Still Drying Out

First Snow . .  in October

So it sounds like it was a tough week of missionary work.  Many days in the mission field are long and it doesn't always feel like missionaries are having success.  Yet I know in those difficult times, Ryan is still learning and growing even if he doesn't see it.   And that is success in my book.  Here is a little excerpt from my letter that shows how is understanding and testimony is expounding week to week.  He is once again reflecting on the changes made during General Conference:

And the changes that have already happened are crazy, and every time President Nelson would get up to talk we would all joke about buckling up and that you had to be ready for it every time.  I think the biggest thing with the whole church change is the need for that personal conversion and it is a test of faith to see which members will follow through and which members are Sunday members only.  It is a bold move, but I know for a surety that is was not the idea of President Nelson, but rather the Lords. I would not be surprised in the least if the changes keep on rolling in, and they are all inspired, we just have to see the reason behind them.  So if they do happen here, look for how it will further the Lord's church in our days.  We need members stronger than ever, and that is what we are striving to do so hard nowadays.  The phrase "preparing for the second coming" was in conference so much, so I think the church will do all it can be to be as ready as possible when the time comes.

Group Email:

Hey everybody, 

So I'll try to make this letter not boring, if possible, because it was a very slow week. 

So all week pretty much we have just had rain on rain on rain, and that's been crazy. So being biking missionaries, we were very wet for most of this week, but with how the temperature have been we shouldn't have to worry about rain too much more here. Mainly because it'll start snowing! It's like already winter before even Halloween and it just feels wrong. 

So we spent a lot of this week trying to stop by people or trying to find people, and we just had very very little success, which is always challenging. But with hard and diligent work comes the blessings. When doing a stop by at this Lady that we hadn't really been able to have a firm appointment with, we got in and had a very good lesson. Not only was she there but someone else that she lives with and they both were engaged and listened well. And at the end of the lesson we invited the lady we knew originally to be baptized. And she committed to setting a date to try for in December! So we are gonna try and keep on working with her and getting her all ready for that date and hopefully we can work through it. That was such a surprise and blessing for us this week. 

We also went to the baptism of another different companionship this week, some English Elders who taught a Spanish person for some reason. And I ended up having to give a talk in Spanish at her baptism. And it went really well and it helped me see how far my Spanish has come in the little time being here. When you are doing something for good or for the Lord's purpose He will make a way for that thing to be accomplished. It says that multiple times in the scriptures, and it is still very much true in our day. So don't be afraid of failing when doing something on behalf of helping someone or with the Lord's work, because I promise you He will help you get what you need to done. So everyone have a great week, and be not afraid!

-Elder Pickering

And if you look closely in the picture, that is snow