{Letter #74} Let it Snow

Hi everyone! I hope you have had a great week! Things have been great here! It snowed a few inches here on Saturday, which may not sound too bad, but Portland does not know how to handle snow and it's stayed cold.  

That means all that snow is still there from Saturday and it is snowing more right now, so that's exciting!  The roads aren't great and the mission has advised us against driving until it melts away, so missionary work has been a challenge.  

We have been doing all sorts of phone calls, texts, and Facebook finding, which is great, but I miss being out and busy. Something that has been remarkable about all this, though,  is that we are still allowed to go out and walk around to visit with people nearby.

  And the biggest miracle of this whole situation is that every time we step out of our apartment to visit and talk to people, we have found someone to teach!

As missionaries we have been promised by a living prophet of God that "As you serve with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who will hear His message."

This means that we have been promised this by God!

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (Doctrine & Covenants, 1:38)

Besides all this we had interviews with President Botchway again. Those were amazing as always! He is very good at teaching what matters most in every situation. I had two main takeaways:

1. Lead by your example. Not just your words
2. Correct when necessary! it will benefit all people involved in the long run

Being stuck inside can honestly be tough. It is a bit of a challenge to be around 5 other people, who all have different opinions, constantly almost for 5 days straight.

But it has also taught me so much about love, service, and patience!

All things are for our benefit! To help us know Jesus Christ!

"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth... For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (Hosea, 6:3-6)

All things that are given to us, trials, joys, commandments, laws, liberties, or literally anything, is to help us know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.

My invitation to you all is to find Jesus Christ in your every day life! Look for what God is trying to teach you about Him!

He will bring you joy!

I love you all! I hope you all are doing great! Let me know if I can do anything for you all!

Love,
Elder Goold

PS from Mom:  Elder Goold mentioned that one day while they were trapped at home, he decided to do 35 pushups every 10 minutes for 5 hours.  He ended up doing almost 1200 push-ups!  😂

A doordashed meal from Mama G while we couldn't leave the house

 

Exchanges

A pre-snowstorm meal out

It's been very cold this week

Mealtime at the Botchways:  they fed us traditional Ghanaian food

Beautiful sunset view from our apartment

A glimpse at our family phone call this week:   (Me stuck in the apartment in Tualatin, Mom at the church in Alpine waiting for Ellie, Cami in Birmingham, Spence at home, Emma walking home from campus, Dad in Saint George:  NOT PICTURED:   Ellie having an interview at church, Garrett at home but not in the picture, Lucie sleeping)