Merry Christmas from Elder Noble to you! And Grace from God our Father, and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ! This past week was very eventful so I'll hit each days highlights in order.

Monday: We had a pretty elite Prep Day as we got to have Zone sports again where we all get together with a bunch of missionaries and play games and sports. We played volleyball which for some reason despite my more relaxed clothing, I played significantly worse than the time where I wore a tie and dress shoes and dawged on everyone. We also had a white elephant drink exchange with everyone, so it was a white elephant with just drinks. I won a Peach Monster! 

Tuesday: We went and served at Christian Cupboard a local food pantry. I get the opportunity to meet lots of people there and also a chance to help feed the hungry. We have a lot of fun there each week 😄 

Wednesday: We had District Council and I gave my first training. Each week someone will give a training on a principal we should be doing. I chose to give mine on the importance of teaching while finding and to always being sharing the gospel. 

Thursday: Elder Echols treated us to the best meal I've had on my mission so far! We went to the Burnt Bean in Seguin which is a special BBQ restaurant that has a Michelin Star. They're open Thursday-Sundays from 11am to when they sell out of food. We hopped in line around 9am and only had to wait 1 and a half hours till we sat down. Which is pretty good considering if you don't get there early you'll be looking at a wait that's a few hours plus they might sell out of whatever menu item you want before you get there. But I got the best brisket I've ever had!!! It was so tender and juicy and had the perfect smoke flavor. I also got a Queso Mac n Cheese with Hot Cheeto crumbs on it and it was delicious. Also had a really good burger, corn street pudding, and bacon ranch taters, and a red tres leches cake. All of which was great! 

Friday: We went back up to the Lifeboat; a doomsday homestead that Joe Matlock (local Seguin church member) is buidling. We built a deer stand for hunting deer on the property and that was a lot of fun. We heard that they already got two deer from using the deer stand! That's the best thing we've gotten to do at the Lifeboat so far. Elder Williams and I then went on an exchange the rest of the day and so we got to work together. That was a lot of fun and we are very good friends and it's always great learning from each other. 

Saturday: To be totally honest this day was FUBAR. That's a term some Texans taught me and I'll let you figure it out. But this day sucked! No one wanted to talk to us but we did our best and laughed along the way. 

Sunday: Church was pretty good and I enjoyed the Christmas spirit. None of the friends we are actively teaching came, but our friend Joel who is a returning member, came to church for the first time in 22 years! Later in the evening, we met a group of kids who were so excited to hear we were talking about Jesus Christ. We all sat down on the pavement together and talked about the Book of Mormon and how much God loves them. On our way out of the area, a little boy named Christopher asked if we had knocked his neighbors door. We hadn't but he said he felt like we should so he came with us and knocked the door himself! 

This leads into my spiritual thought. Each of us are born with what is called the Light of Christ. It is that instinctual pull to Jesus Christ when we are young. And as we grow up and are confronted with the darkness and corruption of the world we slowly loose the attributes of an innocent child and we have a harder time seeing that Light of Christ. I have met so many parents who say we are not interested but their kids right next to them say YES! I do not believe I've met a single kid who does not want to know learn more about Jesus Christ. This reminded me of the Saviors teaching that we must become innocent like a little child if we want to enter into Heaven. 

Mark 10 reads

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

The Savior invites each of us to turn to him and continue to follow that Light of Christ. The way we do this is by being born again. Which the savior taught is baptism. When we are baptized we enter into a covenant with God that allows us to be forgiven entirely of our sins as we turn to him each day. That is how we can be like our new friend Christopher, who was so exicted to talk about Jesus!! 

With this Christmas coming up, I invite you all to ponder upon how you can be like a little child as the Savior has commanded us. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and have a wonderful week! 

With Love,

Elder Noble

PS we are recreating photos from Step Brothers that explains the goofy poses 🤪