May 16 2016

Because of the fire up north in Fort MacMurry, we had a mission fast. We fasted for those who lost their homes, for those fighting the fires, and for rain. Much needed rain. They reported that the fire was not acting naturally, meaning that the fire was not behaving like any other naturally caused fire. We have a less active member in the ward, whose son fights fires for a living. He said that no man is going to put out this fire. Only a higher power is going to put this out. 

This fire is big, 200+ feet high, jumping rivers and roads. Some houses and the LDS Church building were left untouched. It was recorded that only 30% of the town was destroyed, which is a small number looking at how big the fire was and how much it could have done. Elder Spackman (area 70 friend from Calgary) issued a province wide fast for rain. We fasted, and lots and lots of other people fasted. Fort MacMurry received rain! It rained there and it also rained here! 

When we gather in fasting and prayer the Lord hears and is quick to act. Just like the summer of 2009 or 10 or 11 or 8. We had a stake fast because of the lack of water received.  We fasted and rain came down. 

We had another zone conference last week in Cardston. The whole south part of the mission was there, so there was about 100 missionaries there. We all went to the temple. When we came out of the temple it was snowing! It was snowing hard, huge falling flakes of snow and it was sticking! Cardston ended up getting about a foot and half of snow in May. 

After the temple they fed us some Costa Vida salad which was so so good! At the zone conference we had a discussion about the atonement and a testimony meeting. That was very nice. 

President Miles said that we will have another opportunity to have another apostle come to the mission and the whole mission will be able to go! He would not tell us which apostle is coming, but he did say that if there was any apostle coming, this is the one the you want! We just had an apostle come to this mission 2 months ago. I guess they just can’t get enough of me. They just all want to meet me and shake my hand! Hahaha. But that won't be happening till June 11. 

The only thing that we can think of to explain why this is happening again so soon, (besides them wanting to meet me), is maybe we will be getting iPads. They will roll them out after I get home! That’s how it works. It would have been so much easier and better to teach with an iPad than with books, and USB. 

We shall see what happens......  

The next day I went on exchanges with a homie in the district. We had so much fun. We are going home together. We found a new investigator for their area. That was really cool. We knocked on this door that we got as a referral. His name is Chris. Chris's parents were there working on his house that he rented to some people. They did not take good care of his house. When we knocked on the door his parents were kind of stand offish a bit. They were probably taken back when they saw two good looking men on the doorstep. Hahahha. But we were able to get a hold of their son and 20 minutes later we helped him move some big things into his house. Chris's parents were so happy and they opened up more. They told Chris in front of us before we left, that he needs to listen to us. He needs to join the Church. He needs it in his life, and it will change him for the better. Chris said “I know.” They are from Hong Kong. 

After we helped him we found a park and talked to him and helped him more. He has met with missionaries before and almost got baptized, but he had a pending charge, so he was not able to get baptized then. 

Here it was a really slow week. We were not able to meet with as many people as we wanted. Numbers were low, but hopefully that will change this week. 

Tanner, keep an eye out for an Elder Drew Rollins in your mission. He speaks Spanish and he just might be training you. 

Thank you for the emails and the prayers.