12 March 2019: Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Hola todos!

This week kinda flew past me. I caught two colds this week. That was fun. But the highlight actually was this morning. We got up early to do help someone move that some elders in my district had met last night. He had this ginormous Bob Marley Banana that he didn't want to keep. If I was only allowed two suitcases, I would have taken it with me. Easy. So the motto of the week is "Don't Worry, Be Happy!"

Yesterday we went to a Hibachi Grill with members and a return missionary and his wife, and Kayla, a recent convert in our ward. I had crab legs for the first time. It was pretty good! I almost had a craw fish, but when I cracked it open, it didn't look right at all, so I decided to not subject my companion to the torture of having his companion in the bathroom the whole day. I'm trying lots of new foods out on my mission because... 

I am always hungry!

We had a family basically drop us, that we had been teaching for a few months and gotten really close to. They had some things they weren't ready to do in order to be baptized, so they wanted a break. 

We taught this family that lived on Las Vegas Blvd. Our area goes from one end of the valley to about halfway through the valley, which is downtown Vegas. I saw an Elvis impersonator there. I'm surprised I haven't seen more since I have been here. That was the first one. 

On Sunday we met with a family in one of our wards that is a 21st century Brady Bunch. Literally 3 boys from one family, and 3 girls from the other. It was actually pretty cool. 

On Saturday we had a chapel tour with a guy named Jimmy who was referred to us from Salt Lake City. When we showed him the baptismal font, he said "Yeah, you might find me in there one day." I was like "Yeah we will!" He came to church the next day and loved it! 

I went on exchanges with Elder Lu in his area on Wednesday. He is so much fun to be around because we joke around and have a good time, but also work hard and get good work done. 

Tuesday we ended up getting our preparation day shopping done after Pday, because we didn't get the car until 6. It pretty much wrecked our day. Buts its all good. 

Spiritual thought of the week: Yesterday I was reading a talk given at the MTC a little over ten years ago, and it talked about becoming a consecrated missionary, and how we should put everything from before our mission on the altar to God. We sacrifice everything for two years, but we actually have to change our nature, not just our behavior if we want any lasting impact from our missions. I think it applies to people, not just missionaries. If we really want to become converted to Jesus Christ, we have to put a lot of things on the altar, and it is a sacrifice. My favorite story in the Bible is when Peter and the other apostles "straightway left their nets" to follow Christ. We can do that too, with our temporal things. I'm not saying we have to sacrifice our jobs or things like that, but maybe sacrifice Sunday Night Football for family scripture study, or even just spending time with them. I love this gospel, and I love my mission. Thanks for all the support!

Lovell,

Elder Lovell

Pics:

Banana Marley, and The First Presidency and The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the Rome Italy Temple visitors center. I just thought that was a cool pic.