Hallelujah!

Yes - yesterday was the annual "Messiah Sing-a-long" at the Ashburn
Stake center, and it was amazing! Hundreds of voices singing
Hallelujah sent chills down my spine; so wonderful. Although, when it
was advertised in the paper, it read, "Messiah Sin-a-long"... so that
was awkward. ;)

So what's been going on here in Leesburg, part of Loudoun County, the
nation's wealthiest county? Nothing.

...terrible!

Nothing terrible. ;D things here are flowing very nicely actually.
Wake up, exercise, study, tract, lunch, tract, dinner/lesson, visit,
plan, sleep. That's pretty much it (not counting all the little
variables inbetween;) ) - we met a guy (Jeremiah) the other night, and
he's definitely wanting discussions. He's divorced, has one kid, he's
got tons of half brothers and sisters, served four years in the army,
from North Carolina, Christian upbringing, and he said he's willing to
listen to us. "As long as what you're teaching is rings true to me, I
will listen to every word you say"

Ya dang straight what we got is true! :D

OH. So I also found out yesterday that my bishop was A CASE OFFICER
FOR THE CIA FROM 1981 TO 2006. And you never would've guessed, because
Bishop Wride is so calm and collected! He's super polite, and he's
always so nice to everyone.

...okay maybe if you think about it, he'd be perfect for the CIA and
undercover work. Ya know those movies with the guy and his family who
live in a decent house in a decent village while the guy does his work
in the country he's assigned, and then when bad things go down they
relocate to a different house that night? Yep, that was Bishop Wride
and his family for quite a while, actually. Nothing but love and
utmost respect for that man; he's seen and done things that would last
me a lifetime.

Welp, I love you guys! Merry Christmas, and keep in mind why we
celebrate Christmas. I'm sure you've all seen the video "He is the
Gift" that the church released - after #heisthegift fades away towards
the end, there's someone reading their scriptures, and someone else
praying. Those are two ways we can discover the gift: Jesus Christ.
Think of different ways that you've seen His hand in your life, and
then think of ways you can show your gratitude to Him. Not just for
the season, but every day.

Elder Taps :)