Elder Ethan Walbom -Orlando & Bogota, Columbia Mission experiences!

Well, my first area ended quickly... That's right I'm getting transferred to a new area called Apopka (still in the Orlando Mission). I will be in a trio and I'm super stoked to go there and to find the elect and invite them to come unto Christ. I've loved all the people I've met here in Valencia, I've had such a cool district and so many cool families that I was able to meet as well. I was able to teach and baptize 2 people who I love so much and hope they can continue to stay on the covenant path. Despite all that I'm leaving behind I'm super excited to be going to a new area. I also had the incredible opportunity to have an Apostle, Elder Ronald A Rasband, give a short devotional and Q&A for our mission as a Christmas gift to his granddaughter who is in the Orlando mission. He (and his granddaughter) talked about being flexible and pliable in the hands of the Lord. Sister Chade (the granddaughter) struck me with her phrase "But if not". ...

These past 2 weeks  I had another baptism and confirmation, exchanges and Thanksgiving!  The baptism was great- she's a 15 year old superstar! She reminds me of how grateful I am to have been born to parents who raised me with the gospel because I don't know if I could've accepted the gospel truths as a teenager. The fact that she is 15 and accepting the gospel and choosing to be baptized and keep Christ's commandments blows my mind! She wasn't without her bumps and struggles and doubts but she made it and I got to baptize her.  I went on exchanges again with the zone leaders (the other one this time). It was a good exchange and I learned that in some situations you just need to laugh and give people the benefit of the doubt.  Thanksgiving was fun! We got together as a zone for 5 hours and played football and made shirts. After that we just did studies until we went to a member family for dinner. They were super cool and it was interesting to have a Thanksgiving...