2019-06-03

Hi everybody!

This week was quite eventful to say the least. To start off, on Wednesday, we had Zone Conference out in Columbia, MO, so now I can say I've been to every part of the mission, haha! President Bateman taught us that we retain things better if we go over it again and again so this zone conference was a lot of review of previous zone conferences.

On the way home from Columbia, it was pouring buckets on us. There was twelve of us elders riding in the mission's van and so we were having a good time until a Budget Rental truck hydroplaned off the highway in front of us and rolled over. Only two of us saw it (me being one of them), so we shouted to stop and pull over. Half the elders hopped out and ran down to help while half stayed in the van to call help. The passengers in the truck were fine since they had been wearing their seatbelts so please, everybody wear your seatbelts! When the elders that had run out got back, they were soaking wet so they got two of the benches to themselves and we continued on our way.

It really has been pouring out here lately. The Mississippi is up 38ft and the Missouri is up about 20ft. Because of that, we were called to go up to Winfield, MO and other surrounding towns to help sandbag and prevent flooding. We went up Thursday through Saturday and worked hard but unfortunately the levee cracked and the town went under though. It wasn't for nothing however, because the farmers were very grateful for our help because nobody else came to help, not even the townsfolk of Winfield. It was crazy cause the flood was one foot short of the 1993 flood which was the worst flood in history around here. I remember when I was in elementary school and they showed us a video about it and now I'm actually here for the second time around for severe flooding. St. Louis is still doing fine though since it's on a big hill.

I think a good moral from this is that when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God. Yeah, in the end our labor didn't save the farms or the town but it did make a difference for the farmers knowing that they weren't alone or forgotten. Everybody please pray for Winfield and the surrounding areas because they have a tough road ahead of them as they rebuild and start from scratch.

Finally, my new address is:

740 Greenway Manor Dr Apt F

Florissant, MO 63031

This address is good for both letters and packages since we're in a good part of town and the leasing office holds packages.

I love you all and hope you have a superbulous week! By the way Mom, I wore my green Mesa shirt to service. Gotta represent home somehow! :)

Love, Elder Wilson