Week 35 - March 16, 2026

 Don't Look Down

Hit the official 8-month mark this week. It feels kinda weird because the time has gone by so fast, and I can't believe I'm at 8 months, and then I look back at everything that has happened and I can't believe it's only been 8 months. 

Temple

We had a temple visit with one of our recent converts who really wants to get to the temple, and it was such a cool experience. We only walked into the lobby but the second we stepped in the Spirit was soooo strong, and he was just smiling so big and was sooo happy to be there. Spirit was actually so crazy, the emotional side of me kicked in, not sure who I get this from. It was so insane seeing and feeling the difference between inside and outside the temple with him. Blessed to be where we are, to say the least.

💯💯Highlights💯💯

🚶‍♂️: This week Hill and I hit some record amounts of walking, but we found a ton of super cool people. Five of the people we found this week came to church the first Sunday we invited them. Love to see it.

🎂: We got invited to this member's 2-year-old daughter's birthday party and I've never seen so many people at a function. The good dinosaur theme was elite tho.

🥤: I've never seen someone drink as much Coke as Elder Hill every day. It is almost impressive. He just cycles one-liter Cokes all day.

🚪: One night we were finishing up the last 20 minutes we had to work with some good door knocking. And we got to this house, and I was getting ready to drop an incredible thought on them when halfway through, he mentioned that he was already a member and his family, also. 

⛪️: We had some fire church activities this week with one night we had a full missionary prep activity and anyone that had gone on a mission brought a ton of their stuff, and it was super cool. The other one we only stopped by for a second, but "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" was going. Shout out, Perry.

🗣: Elder Hill said he woke up in the middle of the night, and I was teaching a lesson in Spanish in my sleep, so I must be dialed right now.

2️⃣: We had 200 people in church this Sunday, it was crazy. Just normal church Sunday and 200 people pulled up. 

Spiritual thought

So, this last week we ran a family home evening at a member's house and it was super cool. Hill and I quickly on the spot came up with the idea that we were going to read about Lehi's dream and after each part, someone was going to draw that part of the scene on a piece of paper. Obviously, this is a super common story and one I've heard hundreds of times, but this time something came to my mind that I had never thought of.

Of course, when we think of the dream we think of those people holding the iron rod. They are following the light of Christ and progressing closer to the most desirable fruit. They are maybe not perfect but continue to hold on. On the other side, we have those in the building mocking those that are holding steadfast to the rod. They are trying to show that they have it all. But something I realized as I looked at the pictures throughout the lesson was that maybe the people holding steadfast were missing something.

As I think more and more, I hope that these people weren't just holding on to the iron rod, but when they saw someone let go and start to wander towards the building, they didn't put their head down and keep going. I hope those holding steadfast were yelling at these people that were slowly losing sight of the tree. I hope they were doing all they could to help those around them to come back. To make sure they knew what was the greater good. The tree was never given a limit on the fruit it could give but rather gave an aspiration to all that ate it, to invite everyone to participate. Lehi didn't keep what he had to himself. He gave all he could to have his kids partake of it too.

It cannot be enough to put your head down and keep going forward. It cannot be enough to do just your part and think that's sufficient. It cannot be enough to “cross the finish line”. But most importantly, to be the reason why someone comes back. Don't just look down but to the right and left, also. Don't just look down but yell to those that may slowly be drifitng away. There is no greater joy then the joy from our Savior. And there is no greater joy than having someone to share that joy with. 

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

I love you and miss you all and hope you have incredible weeks. I love seeing any and all of your emails.

Elder Wilde