Samuel John Arkoudas, Illinois,Chicago Spanish speaking Mission: Aurora SP NW Chicago West Mission

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm sorry I didn't get the opportunity to write a weekly email last week--but I'm actually suprised that I made it this long without missing a week;)

If you could all keep the Pagan family in your prayers: I don't know if you remember Eddie Pagan from Rockford--he got baptized about 3 months ago--and he passed away last week from a heart attack. He was a super good friend and I loved that whole family so much but my testimony of the Plan of Salvation has been greatly strengthened from this. Thank you so much for all of your support.

Two weeks ago we got so bogged down with meetings and exchanges and a whole ton of other stuff that this week, Elder Buttars and I said that we had had enough and we decided that we were going to make this last week of the transfer the best week in the mission. We set some goals of how many people we wanted to talk to everyday, how many new investigators we wanted and so on, and then we challenged our whole Zone to do the same. It was so much fun! Everytime someone completed one of their goals, they would text us and we would send a text out to everyone else. Even though it got pretty cold and rained for a few days straight, it got everyone super excited and it was so much fun! Below I've included some of the best hashtags used this last week.

#faithweek

#sweaterweather

#fillthefontwithrain

#westwarriors

#twowomanarmy

#weranoutofhashtags

#toomuchfaith

Etc...

Last night was a super great night! We went to West Chicago to go finding and we got stuck behind this train. So we waited and waited and finally I just got sick of waiting and went and talked to the lady waiting in front of us. Yea...she thought I was super weird and wasn't interested at all, but the rest of the night was great. We parked at this apartment complex with the intent of stopping by this guy, but we just didn't feel good about parking there, so we drove about a 1/2 mile down the road and parked and totally found this guy Carlos who's super interested as we were driving there.

We then found this other girl who was just sitting in her car and when we asked if she wanted to hear an important message about Jesus Christ, she just said "Sure, come back on Tuesday." The Lord is too good to us.

This is where we get to the sad part of the email. Elder Buttars is leaving for Bloomingdale and I'm getting a new companion tomorrow. It's been super fun and I love Elder Buttars to death. It's been a great transfer and I'm super excited for this next one.

I know that this church is true. I have learned so much about patience these last few weeks--when we ask for something from the Lord and work for it--even if it takes a year to get it, it comes. I testify that that is true.

I love you all and I'm so greatful for your continued support!

Elder Arkoudas