Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This week we got two of our investigators a baptismal date so that's been great! I was also able to teach another lesson in English to a man from Ghana. I really dislike teaching in English now haha it's actually kind of difficult to find the words. We also had the chance to teach a Muslim in Spanish! Which isn't something that happens every day but this lady spoke 7 languages fluently. She was from Saudi Arabia but her parents were from Spain. I don't know what the other languages were but we heard her speak at least 3 with a perfect native accent. So she was very interesting. We also talked a woman from Pakistan this week! So it's been full of diversity.

One of the highlights was talking to an American at his doorstep and he kept saying over and over again that our church told us to vote for Trump... We tried to correct him but he was persistent and I quote, "It's true It's true It's true It's true It's true It's true, I swear It's true!!" We then saw the same man today in the parking lot of Walmart and I said "Is that the "It's true" guy??" Sure enough he runs up to us and starts ranting about Trump and polygamists and said, It's true about another 6 times so we're really good friends with him now! haha

As a spiritual thought I would just like to share one of my favorite scriptures. It is found in the Gospel of John 14:18. "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you." I love reading this chapter and pondering Christ's love for his Apostles as he spoke to them. I always feel that he has that same love for me, and therefore I have the same promise. We all have times that we feel "comfortless." But The Savior is always there for us just waiting to help us to overcome all the things in this life that are going to make us better. We simply need to kneel down and humbly ask for his help. I love you all. Please keep praying fervently and often. It's so important for all of us. :)

Elder Brunsdale

Fasting and Planes

This week was great!  We've been doing some work with less active members and its incredible to see someone remember their testimony and feel the joy of the Gospel in their lives again. It's not always easy to go to church and keep the commandments, in fact it's almost always hard. But it's always worth it. I know that without a doubt.

My companion and I live right near the National Aerospace museum in Dulles where part of Transformers 3 was filmed so we visited that today! It was a super cool experience and made me ponder how incredible it is that we're able to fly, and we just take it for granted sometimes. But here's some pictures of that! There's also a picture of my companion and I walking down a very long road because we had a "car fast" on Saturday. Which made us very grateful that we can drive as well! 

Speaking of Fasting I would like to share a quick scripture.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

I was pondering this scripture and felt a deep sense of peace and comfort. I thought about how Christ must have been feeling at this moment. He knew that he was about to go through the most excruciatingly painful experience that anyone ever had and ever will go through. He must have been fearful and afraid. But we read of him reaching out in love to his apostles and comforting them. His focus was never on himself. Because he loves us so dearly Christ's love and peace is always available to us. 

To tie this back into Fasting, I know that when we fast and pray sincerely that we will receive great blessings. If we're struggling to feel the peace of our Savior. Fasting is an amazing opportunity that we have to increase our spiritual sensitivity and receive answers to prayers. After all "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven" 

Love you all. Keep praying (and fast too!) 

Elder Brunsdale

Me and my new companion Elder Thompson.