Week 72: I Haven't written an email since last year!

My Epic District

Happy New Year everyone!

This was a weird week, but also a fun week. Snow storms, holidays, and SUPER cold days and nights.

We had MLC this week, which was actually super epic. I have so many friends that are in it now, so it's awesome to get to see and hang out with them some more. President Evanson took some time to just teach us all the plan of salvation, but as he went people began asking questions, and then the questions became more and more complicated. I definitely contributed to that, but it was so fun to just talk over literally every part of it in great detail. I definitely had my mind blown a few times and it was epic.

It's been so snowy lately. There's like 3 foot high piles made by the snow plows on every street. Monday night after I wrote my email there was a huge traffic jam coming up through Suncrest because the I-15 was shut down due to some power lines falling over. Then it started snowing, and people were sliding off the road! We could see the whole thing from our apartment, and we heard some horror stories from some of the members who got caught in it. Thursday night we had a full on squall and we just tried visiting members' homes to get out of the blizzard. One of the familes had their grandkids in town, and one of the kids got a kendama for Christmas, so naturally I had to show him a couple whirlwinds. I also left some water bottles in the car overnight and they froze solid. The night of the 1st it legit got to NINE degrees outside. Bruh.

New Years Eve and New Years Day we had to be in early. On the 31st we just had a devotional with the whole mission, then we went to bed. Staying up till midnight isn't fun on the mission. On the 1st we watched "The Fighting Preacher" as a mission, which is actually a super epic movie. We watched it with our whole district, and most of them hadn't seen it before. I'd only seen it once. New Years Day we also had combined district council which was fun. I spoke about how the mission isn't just about who you will help, but who you will become too. When you think about how the Lord is making you into something better and something that He needs you to be, your trials and challenges become much more manageable.

This next week will be exciting. We are have an entire-mission meeting in Orem because Elder Christofferson will be coming to visit our mission! I think this whole week will just be in preparation for that. An entire-mission meeting will also be super lit because literally everyone will be there. This Sunday is also transfer calls, and things could go either way for me. I'm about to finish my 3rd transfer in Suncrest, and my 2nd with Elder Parker, and historically I get moved around a lot. I like getting moved around though. Elder Parker does not get moved around a lot. He's never done less than 4 transfers in an area and I've never done more than 3. But as much as I like Suncrest and Elder Parker, it might be time. We'll see though. It's very possible we both stay.

2022 is going to be an epic year. Lots of exciting things coming up. 2022 is the year I will finish my mission. Not that that means I'm trunky, but it's really weird to think about how much has gone by. I'll be at 17 months this month too. The Sisters I came in with are going home in a few weeks. My friends from BYU are starting to finish their missions. I can feel it all slipping away sometimes. There's still much to be done though, and I've still got lots left in me. I love the UOM so much and I want to make a difference in my last 7 months here.

This is the Lord's church. He is the King of all things, and also your loving friend. Living His gospel leads to happiness, regardless of if you think any of it is true. There is no better way to be guided and strengthened in your life than by making and keeping covenants with Him. It's all real, and I'm so grateful I've been blessed to be a part of it.

Love you all!

Elder Snyder