Transfer to OSU, Uchtdorf & Light the World (lots of pictures) - November 26, 2019

So, today is the last transfer of my mission. I am going to be serving on the Ohio State campus with Elder Lowry (my MTC companion). We both go home in 2 1/2 weeks. It will be a fun adventure to end my mission. This week was one for the books. We went on exchanges to Youngstown State University with Elder Lambert and were able to hear from Elder Uchtdorf. 

Elder Lambert and I set up a Light the World table on campus. We gave out hot chocolate and pass along cards. We also had stickers printed that we made and handed them out. There are pictures of the stickers below. 

The whole mission was allowed to meet together to hear President Uchtdorf. It was an amazing experience. When he first walked in, I was like he is just a normal guy. He was really funny and made a joke about us not being able to have member dinners. He was shocked that that was a rule. (it may change now lol)  He talked about the 12 apostles and them trying to agree on things. He said they are 12 of the most strong headed, educated people and it takes a lot for us to agree. At the very end he gave us all an apostolic blessing. He said "I know Jesus Christ, and He is my friend." He also blessed every missionary to find joy in their mission and blessed all of our families back home." It was a humbling experience, and he is truly an apostle of the Lord. I will never forget meeting him. He also said that you need to be happy for people to listen and believe you. The gospel is happiness. When I got to shake his hand. He double handed and said "Thank you for serving." My stake president took pictures for us. I am grateful for that. 

I found my driving card. So, that I can drive again. It was in an AA pamphlet under the seat in our car. lol

I've been packing and sorting out all of my stuff. I wrote my departing testimony. My time here is winding down. I am grateful for every minute, but I'm glad the two years is almost over. 

Love you all

I'll be home for Christmas,

Elder Davis

YSU Campus

Elder Lambert and I listening to Elder Uchtdorf

Someone put this sign on our apartment door

We painted the campus rock

The Van crew traveling to Columbus

Elder Uchtdorf and his wife

The Whole Mission with Elder Uchtdorf

How did he get up there

sticker

sticker

sticker

packing and talking to mom

"Forgive Them", Training, & Four Weeks Left - November 18, 2019

This week I taught a training on hypocrisy for district council, we helped a hoarder move, worked out, went on exchanges, and learned about forgiveness. 
My mom sent me a quote this week. that says "Is it true? Then what else matters?". If you believe in Jesus Christ. We shouldn't sweat the small stuff. We all know how it is going to work out in the end. It is important to remember that. 
Elder Lambert has me working out every night. He sent me a video of what to do. So, that has been challenging and fun. I'm keeping busy out here. 
We also got to see the new Nativity video again to show members. It is amazing It comes out this weekend, so please watch it. 
We helped a man move from his home. There was a lot of stuff so we just started throwing it out the windows. He hadn't left the house in a while. We were glad to help him out. The elders quorum president took us to chik fil a after because it was a lot of work. Brother Thibideau is great!
We were supposed to have volleyball at the church that night but when we got there there was a youth dance. So, we just helped them set up. 
My mom sent me  quote from Elder Cook. He is a straight forward kind of guy. I read a talk from him a while back. He went to a stake conference and there were 76 young men of mission age who hadn't gone on a mission yet. So, he asked the stake president to meet with all of them in the next six weeks to check in on them. When he returned he asked the stake president how many he met with and how many are planning on serving missions. He said that he had talked to all of them but only 3 were going to serve. Elder Cook then said there is one of two problems here. Either  you have the most unworthy group of men or the most ineffective stake presidency. Wow! He said it was hard for the man to hear, but he got his life in order and helped those young men. One of the things I've learned on my mission is that if you believe in Jesus Christ there is little else that matters. He won't leave you. He will help you do the hard stuff. His gospel and what He taught should be foremost in your life. 
I also taught a training on hypocrisy in our district council. They told me it was "the best training they've ever heard in district council. President Stratford asked me to send it to him. He is sending it to the mission. That always makes you feel good when you do a good job on something. 
My mom asked me what gospel principal I've been studying this week. When Jesus says "Father forgive them for they know not what they do on the cross. He wasn't just being a nice person and forgiving. He could actually understand at that moment that they really didn't know. Because he had atoned for them. He knew that they were just following orders and really didn't know. That is the only example of what Jesus does for us when we make mistakes in the scriptures. He knows exactly how we feel and pleads for us to the Father. It is a good lesson to learn. 
Can't believe I am almost done out here. My pday next week will be on Tuesday. 
Have a good one
Elder Davis

Jib Jab!!

