2-22

Hello Family & Friends!

Hope that all is good wherever you are! Valentines was good & I got my package with the goodies yum yum! So this last week has gone good and fast. Saturday morning I got a call from President Reeves and he called me to go be a district leader out in Palm Dessert [One of the hottest places in the mission.] Of course I excepted. Wow, I haven't been in Riverside for all that long - only 3 months, but I saw it coming. The whole mission got jumbled up just like I thought it would; but it's for the best.
It was hard to say goodbye to just a couple of people, namely Brenda Franklin & Brother John Rodriguez. It's crazy the impact you can have on people and the impaction that you get from others. Brenda is one of thee most elect people I have ever seen & taught. She wants to just do her best and knows that she will reach the things that she wants in life. I was just reading the "Raise the Bar" talk that Elder L. Tom Perry gave in 2007 referring to the original one that President Hinkley gave about missionaries hiring their potential. He talked of one time when his (Perry) son was practising for high jumping over a beam and his son was really good at jumping like 5' 6'' and Elder Perry walked out and told him to higher it. He then gave his son a great talk about how we should always raise our potential and "raise the bar"! I think as I have come to know Brenda she is a prime example of raising the bar and always wanting to be better. {I can't wait for our reunion i
Brother Rodriguez taught me how important it is to listen to the spirit. When I first got here our lessons with him weren't that effective - but when we actually prayed about what to teach him to help him out it worked! He is such a great guy!
Oh so I don't think I told you about this way cool experience I had with a blessing that I was called to give. This family wanted a blessing for there 27 year old son - and we were called to go give him a blessing over to Moreno Valley. So me and Elder Blackett went over and gave him one of healing and his mom and comforting one. Before the blessing I felt prompted to say an opening prayer before we gave the blessings (which I usually don't do - but of course follow the spirit right!!) Right after I closed the blessing for him I opened up my eyes and everyone was in tears! it was crazy how strong the spirit was there! So we gave some hugs and said our goodbyes and they thanked us very much.... and the story goes on ... so ... to be continued next week. (it gets really good...anticipation)
Well as for my new address it's: 81875 Ave. 48 Indio California #24. I am going to be companions with Elder Palmer who I have heard is a kick butt missionary! (really good one) haha, I hear there is a lot of work going on over there too - so that will be really really great! Oh, mom - I lived in the same appartment as Elder Fairbanks here in Riverside and I am going to be in his zone in Palm dessert - so you can tell his mom I know him and love him to death!!!
I love you all so so much! Stay close to the spirit! Raise the bar in your lives and always look for your full potential! Be safe, loves:LOVE,
ELDER PATRICK McBRIDE