The Final Zone Conference

Has this week been great or what?! It honestly went by super fast. This week will mark my final Zone Conference on my mission. I am forever grateful for all 16 zone conferences I've attended and for the light and wisdom I have gained from them. 

We were literally busy all week long. I sat down last night and basically fell asleep as soon as I hit the couch when we got back to the apt. Here's some highlights of the week:

• I drove 450 miles since Tuesday. The New Portage elders were without a car all week, so we drove them around to all of their lessons as well as still covered our area with lessons. We averaged about 6 to 7 lessons per day in the Akron Ward plus still 3 to 4 lessons from the New Portage ward everyday. Busy busy busy. 
• Me and Elder Sanchez were able to do 12 hrs of service and help with 4 service projects. You may have seen 2 of them on my facebook posts. But we: Moved everything out of Kent State apt, then painted/stained a table and bench, then put together an entire full size chicken coop, then installed a wooden picket fence. I was so grateful for the amount of times last week I found myself smiling because of the ability Heavenly Father gave me to use my talents to put together things that for some of them I had never ever tried to put together. ;)
• We had 2nd hr church yesterday and are officially back to normal for that. And, the Akron Stake is no longer requiring masks at church, AND the Ohio State mask mandate was lifted on Wednesday last week. It was nice to be able to walk around, at stores, through the park, and yesterday at church and to be able to talk to people without breathing through a mask. Such a blessing.
  
• We had 3 training visit exchanges last week. One with both companionships in my district, and then one with the Zone Leaders on Saturday. It was honestly so much fun to get together with other elders and to learn from them and just be with them. So grateful we do have that opportunity now to get together as missionaries more often.
• We were able to help give 2 priesthood blessings yesterday. I'm so grateful for the power and blessing of the priesthood and for the ability to administer and minister to those in need when they need it. I think that is what the Savior Himself exemplified daily, was focusing on the one but ministering to all.
  

My testimony has been strengthened beyond measure this week. I've been thinking a lot about goals and plans lately. And last week I had a very powerful and spiritual moment one day where I felt that Heavenly Father truly does loves plans and goals, we just have to be ready to act on what we say we are going to do. And quote to end the email with today comes from Sister Horgesheimer last transfer: "Plans sometimes have to change, but they're still plans".

So glad Lola had so much fun at her dance recital. Lola K I'm excited to watch you this summer and fall with dancing! Super happy you could go to Mark Walker's funeral. Truly will miss him. I hope you all had such a great week!

I miss and pray for you all everyday. I'm reminded everyday how blessed I've been in life and these 2 yrs to have such a great support system at home cheering me on. Can't wait to see you all soon!

Love you always and forever  .  .  .

Elder McEwan