A Thelma!!

Snow!

Last Package from Home

Ohio, Hardest Part of Being a Missionary, Lost of Service this week - November 11, 2019

Hey Everybody
I have 5 more P-days left so I'm going to tell you a little bit about Ohio and my mission each week.  First, we had a good week. We performed a lot of service. There was one day that we raked leaves, set up and moved in someone to their house, delivered a bed to a family, and fixed someone's car. It was a busy day but rewarding. We were with Elder Lambert and Elder Foster that day. We also finished a deck for a lady in our ward. It was hard work, but fun. We had exchanges with the assistants and that is always fun. It snowed this week and is supposed to snow tonight. I like snow. So, we are excited for it. I only have to be in the cold for 33 more days. One of the meals we make a lot is broccoli beef. I like to cook and they encourage us to ear healthy. The new white handbook comes out in the gospel library on Friday. So, we are excited about that. Youngstown is interesting. It is just being abandoned. Everyone is leaving here. It is a very different environment than anywhere else I've been. 
There are a lot of small animals in Ohio and no road cleaning businesses. So, there are a lot of dead animals on the road all of the time. We have lots of possums, bugs, raccoons, beavers, snakes, and bats. 
I have been in 7 areas on my mission... 1- Mad Lake, 2- Gahanna, 3- Alliance, 4- Columbus, 5- Cambridge, 6- Cleveland YSA (which was my favorite), and 7- Youngstown. I am not sure if I will go to another area for the last two weeks of my mission. We shall see.
I have had 13 companions... 1- Harward, 2- Madsen, 3- Peter Smith, 4- Loutzenhizer, 5- Hooper, 5- Baldwin, 7- Norris, 8- Henshaw, 9- Rasmussen, 10- Green, 11- Stoddard, 12- Madsen, and 13 - Anderson.
My mom asked me today what the hardest part of being a missionary has been. I thought about it and I think it is people not realizing the importance of our Heavenly Father's plan. They say I am spiritual but not religious. I believe in Jesus Christ, but many people just aren't willing to take steps toward Jesus. I recently read a talk "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox.  It is a great talk. It kind of sums up my feelings about what makes a mission tough. People are living for the here and now. They believe in Jesus and that he saved them, but they don't know why or why we are here. What is the whole point of life? This question is one not many know. We are here to learn and become like him. We are the only church on Earth that knows exactly why we are here and where we are going. People worry about the here and now, but not about the forever. The purpose of life is to endure it well and learn. His grace can save us, but we have to do our part. This life will end but salvation won't. I have truly learned a lot on my mission about why I am here and what is important. I can't believe I will be home in just over a month. 
Elder Davis

Service Opportunity

Building a Deck with Elder Lambert

One More Month

Wow! What a Week & Uchtdorf - November 4, 2019

Elder Uchtdorf is coming to our mission this month. The whole mission will be meeting with him (which has never happened) for a three hour meeting. We are so hyped. It is going to be an amazing experience. We had trunk or treat this past week. The other elders and us had the best decorated cars. Everyone loved the minion. The little girl in the picture asked us if it was a real minion and we said yes. She wanted a picture with it. It was funny. We are teaching some amazing people. We found them by just walking around and talking to people. It is great teaching them. 
We got to watch the new Nativity Video from the church. It is amazing. Seriously the best church video they have ever made. It comes out November 24th. You will love it. Only the missionaries have seen it so far. The new Light the World initiative is amazing too. It is a lot of one on one ministering. You can get a text everyday about what service to provide. I am excited about that. 
Me and Elder Lambert went on splits this week, and we got the Popeyes Sandwich. It is pretty good.  We also ate at jib jab hot dogs this week for dad. It is a great The weather is getting cold too. It has been like 30 degrees here no snow yet. 
I went on exchanges this week with Elder Bishop. He is from Pennsylvania. It was a good day. 
Elder Hooper and I sang at zone conference. We sang A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief. 
We had a stake fireside this week. They were an Ahmish family who were converted to the church. It was really interesting. They are the Troyer Family. 
We also heard about the new white handbook. There are no wake up or sleep times. There is no music rule, you get 2 hours a day for dinner and lunch whenever you need it. You can do district activities again. So, it will go into effect after I leave. Oh well :)
It has been a great week and the work moves on. 5 Weeks left.  I'm going to keep working until the end. 
Elder Davis

Layla, Us, and the Minion

Elder Lambert and Companion

MLC Meeting in Columbus