Wonderful Weekend!

Hey Ya'll,
Before I begin with my wonderful weekend, I want to thank you for the letters I have been receiving. I got the package with the Christmas tree and all the other goodies, I got one from the Swensons (I got to open the first present today, animal crackers yum!), I got the letter from the Smiths, The Renshaws, Megan, Shannon, Mom and Dad, and of course the Grandparents. I love getting letters. It’s so much fun to open a letter.
I'm starting to miss the snow more and more. Not because I want a white Christmas, but because it’s been raining for the last three days and we have had this nasty fog for the last two days. That kind that just sits there, but it’s not cold enough to snow. It's insane. You can almost cut the air its so thick. Breathing it is ridiculous. Stand next to a humidifier(sp?) and just breathe it in for a while. That’s what it feels like here.
So this weekend was crazy, but awesome. Saturday we spent three hours in the morning raking leaves for Lenora, our investigator. We had come over twice before to try and get it all, but were unsuccessful. So this time we stayed until it was all done. Her yard was huge and covered in leaves. Some parts had about two inches of leaves. Raking wouldn't have been so bad if it didn't rain the entire time! For the whole three hours it rained. We were soaked to the bone, but it was fun to watch the kids open the door and say hi to us.
Later that day was the Metcalf's baptism. Skylar, Matthew and Emma all got baptized by Elder Brian. Their father was supposed to do it, but he didn't meet all the requirements with the bishop. There was a great spirit there and I hope that they continue on 'the path'. After the baptism was the ward Christmas party. There was so much food and desert and candy. There was even a Christmas program. We got to go around and say hi to everyone. Our investigator Cassie even brought her friend Heather to the party. It was fun.
Sunday was the crazy day. We drove to PEC in the rain, but that wasn't bad at all. After the meeting it was time to start church. We walked outside and there was a downpour of rain. Remember the video I took of the rain in Florida? This was worse, and we had to help members make it into the building trying to keep them dry. We went and got our umbrellas and went out and met members in their cars so that we could walk with them to the building to try and keep them dry.
It was fun and the members were thankful. By the time we were done, Elder Brian and I were soaked. It didn't matter that we had umbrellas, the rain found us anyway. We ran home and change into some dry clothes before gospel principles started.
Sacrament was my favorite part and the one I want to end on. The Metcalf kids were going to receive the Holy Ghost. I was the one who was asked to confirm them a member and give them the Holy Ghost. It was a sweet feeling, but a different one for each child. It was the same Holy Ghost, but because each child was different their prayers were different. I could feel the love that Heavenly Father had for them. I could feel many more things, but the important part is that the child who was the most ready, the most willing and the most eager to hear, listen and follow the blessing, was the one I felt the most. Because she was ready, she received more. Because she wanted more, she received more. Those who prepare themselves receive more. If you prepare yourself for the sacrament, you receive more. If you prepare yourself for a fathers blessing, you receive more. If you prepare yourself for a talk, you receive more. If you prepare yourself for conference, you receive more. Anything you do in this life to prepare yourself to receive God's word, will bring more promised blessings than any other source. Prepare yourself when you study the scripture, when you study for school or even work. If you prepare yourself to learn by praying in Faith, he will quicken your mind and show you things that will confound the wise and humble the proud. No other way will bring you closer to God than to prepare yourself for what He has to say. Captain Moroni was the best at this. Joseph Smith needed a little extra help. Even Jesus Christ spent a considerable amount of time preparing for his journey, including fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Preparation brings an increase in blessings. Skylar Metcalf was prepared, and because she was prepared, I could feel a strength in love and blessings that Heavenly Father had for her. It was real and I witnessed it.
I love you all and pray that this Christmas season you will lose yourself in helping someone else. If you don't know where to begin, start with your family. There will be no regrets when someone shares a pure heartfelt testimony in the home.
Love Elder Call