Things are looking up!

This past week, I hit 18 months of being a missionary. That's a hard concept to grasp, especially since I know that these last 6 months are going to by much faster than I'd like them to. I really wish I could serve for a few months longer, but I know that the Lord has other things in mind for me after my full-time service to Him is complete. He has richly blessed me here, and I know I need to follow His will for me. 

We had another musical fireside this weekend - this time, we were in Warwick, RI. It was cool to see another part of the mission as we drove through many towns there, including the city of Providence (which reminded me a LOT of Lynn, from my first area). I've realized that at each of these firesides, I learn something new about myself, about my Heavenly Father, and about my relationship with him, and this fireside was no different! I'm grateful for personal revelation and for the powerful Spirit that always seems to attend these firesides. 

Speaking of music, I got asked to sing for the Gospel Doctrine class yesterday. The teacher spoke with me earlier in the week and asked me to sing "Jesus, Once of Humble Birth" for his class, and I did so yesterday. It was a cool experience to do my own arrangement and perform it, playing the piano and singing at the same time. I can't take the credit for everything I did though, since with the limited time I drew on other arrangements and things I had heard before. Don't worry Mom, I recorded it for you. =]

This area is definitely a difficult one. We don't have any real investigators and only a couple of potentials at the moment. The members of our ward aren't too helpful when it comes to missionary work, although we have a few select families that really do "get it," including our Bishop and Elders Quorum President and their families. All of that being said, though, things are beginning to look up. Ward council is doing better, we're formulating a better plan for how to help the members and find investigators, and Elder Broadhead and I are putting in work! We're building the Kingdom of God, little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept. =] 

Elder Broadhead and I are doing well together, and we're excited to get things done here. We have an additional companionship of sisters in this area, making 8 missionaries in the Worcester wards! One companionship of Elders and one companionship of Sisters for each ward. Our new sisters, Sis. Buchanan and Sis. Hobbs are both awesome, and we're working together to move things along.  I'm really looking forward to this transfer! I feel very happy and upbeat about the potential that this area holds. 

With love, 

Elder DeLong