CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE 2K16!

so yeah we had christmas conference this week and it was epic

UNlike last year's two things changed

I remembered my camera

and 

I actually knew people this time XD

and since that kicked off the week I'll use it to kick off this email!

We all started off at the Kirtland sites to meet and greet and had a good time catching up with everybody

then after everyone had arrived we all piled back into our cars to head to the stake center where we had dinner and watched the slideshow for our mission of all the photos missionaries sent in for it

then we had a bit by President Brown on #LIGHTTHEWORLD 

then back into the cars to drive to the (literally next door) Kirtland Temple! WOOT WOOT OCM REpreSENT, and there we got to sing lots of Christmas Hymns and had some testimonies including but not limited to President Conner of the YT stake 

Sister Newbold (one of the senior couples I worked with in Tallmadge) President Brown, because of course he would be testifying 

and Elder Titera who is one of our Area 70's so that was cool

then we all piled back in the cars and drove home :)

all and all a good day 

the rest of the week was pretty fun

we went to one of our investigators house(s) (english :insert Eyeroll here: )

and they had 8 ADORABLE PITBULL PUPPIES

I about died

3 of them took a nap on my lap 

it was a good day

I'll get pictures next time we go

Sunday was good too 

I got to be Moroni for the primary 

it was fun

That evening I was looking through my journal and I found a poem I started in Solon so I finished it yesterday..

so 

here it is

Dear Father,

The days have been long

the hills steep

the temperature cold 

the work feels so stalemated

Your Son neglected by those who claim otherwise by the crosses the've collected

we walk and talk 

to Your children on the street 

as we try to gather in Thy lost sheep

but this world grows dark and dim

as Satan spreads the lie of sin

I've asked for Strength 

and Hope

and Love

and a soul to free like He did with the caged doves

But as I labor diligently 

I find that a change has occurred in me 

my prayer for strength received response 

by the miles journeyed long 

the plea for hope 

finally seen in a rare glimpse into eternity

The call for love

or charity

felt now, I have, the love of Thee

I feel it so strong and pure for all Thy children 

even those that mock and scorn

Try as I might I have not found the last 

A caged Dove to show that Thou hast forgiven the past 

But as I ponder Quietly

I wonder 

if that Dove

might just be Me

 

I love you all

Have a very Merry Christmas Season

Elder Bone

OCM

Pictures Ho!