It has been an absolutely phenomenal week. It’s also been extremely long. But in a good way. Last Tuesday we had exchanges with the Assistants in Lindell, which is a suburb of St. Louis. I am getting so much exposure to lots of Missionaries with lots of experience as a very young missionary. I’m grateful for the chance I got to be with some really good missionaries for that. AND even better, one of them had a guitar so I got to play a lot! I played some ‘Come, Come ye Saints’, ‘Be Still My Soul’, and more! It was really awesome to play the guit-fiddle again. I miss it.
This week we also had zone conference. Every district had to come up with a skit. Ours was absolutely hilarious. Since our Mission President is kinda bald (not as bald as I am), I got to make some funny jokes about that. Other missionaries tried to make bald jokes with crappy homeade bald caps, but you can’t beat the real thing. We made fun of President’s youngest son who is obsessed with Fortnite and the subject line for this email is how we ended our skit. If it was a competition, we easily would’ve won best skit.
We also had an amazing experience learning about the Atonement together. Christ’s Atonement is so…indescribable. Isn’t it amazing how everytime you study Jesus Christ or the Atonement, you learn something new? It’s truly remarkable and I love how the gospel works like that.
Billy and Tammy got baptized this week! It had been a little over two years since they first talked to the missionaries on the day they got baptized. We got some pictures of them coming out of the font. The joy in their eyes was so potent. I couldn’t help but smile the whole time. The Holy Ghost was also extremely strong when they were confirmed. To use a phrase I coined this week, “We were all hit by the Spirit F-350”. That’s a little truck humor for you there. It was an extremely special day for some special people. The problem is I’ve had three baptisms in my first transfer, so I feel like it’s gonna be a rough couple transfers after this for good ole Elder Inkley. But ces la vie. Or however you spell it.
Many of you may have seen my dad receive a buttload of TaB from an anonymous donor this week. I believe the good Lord is blessing us because during our Walmart run, I found DP10!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH. It has been so long since I had DP10. It is better than just Doctor Pepper out of a can. And I stand by that. I will die on that hill.
Apparantly something cool happened in the Mandalorian this week. Someone in the Cape Girardeau ward already spoiled something from earlier in Season 2 for me so if ANY OF YOU SPOIL ANYTHING ELSE “I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND GUT YOU LIKE A FISH”. Please be kind this Christmas season to us missionaries who are trying so hard not to focus on it. Thanks!
I’ve been leaving you all with a Christlike attribute to think about and study. This week, I’d like to leave you with a thought about all the Christlike attributes. All of them can be achieved in one simple move or act. By simply turning outward, instead of inward, you can become more Christlike. Caring for others first means caring for yourself. My own mental health has gotten better because I have so much purpose and that purpose is focused on serving others. It’s especially easy to get sucked into the “ME ME ME” mentality, especially during Christmas. But if we can all take a moment to turn outward, instead of inward, we can help Light the World. Not just this December, but always.
I love you all and hope you have a phenomenal Christmas week. Enjoy as much time as you can with your families., whether it’s virtual or in person. Families are the most important unit for society and Christmas is a great time to bond together and grow closer. Merry Christmas all!
Elder Inkley
PICS!
1. Zone conference
2. Billy and Tammy’s baptism!
3 and 4. DP10 BABY!
5. Sweater gang. We love sweaters
6. I love this sign. Go cards!!!
