Happy Thanksgiving!! Week 41!

So because I am a couple weeks behind, I have lots to update you on! First of all, last week we did exchanges with the Zone Leaders in Vineland! Elder Crowther and Elder Warden came down from Philly! We had a great night, and Elder Crowther started his mission there so we said hi to a lot of members! 

Last week, we did service for a member helping her clean out her workshop on her property. It was a really fun time and we found some really cool records and things! 

We also had the opportunity to go to the Priesthood Restoration Site! Elder Macrum and Elder Nelson had a good time learning about the history and feeling the strong spirit that is there. This time was a lot different for me, because all the leaves had fallen and it wasn’t as green. But despite the change of scenery, the spirit was still the same and everyone could feel the sacredness of what happened there. If you would like to learn more about this place, here’s an article!
https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/subsection/historic-sites/pennsylvania/priesthood-restoration-site?lang=eng

Last week we had 3 people come to church for their first time!! Eddie, Robert, and Hugo! We were so excited for them, and they all really liked it! Unfortunately none of them made it the following week, but we are going to keep helping them anyway we can.

This week was pretty tough. Our friends that were progressing the most moved back to their home countries, and with the holiday less people were home and I think my companions and I had a little homesickness. We worked really hard and spent a lot of time searching for new people to teach. We had a really great exchange with the Bridgeton elders, Elder Stanley and Baker! We both had some really good dinners cooked by members, and it’s been a blast having exchanges every week! I love getting to know the elders, learning from them, and trying to help them become better missionaries!

We also did some service for a member named Adelfo and we are so excited for them! After living in the upstairs of a home for 3 years, they got a new rental house that is really nice! We helped them move their things, clean their old apartment, and paint all of the walls! It’s been raining pretty hard here and I’m glad we got to be indoors for most it! 

Today is Elder Nelson’s last P-day with us, tomorrow he heads to Portugal for his mission! It’s been a blast having him here with us. I’m super proud of the progress he’s made and I’m really looking forward to hearing about his mission in Portugal! 

Well everyone, I am so grateful for you. I was really able to feel your prayers this week and I needed them for sure. I hope you all had a fun and safe holiday, and I hope the spirit of love and gratefulness carries as we enter the season of Christmas! If you haven’t watched this incredible video of the birth of Jesus Christ, please do so and listen to the Spirit testify of its significance! 
https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world/the-christ-child

I love you all and I hope you have a fantastic week! Go forward with faith and prepare every day to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

-Elder Petty