Wadsworth, Ohio . . . Day 77

How are you all doing this week? My week was very eventful and adventurous! And some changes have happened, but I know that the Lord truly does have a plan for every single one of us. My testimony has been strengthened a lot in these last few days, and I'm so grateful that even when the "furnace" is hot, that Jesus Christ who is the refiner, "cools" us off with His loving sacrifice. I was reminded this week about the talk called, "The Gardener". In the talk, the gardener cuts down this big and beautiful current Bush, and the current Bush is unhappy because now the Bush is not beautiful and big. The bush asks the gardner why it cut it down, and the gardener replies with, "If I would've let you grow, you wouldnt have been what I wanted you to be. You will thank me, for loving you enough, to hurt you". I would like to ditto that statement: "You will thank me for loving you enough, to hurt you". Heavenly Father is in control, He is the gardener. Sometimes things don't make sense to us, but they do make sense to Him. Always remember that when all hope seems lost, "hope is never lost (Elder Holland)" when centered on Jesus Christ. 💛

So, I am now in the city of Wadsworth, Ohio and I am with Elders Johnson and Moorwood. I am speaking English now, and so it will be good. Elder Johnson has a Division 1 scholarship to play basketball at Oregon next year, he graduated from AF high school in 2019. Elder Moorwood graduated from Snow Canyon in 2018, and is going to be doing environmental science stuff when he gets home. It's been fun to now be in a trio companionship. I've been learning so so much! Also, I found out that Lebron James' mom lives here in Wadsworth! Not sure exactly where, that's just what everyone has been telling me. That's pretty cool, maybe I'll get to meet her! Elder Moorwood is also the district leader, so that's been pretty fun to be around again too.

Here is my new address:

195 South Pardee Street, Apt 307
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281

Wadsworth is such a cool place, and it has been super sunny and blue skies here which is super good too and I'm loving the good weather 🤗😉☀️

We have had some really good lessons here in Wadsworth. One of the ladies we are teaching is named Sarah. She lives here in Akron area, and is super cool! We prayed with her over the phone on Saturday night and it was great. She wants to be baptized but currently goes to another church, so she is trying to decide what to do. Keep her in your prayers please. The other lady is named Hannah. She travels all over the country, but loves meeting with the missionaries and we have been able to text back and forth with her. We have also been finding some great success and lots of mini miracles from doing and using facebook. What we do is we will either make a post, or message someone and be able to set up a video lesson  with them. Akron, Ohio has a lot of neighborhood pages that we joined, so we are able to talk with people through that too which is super cool.

Alrighty, the question we all have today . . . . Did we get released from self isolation/quarantine on Friday May 29th?? We did not get released from quarantine. We still are being told to stay inside. Which officially marks 77 days TODAY or 11 weeks, that we have now been inside on quarantine. As you all heard and SAW, things are getting crazy on protesting too. Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus Ohio areas are all being told to proceed with caution currently because there has been very violent protesting and violence this weekend and currently Governor Dewine has the Ohio National Guard dispatched out to these 3 locations. So, my guess right now is that I don't think the missionaries here in Ohio are going to be getting allowed and to have permission to be outside at least for the next 2-ish weeks. 

President and Sister Stratford have officially 29 days left of being here as Mission President and wife. They leave on June 30. Horgesheimers are supposed to arrive here on June 30. Which we are all super excited for! We have received 10 to 15-ish new re-assigned missionaries this last week, and we have about another 30 missionaries coming in the next 2 to 3 weeks. Super exciting times! 

This week was very humbling and I learned a lot this week about the true nature and characteristics of Jesus Christ, and about who He wants me to be. The atonement of Jesus Christ is true and real, and Heavenly Father answers prayers as we come to Him with a willing and humble and desirable heart. On Thursday this last week, I was feeling terrible inside and out, and was not feeling good at all. It was at this time that I fell to my knees, and offered a prayer for strength and for help. My testimony is this, I know Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior, He is there for us and He will help and guide us through everything. Heavenly Father has a plan, and He has things set in place for us. Having the spirit with you is important to have because there are key and pivotal decisions coming that will be needful to have the Spirit. ❤ 77 days of being in quarantine is swallowed up in the joy and love of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I know that this was how my mission was supposed to be. No, I didnt think I would be serving 3+ months inside of the apt, but honestly, as I look back on everything I've been able to learn and become over the last 3 months, I am truly truly humbled to be able to see a different side of me that I never thought I'd see in me. My heart is full today and always, for the countless miracles and blessings that are still being brought forth to help the Lords work go forth on the earth.💚

My invitation for us all this week (and always 😉) is: Use and share your testimony of Jesus Christ this week.

- Service
- Dropping plate of "treats" off on a doorstep
- Helping around the house
- Washing the car
- etc, etc

I know when we do this, it truly makes even the hardest days, the BEST AND MOST FULFILLING days as we turn outward and serve with Jesus Christ painted on our hearts.

Some fun things we have done this weekend: 

- Went running on Saturday morning on a high school track. I ran a 5k (3.2 miles) and it just felt so good to get out and move my legs really fast again :) It was a fun time that morning! 

- We went on a walk on Saturday and I fell into a creek and got SOAKED from head to toe, literally. It was pretty hilarious and I was quite the sight. Since we WALKED to the creek, then that meant we had to walk the 2 miles back to the apt. Which meant I had to walk back while I was soaking wet. What an adventure and I was getting some pretty funny looks 🤷‍♂️

- We went on a 6 mile walk around a huge park and waterfall on Sunday afternoon. It made me pretty tired, but it was so much fun. A lot of people were having parties and bbqs there too, so it was fun to say hi to them and talk to them a little. Then we did a little road trip before dinner and saw some more of the area. Johnson and Moorwood got doubled in during quarantine, so they haven't been able to see the area much, so it was good for all 3 of us to see it.

Crazy where this world is at, but the comfort is knowing that Heavenly Father has and is preparing us for far greater things to come 💚❤ 

I miss you guys so so much, and I'm very grateful for your constant love and support of me on my mission. Thank you for your wonderful examples to me and for always being there for me. I'm so excited to talk to everyone today! :) 

I love YOU Forever and Always 🤗

Elder Dylan