharisee asks Christ why he lets a sinner touch him. For this Pharisee, he showed his obedience to the law and showed respect for God if he didn't interact with sinners. It was what they believed and is why he didn't understand why Christ would allow a sinner to interact with him
Christ then gives a parable in verse 41 and 42.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
What Christ is basically saying is those who are forgiven more are those that love the debtor (Christ) more and vice versa. I think that is so true when I was talking with Alex on Saturday I was thinking the most important thing that a follower of Christ could do is to follow his example and live like he lived which don't get me wrong is a great thing, but there is a better thing and after I read this passage that came clear to me. That way we can show Christ that we are true followers and love him is by repenting and using his atoning sacrifice in our lives. The more we repent the closer we will come to him, the more we will depend on him, and the more we will love him.
Love,
Elder Rich
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| Walking through Antarctica |
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| Antarctica got you feeling like |
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| Snow from boiling water |
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| Early Valentine from Aliza |
