Monday, October 20, 2014 It's always sunny in Brighton! Unless it's not...

Haha it's been pretty cold and gloomy here, the whole first week I was here it was sunny and not a cloud was in the sky... But it's been rainy and cold for the past couple weeks so I've busted out that brand new trench coat from Petersons! Anyways, here's my week:

October 13th, 2014

Today was P-Day! The Howell Elders (Elder Beckstrom and Elder Dorsey) came over to our apartment and we played Risk. Then we went to the Wellings for dinner and it was a crazy atmosphere!! Hahaha kids running everywhere and stuff while we ate our food. They stuffed us with food and then kicked us out because they were taking one of their kids (Jesse) out to a movie. So we got back and I did my laundry, and then Elder Redd and I reviewed the lesson we are teaching at institute tomorrow night! I'm obsessed with the song "Glorious" by David Archuleta that was in the "Meet The Mormons" soundtrack. It's so dang good.

October 14th, 2014

Today was New Missionary Orientation! So all of the Elders and Sisters that came in at the same time as me were there. President Gerber gave us a TON of great thoughts and insights. He also clarified some of the rules a few Missionaries are struggling with. Then the two Assistants to the President (AP's) gave a lesson of some sort, and then opened it up for questions. I learned a lot, it was a really great day! I also am really glad I got to see all of my MTC District there, it was so cool to see them again. Then tonight we got to teach institute! The topic was Faith in Jesus Christ. All in all today was great. I feel invigorated moreso than ever before to just get out there and do missionary work. Tomorrow is our Zone Meeting, and then right after that we're going on exchanges! So from 1:00pm tomorrow, until 1:00pm on Thursday, I will be with a different companion! That should be pretty cool.

October 15th, 2014

Today we had Zone Meeting and it was amazing! I learned so much. Then afterwards we started our exchanges! Elder Beckstrom came to Brighton and so I was in charge for the day. Elder Redd went to Howell. Elder Beckstrom and I get along really well. We went tracting for 2 and a half hours, and then after dinner we went street contacting for 1 hour. We taught the Restoration on 1 doorstep! Haha, quite a few people asked if we could come back another day so we will! Elder Beckstrom is a stud. We're going to kill it tomorrow too! I feel that my testimony has grown a lot just from my experiences today at Zone Meeting and with Elder Beckstrom. Especially about the importance of our message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We take it for granted sometimes, but it is literally priceless. That is why we must share it with anyone and everyone we meet, just like Elder Bednar talked about in conference.

October 16th, 2014

Elder Beckstrom went back to Howell today at 1:00pm and Elder Redd came back as well. We knocked on quite a few doors but no one answered! At about 10:45am Elder Beckstrom and I went to Jamie Phillip's apartment (a Less Active in our ward) and read Alma 2 with her because that's where she was in her personal study! It was really awesome! Exchanges are the bomb, I want to have more of them! Susan called us this morning and told us that she had energy without drinking her coffee and that she felt amazing, and that Mark was having the same experience! It truly is amazing what faith in the Lord allows HIM to do.

October 17th, 2014

Today we tracted for about 2 hours all together with not much success. Mark called us around lunchtime though and told us that he is doing well with no coffee too which is awesome!! Later this evening we stopped by a less-actives home and talked with her and got to know her a little bit, she is really cool! I am finally gaining my sense of direction here in Michigan! I can tell if we are going North, South, East or West now, without any Mountains for a reference point! Haha, it's harder than it sounds! And the sky is SO BIG because of the lack of mountains here.

October 18th, 2014

Today was super awesome! And it is my sister Clarissa's birthday! I hope you had a great day Claire! You will be receiving a letter from me with a small gift in the mail soon, I'm sending it out on Monday, so don't freak out and think I have forgotten about you. Don't go crazy with the boys, you can only start dating when I get back home. Same goes for you Courtney!! Haha anyways, today was the Adult session of Stake Conference at 7:00pm, and I was definitely edified and uplifted there. It's pretty cool being here where ward boundaries cover a population of at LEAST 60,000 people. Since there are much fewer LDS people here, the ones who are LDS have a lot more work to do and they recognize that, and take action. The people are so willing to share the Gospel here with their friends and neighbors. It's awesome!! It's so great! We need more of that back home in Meridian and Boise, members taking action and sharing the Gospel regularly. It would make such a big impact! Anyways, the Stake President called all of the full time Missionaries up to the stand, so we all walked up the aisles and stood in the choir seats, then President announced that we would be singing "Called to Serve," so we did, all 31 of us, and it was so cool! The Spirit was so strong, it testified to me that this is where I am supposed to be, and the work that I am doing is more than worthwhile.

October 19th, 2014

Today was Stake Conference! it wasn't nearly as great as the Adult Session last night, but it was still good! We went over to the Yockey's afterwards for lunch and that was super good. Then for dinner we went to the Shamoon's! Brother Shamoon is an Entrepreneur who used to own a large business, sold it, and now flips homes! So I got to talk to him about my Dad's work and stuff so that was neat to have that in common!

I'm doing great guys, thank you for all of your support! I love you all so much. I want you all to know that I have a testimony of how real the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. The same exact church that Jesus Christ established during His mortal ministry on the Earth has been restored, and along with it the Priesthood keys necessary to perform saving ordinances, and direct His Church. I have gained a stronger testimony of Family History work, and how the Spirit of Elijah can influence us in great ways if we diligently seek out our ancestors. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord for 2 years!! I will serve with all of my heart, might, mind and strength, and I know the Lord will bless me in my endeavors and my family and friends for my efforts. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,

-Elder Goff