Was last week awesome or what? So grateful for what this last week brought with it. Over the last 4 weeks, I have driven over 1,000 miles with trips to Columbus, Athens, and Jackson. It has been quite the ride 😉 What did you all do this week? How did the first half of Christmas break go?
I thought I would start this weeks email out by coming up with my "New Year's Resolution". I decided that for the year 2021, I want to focus on the mindset of "Creative Engagement". I want to be creating and making things happen, and I want to be always staying optimistic. When we stay positive and optimistic, we win everytime. I am so grateful for the opportunity we have every January 1 to start over and start fresh on a new year, and to be just a little better and stronger that year we are going into. Let us make this year our best one yet. So many experiences and adventures will happen as we turn to Jesus Christ and allow Him to help us to achieve our goals and plans.
Well 2 weeks ago I thought my week had been busy with 2 training visits and zone conference. But this week was just as, if not even more busy. It was my first district council as district leader, and so I sent out the Prepare to Learn agenda for it at the beginning of the week/assigned trainings/and made sure everything was as ready as it possibly could be. It ended up going super well on Wednesday. And there is actually a back story as to why I was late to district council, but we will talk about that in a sec. So yeah district council was great as we focused on Setting Goals and Plans, and focusing on our purpose as missionaries. We went on exchanges right after district council with the Jackson elders, where we went and helped a member down there work on his garage that he is turning into a house for him and his wife. We nailed, cut wood, etc etc. Kind of reminded me of doing some of that once upon a time ago ;) We got back to Chillicothe at about 9 pm, I reported numbers for the district, and then I think just went to sleep after that.
So remember how I said there was a story to being late, well so here we go. And trust me, it was such a great way to be late! Brother Heer called on Wednesday morning and said that he needed us to go with him to give a priesthood blessing to Brother Kaufman and his son. They live about 35 min away from our apartment. It was 8:40 am and so I was like, yeah lets do it! We got to Brother Kaufmans house at 9:30 and visited and then gave the 2 blessings. Left his house at 9:55 to drive 35 min back to the apartment to then hop in our car, and then in Elder McEwan's best driving mode (only passed one cop, and thankfully I saw him earlier so I slowed down) drove down to Jackson for district council which was supposed to start at 10:30 but ended up starting at about 11:15. Haha it was a fun morning! Oh and I had a district leaders meeting with the other Dl's in the mission and President H and the assistants on Wednesday morning at 8 am. We talked about how we can best be helping the other members of our districts and how we can be leading and serving in love. Such a great meeting!
Thursday morning, the assistants called us and said they needed us to drive up to Columbus to pick up E. Bennett's medication for him being epileptic. So we called Sister McMahan and told her we needed to have our lesson/pick up our food just a tad bit earlier, picked it up, and drove the hour and a half to the mission office in Columbus, got his meds, and drove back to Chilli. Got back and we picked up some food from Walmart to make for Christmas day. Then we had 2 more lessons that night over the phone. We left the church bldg to head home at like 8 pm I think, and there was like 15 inches of snow on the ground!! So we took a little longer to get home because I don't think Chillicothe people have seen or had snow in almost 7 years they told us . . . Definately not me :) We opened the FIRST gifts of Christmas which was some pajamas! Thank you guys for sending them! I love them so much.
Christmas morning! E. Bennett said I could NOT wake him up before 6:30, so I woke myself up instead at 4 am and went and sat on the couch downstairs and then worked out for a little bit, and then we planned for the day. Then I facetimed you guys and it was so fun to open up presents with you all. I love the gifts you all sent! Again thank you so much. We went over to Brother and Sister Wagners house and picked up our dinner and had a nice visit with them and their 2 kids. She is from Peru and so its fun to hear her speak spanish to us! We then went over to the church and had the district come and ate dinner together and then played a few games of basketball, uno, and spikeball. Such a fun time and a great way to spend Christmas! We left at like 9:30 to head home. Overall, great great day.
Saturday was an interesting day! We had 5 lessons though which was great. 3 were over the phone and 2 were in person. It is fun to do the in person ones because Chillicothe is comprised of over 1100 square miles, and we cover ALL OF IT. So whenever we have the miles to do in person, that is what we do. Brother Cain called us Saturday night and said that his test results came back positive, and so he is quarantining for like 7 to 10 days I think. President H told us to stay low for a few days and then if no symptoms come from either of us, then we are good to resume normality. So Saturday I started quarantine #3 which has been great. President told me something that resonated strong, 'Sometimes the Lord's work brings lots of uncomfortable times." Just like Elder Holland says, "Christianity is great, but often not comfortable." Saturday night we had the district devotional over messenger which was a ton of fun!
Sunday we zoomed into Chillicothe Ward sacrament meeting, and did the sacrament itself just the 2 of us. I am so grateful for the chance I have to hold the priesthood to still be able to do what the Lord needs me to do. Being able to do it at home over the course of the last 10 months has taught me so much about the importance of taking the sacrament WEEKLY. Then I zoomed into Knoll Park Ward sacrament meeting and watched cousin Derrick deliver a powerful talk on being grateful and staying and remaining positive. So grateful for your words bud! It is so important to remain happy and cheerful even when the path in front of us is foggy just a little. We went over to Sister McMahans and got food (if you haven't noticed, she feeds us a lot). Then we had a lesson over the phone with Sister Zufelt and then were able to take both a bible and a book of mormon over to her house for her to give to a friend she has been helping lately. We then had the mission devotional that night with the Horgesheimer's kids. They have been in town for the holidays and so it was a ton of fun to hear from them a little. And that concludes the week . . . :)
I wanted to share my testimony this week on something that President told everyone in the district leaders meeting on Wednesday, and how I feel that it applies to us as individuals in this life. He talked about "Positive Leadership" and how we as the ones who have the stewardship and responsibility for others need to be using positive leadership everywhere we go. If we walk around with our heads down, so will they. We have to and we need to, rise up and trust that Heavenly Father does indeed have a plan in place for us to get through each day. 2020 has been a little bit challenging for everyone . . . But I testify not only as a represenative of Jesus Christ, but as a son of a loving Heavenly Father, that we are never alone. And the Lord calls us to lead His work, and as we put forth every effort we can to lead this work, we will experience something so unimaginable, we will want to keep experiencing it. Keep reaching out in love and service to people, because they need it, WE ALL DO.
I have not done a challenge for a while, and so this week I want to challenge everyone to write down what their 2021 goal is going to be for having a fantastic year, and to set goals and plans for how you will reach that goal. :)
Things to look for for this week:
- District leaders and social media specialists meeting in Columbus south zone on Tuesday night
- District Council on Wednesday
- Training visit exchange with Zone leaders on Saturday here in Chillicothe
The weeks just keep getting better and better. Remember to keep a schedule or agenda for how you plan to go about the week. I promise it will bring so much happiness and peace knowing that you know what you will be doing for the week. Things may change as the week goes on, but then at the very least, you have a written rough draft already.
How is things going though for everyone? It really was so much fun to see everyone on Christmas day! So glad everyone is doing well and staying healthy and happy. :) I hope you guys all know how much I love you and care about you. You are all such amazing examples to me and teach me so much of how to be a stronger and better person each and everyday. Keep up the great work, and know that I am thinking about you guys constantly. :)
I love YOU Forever and Always . . .
Elder Dylan McEwan
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