Week 19 "And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." Alma 26:30

 Whats up guys!

I'm glad to hear everyone is having a good time back home and enjoying the end of summer and seeing the blessings of the Lord!  When does school start again for everybody?

This week went by pretty fast! Every Monday I wake up and think where did the rest of the week go haha but its good i guess!  Its always super busy!  So an interesting thing happened to me yesterday.  At church we ran into a guy named David A. Bednar of the quorum of the 12 Apostles! Two things that surprised me were that he was a lot shorter in person and a lot nicer too haha! Usually his talks are really strict and kinda crying repentance but he was a really nice guy!  So apparently his son is a bishop here in Kentucky in a town called Crestwood and that's where we have to drive to church because our building is still under construction, and he was visiting his son and their family this week, so that was pretty cool!  I think that was the first time I've ever met a general authority!

 So this week we've been struggling a bit.  Something that I've been personally struggling with is the word "Success." I read that verse in Alma 26:27 and I really wanted to be a patient so that the Lord would give me success and when we left the CCM, the last night when we were saying goodbye everyone told us "exito" and it was just the thing to say and it made me really want to have success and lots of investigators and baptisms but when I got here I realized it wasn't like that and I thought maybe it would start picking up and to tell you the truth it hasn't really BUT I was reading in Preach My Gospel in the very first chapter and I read a section titled "Success as a Missionary" and as soon as I read the section heading my interest was immediately peaked and I encourage you guys to all read it but in summary it said that often it is to our detriment to compare ourselves with others and that is not how the Lord measures our success.  It list several things that if we as missionaries do will therefore be successful.  It made me think of the parable Jesus gave about the talents.  That God has a bigger picture in mind then I do and that he knows what I need to do to best help people and the first thing i can do is follow all those points in Preach My Gospel about how to be a successful missionary.

I read a story the other day that made me feel a lot better it talked about Abinadi and him not seeing any results of his efforts but that through him Alma was converted and the Church was started and a lot of good followed.  So I've been really thinking about grandpa's advice about quality over quantity! and something else that made me feel pretty comforted was again in Alma Chapter 26 in verse 30 that says, "And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." and really I'm not suffering anything I'm really enjoying it here haha so I can keep working!  and the very next verse is something that I hope will be true for me after my mission! "Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea , and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us." The scriptures have really taken on a knew meaning for me and especially ones having to do with missionary work!

There is so much that I learn everyday being here on a mission, it is a truly humbling experience.  It makes you rely so much on the Lord because honestly without him I don't know  if I'd be able to do this everyday.  I have felt literal strength from the Lord and it has been such  a huge blessing. 

Love you all and hope you have a great week! Talk to you next Monday!  Tell everybody I love them! and yell at jack for something he probably deserves it and needs a kick in the right direction! 

Para siempre Dios este con vos! 

Elder Follett

Shelbyville District

I found a frog in my drawer and was so confused how it got in there and the next day I learned it was one of the other elders in the apartment! haha

Weird tractors that drive all over the roads in Kentucky! haha I'm pretty sure you could fit a car underneath that thing! It's a good thing they don't let me drive mission vehicles yet! haha

I saw this at walmart and i couldn't help but get it!  I don't like soda though so I just took a picture and let my companion drink it! haha