What a week full of service! This area usually has an average of 1-2 service opportunities a week, but this week we had twice that and it was awesome! 

This week started with my first district council or “disco” as they call it here. It was cool to work with other missionaries in our district and hear their thoughts. Afterwards we went to our first service of the week with two other elders where we made food boxes for people at a food bank. We had fun and they let us take some food home afterwards! 

I got to call mom on her birthday which was definitely a highlight of my week! I loved being able to tell her happy birthday myself and to see her during the week. 

On Halloween we had our second service opportunity where we helped move a man out of his appartment and pack it all in a truck so he could drive it to Texas! It was nice to see him one last time and help him out. Aside from that, it was a regular day until about 6 when mission work ended for the day. We spent that time cleaning the house and then hanging out with some other elders and goofing around to end the night. 

Our last two service moments where on Saturday where we made more food boxes and bags at a different food bank and handed them out to people. Somewhere towards the end some sisters in our zone asked us to come help them pack up an older couple in their zone which was the second service moment. It was a really big task, but the one brother from the ward that they asked to help out took us all to get drinks at sonic afterwards which was really nice of him and made our day.

To end the week, we’ve had a zone p-day at a church building for most of today and it was a blast playing pickle ball and volleyball as a zone. 

To finish this email off, I just want to say that service is one of the best ways to reach out to others when they don’t want to hear Christ’s message. The man we moved out was not a member, or interested really, and yet we were able to serve him and help him feel Christ’s love. To all those service missionaries, I echo the words of our church leaders that, while we may be God’s mouth calling to and teaching others, you are most definitely God’s hands and that makes you not only just as important but vital in this gospel endevor! 

I wish you all a wonderful week and I’ll get back to you next Monday!

Sincerely,
Elder Whitchurch
Mosiah 2:17

Funny Story:
I’m sure you’ve heard this one many times before, but while we were out knocking doors on Halloween we had a man ask if we were trick-or-treating. My companion and I looked at each other and said no to which he responded “wait you’re the real thing?” We said yes and then he said “oh, well have a nice day” and got in his truck. Elder Smith and I got a kick out of that and laughed about it on the way to dinner. 

Bonus Funny Story:
Since it was Halloween I’ll leave you all with a small treat!
Just tonight while visiting a family we got stuck heading out of their gated community. The gates were both closed and, with no side gate, there was nothing left but for me to climb over the gate and punch in the code. Almost immediately after that a car pulled in which would’ve been helpful about 2 minutes before!