2019-01-28

Hi everybody!

I'm starting to settle into life here in Rantoul and it's been pretty good! A lot happened this past week and so I guess I'll just go in order, haha.

On Tuesday, we had zone conference down in O'Fallon, Illinois which is a three hour drive from Rantoul so we had a lot of time to talk. I was able to share my cereal joke which is always a pleasure. We got to learn so much from our mission leaders! Something that stood out to me was something President said which was "Extend a baptismal invite unless the Spirit prompts you NOT to." Usually us missionaries do it the other way around but this really made a difference. Cause this last week as a zone, we were able to put 11 people on date to be baptised. 11 people committed to baptism in one week! It really made a difference and changed the mission's mindset. We were able to put one person on date and expect to put two more on date as soon as we can arrange to meet them and I'll talk more about that next. To sum up zone conference and President Bateman's constant advice - Be Bold.

Wednesday we were able to meet with Cleveland, a retired Veteran who is dealing with some lasting injuries and has such a pure desire to follow Jesus Christ. He has so much faith and wants to be completely obedient to the Lord. We extended a baptismal invitation to him and excepted! He even had a date picked out already, which is July 25th. Even though it be far off, I know that good things are in store for Cleveland as he works towards that date.

On Thursday, we went and worked on an alpaca farm. It was so freakin fun! Best service yet! One of our investigators has a farm with 34 alpacas, 2 horses, 7 dogs, a cat, a llama, an emu, and a bajillion chickens! We helped exercise the alpacas and trained them to walk with a leash. Alpacas are the best cause their fur is super soft, they are so adorable, and their poop doesn't have a very strong smell. It was awesome!

On Sunday, we set out to find at least one new cause we hadn't been able to all week so we made a goal not to quit looking until we found that one. After tracting for a half hour and getting no success, we met Steve-o who opened the door and let us in before we even finished knocking. He had been kicked out of his old church cause he wasn't "good" enough for them but he so badly wants to follow Jesus Christ. He soaked up our message and wants to learn more! We expect he'll progress forward cause he has such a desire to change and be better. Just shows that when ya don't quit, the Lord will provide! #Doyourbest&giveGodtherest

Church wasn't cancelled this week so I got to meet the branch for the first time! They are so nice and welcoming and odd which makes them even better, haha. It was a close call though cause it's been snowing several times this week. Elder Gallegos and I have gotten a lot of experience and service in as well shovel driveways for the older members of the branch. I've gotten to experience fluffy snow! And I mean FLUFF. It's literally like cotton when it's freshly fallen.

It really is cold out here. Like this Wednesday, the high is gonna be -7, the low is -15, and the wind chill is gonna be around -35. I just imagine the sun not rising on that day and the world is gonna end, haha. We're probably gonna have to stay inside that day and find other ways to contact people. Not looking forward to that!

This week was a tough one and it looks like it will continue to be tough cause cold sucks. However, I love the Lord and want to serve Him. I also love the people of Rantoul and want to serve them and help them receive the Gospel and be blessed because of it. I have faith and now I gotta work hard.

This email was long and the scripture I wanted to share is also long so I'll just give the reference and ya can look it up. Let me know what your thoughts are and how this scripture can apply to you!

James 2:14-24

Sincerely, Elder Wilson