Merry Christmas!

I got to see the wonderful family yesterday :) they are all good. It made my day when Mom said I looked like Dad. I really miss him. I still think about him every day. I can hear his responses in my head when I am complaining or saying something sarcastic. I don't know, it is a cool connection.

I will make it short this week, we are getting phones! So I had to buy a new Samsung smartphone this week. We are also getting a 3rd companion tomorrow! There will be an emergency transfer and somehow we were chosen to take on a struggling missionary. Wahoo. (I am not thrilled at the prospect) 

Anyway, I love the members of this ward so much. We were spoiled rotten for Christmas receiving probably 300$ in gifts. Our favorite families consist of the Ports, Folsoms, Richardsons, Burtis, and Cleggs. The Folsoms are my favorite. They are the best. He is in the stake presidency and she is an angel. They are the most saintly people I may have ever met. They love the gospel and make us feel like we are at home. They are the ones who bought me the new Fossil watch, which, go figure, matches my new shoes. Lol. Also I have the designer tie from the Burtis family. He is the ward mission leader. I feel like some sort of business executive, hahaha. I love the people here (not just because they get us stuff). We also ate prime rib two nights in a row. I know, our life is SO rough. 

On the downside we got dropped by Daidrian this week. We aren't sure why but we will hopefully be able to resolve his concern so he can get baptized. Oh well, it is up to the Lord not us. 

I am so grateful for the savior :) have a good week.

-E.Rapier

p.s. Enjoy the pictures. the one with me and the diet coke is with our bishop. He found out my love for it and bought me a huge flat. I can't remember if I told you that or not.

Merry Christmas, Elder!

Elders Huff and Rapier

Christmas morning present opening and shenanigans

Merry Christmas!!!!

"I felt really happy..."

Brothers and Sisters how is it?? I'll answer my own question - it is awesome here. 

We got transfer calls and Elder Huff and are are staying again! Another 6 weeks in Clarkston - here we go! We are both very excited. It is an answer to prayers both for us and the ward! (We had some members tell us they are praying for us to stay). It is a big blessing and we should finally see some fruits of our labors. We are looking forward to several baptisms this transfer!

We had such an awesome week and I can't wait to talk all about the miracles. Let me apologize now for anything in this letter that doesn't make sense; I'm writing from the library and the dude behind us smells so strongly like weed that I might as well be smoking a blunt. So there you have that.

This week we we able to meet again with Louise (super old lady we miraculously street contacted). She has been feeling better and almost came to church, but she woke up feeling sick! But we had such a spiritual lesson, and she said she wants to be baptized as soon as she can actually remember what we teach her. She is going strictly off how she feels when we are there. The spirit is amazing. 

The Char Fam cancelled again. BBUTTTT we found a new investigator named Ravi! He is a dentist from India and his wife is a physical therapist and they are LOADED. Anyway, we were satisfying my Diet Coke craving at a gas station and struck up a conversation with him - HE TEXTED US and set up an appointment. Wow. Turns out our favorite ward members (the Folsoms) knew him and came with us to the lesson! We have taught him twice. He converted to Christianity from Hinduism and it is so cool to see how much he loves Jesus! More to come on him.    

Daidrian, our 14-year-old investigator with zero religious background or familiarity, cancelled again this week. We stopped by last night to confirm our appointment for tomorrow, and we were talking with him. We asked if we could do anything for him and he said nope, but then he said "I just want to thank you for the opportunity that you gave me to learn about Jesus Christ." The spirit was tangible at that moment. I felt so grateful for the knowledge of a Savior and I wondered how often I take that knowledge for granted.

Last cool experience... (If you are still reading this email you must really like me. Anyway...) we were talking to a potential investigator we met who works for the member of our ward. We stopped by his trailer and were talking to him. He struggles really bad with depression and has had to miss work and stuff because of it. Before we left we just had a thought to pray with him, and so we did. afterwards he sent us a text 

It built my testimony; I am so thankful to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I just want to bear my quick witness that I know that Christ brings light into our souls. He will refine and strengthen us. I do know that He did live as a man here on earth and He now lives again as our immortal Savior. I am thankful for this season to remember Him even more! Merry Christmas :)

Love,

-E. Rapier

Finally got some snow :)

All the missionaries in Elder Rapier's district.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream & Cherry Pie - Best Mashup?

Hey Y'all,

We had a great week out here in the glory land of Clarkston :)

A lot of good news to report on...

First, the members in this ward are awesome! When they found out we may be getting transferred next week, they were like "we already have your Christmas presents." Oh my goodness, they are such good people. They take good care of us. 

We taught a part member family on Monday and they fed us cherry pie mixed with mint chocolate chip ice cream. Like all of it. We ate so much. We pulled over after we left and Elder Huff puked on the side of the road. Mind you, this was after a taco bell 5$ box AND a member's dinner. 

On Tuesday, Elder Huff woke up sick as a dog and we stayed inside all day. He described, "It's like Donald Trump and North Korea are duking it out in my stomach." That was a fun day.

We had zone conference all day Wednesday and in the evening we were able to teach Daidrian our 14 year old investigator and extend a baptismal date to him! We are really excited, and he is progressing well. 

On Thursday all 3 of our lessons canceled - that really has been the story of the past couple weeks. It's hard with the holidays. Hopefully it is better this week!

We have been reactivating this less-active guy. Turns out he had been excommunicated in the past, but he just became our most solid baptismal candidate! He comes to church every week. Only problem is he killed somebody. It was in the 70's so hopefully we can just leave that behind. Who knows.

We had a sweet ward Christmas party and 20 non members showed up! One of them is a hair stylist and so we are going to see her today for hair cuts and we will get a return appointment. 

On Saturday, 2 of our 4 lessons cancelled. We drove for the first time into the boonies of our area. We wont be doing that again. It is a waste of time. 

Three  people came to church yesterday - including the mint chocolate chip and cherry pie people!

The Char family, Stephen, Lenora and Justin, Louise, Ben, and the other Justin all cancelled this week!! Ugh. The good news is we have a ton of new appointments with other people next week! Will keep you posted :)

BTW, Please send all Christmas packages early because transfers happen December 20. Just to be safe, send things to the mission home until we know where I will be on December 20.

Washington Spokane Mission
820 S Pines Rd Suite 101
Spokane Valley, WA 99208

Thanks and LOVE YOU,

- E. Rapier

Festival of Lights (love the Christmas sweaters!!)

Four Thanksgivings

Thanksgiving was awesome. I really loved being able to eat - no kidding - 4 dinners. I was so fat.

The Char family cancelled their appointment with us this week. Stephen kind of told us he only believes some of what we are teaching him, and we found out that Dillon can't get baptized for 3 years because he in on parole. To be honest though, I am not discouraged at all. I have a lot of faith in the Lord's timing. He knows his children.

We have been teaching a lot of people and we are staying really busy. I really feel myself changing.I used to get excited to buy and have new things. But when I went shopping last week, I didn't get any of that happiness from those worldly things. I think less and less abut home everyday. Not that I don't love my family, it just isn't what God wants for me right now. I love talking to people and being a witness of Christ. I find true joy in that, that lasting happiness can come from nowhere else bedsides God.  

Are you doing Light the World? If you aren't, you should. It can be your present to me. It is such a good missionary opportunity.

Love you all!!

- E. Rapier