Week 100 Cindy Got Baptized!

Hola, 

This week started off kind of weird. My companion Elder Gray got really sick on Monday night and wasn't feeling any better on Tuesday morning when we woke up. He slept like all day so I just got a lot of studies in and cleaned the apartment. Luckily the zone leaders live right above us so by about 3 o'clock we started doing a babysitting rotation which was good for me. We got to go see the people we had appointments with which made me happy. We had a really powerful lesson with Rene which was a good ending to the night. He was nice enough to feed us which was a little scary because I went in there stuffed! Hah back to back dinners. I don't know how I held it in. 😬 

Elder Gray was still not feeling better on Wednesday which was no bueno. I've been working on a Christ like attribute each week and this week's was patience. How fitting right? Hah, God has a sense of humor. Anyways, he decided he felt well enough to go try a few people so we hit the streets. After our last appointment we were waiting for the bus right by a bunch of Jehovah Witnesses who had a poster set up and everything. I wanted to know more about what they believe and so I started talking to them. It went well but in the process we missed our bus. 😬 Problem. Elder Gray and I had a deal that we would go out and teach as long as we could take the bus back. We'll, the next one wasn't coming for another 45 minutes. So with a death glare Elder Gray and I saddled up our bikes and rode 3 miles back up State Street. It's normally a decent little ride in the heat, but it was too much for our champion Elder Gray. As soon as we got back to the apartment he vomited. Ahh. I'm a terrible companion. The rest of the day wasn't as exciting but definitely interesting. We saw Joe who was very drunk and then had a Book of Mormon class with the crew. All in all a solid day. 

Thursday took us all over the place. We met with the twins, Cindy, the twins Mom, and Marco & Noemi. It was a great day and great to teach the gospel to so many people. I'm super grateful for the members that do so much for us, couldn't do it without them. 

Friday was my last zone conference which was crazy. Just sitting there was surreal as I reflected on all the zone conferences I have attended on my mission. They have all been great and I always leave feeling edified. In each zone conference the missionaries who are leaving that transfer always share their departing testimony of things they've learned on their missions and just their testimony in general. I have enjoyed hearing these testimonies throughout my mission, and it was finally my turn to share my thoughts. I was an emotional wreck. It only took me about 30 seconds to be in tears, but it was special for me to be up there and share what the gospel of Jesus Christ has meant to me. It was an emotional day in general, but at the end of the day I just had gratitude in my heart for all the good things I've learned in Pennsylvania (and New York.) This is sacred ground to me and I'll always cherish these memories. 

Saturday was definitely a highlight of my mission! Cindy was baptized and it was amazing. While I was changing back into my clothes my heart was just full of gratitude as I got to reflect on what just happened. It finally hit me and it was another wave of emotion. I have nothing but thanks to give to my Heavenly Father! That night we got to go to the Senators Game which is Harrisburg's minor league team. Pretty much like the Salt Lake Bees. It was Mormon night and our mission president gave us permission to go. It was super fun to be there and it was a great end to the day! ⚾️ Baseball is as American as it gets. 

Well, all in all it was a good week! Seeing Cindy join the church was great and we're super excited for her and the choice she's made. She's awesome, and we hope her family will follow her soon! I think they will. 

That's all for now folks. 

Workin' On, 

   Elder Halls
Pictures: Elder Wood, Elder Walker, Elder Butikofer, Cindy's Baptism, Mormon Night at the Senator's Game