Nativities, coastal driving....and meeting an APOSTLE OF THE LORD!!!

Life here was crazy this week. We had to drive up and down the coast 4 times this week (geez, that must have been tough!) for different meetings, and training and having....Elder Ballard and Elder Hallstrom...but I'll get to that in a bit. 
So...a lot of coastal pictures, it was cool. 

Nativity Event

We had a big community nativity event, hence all the nativities, it was a great week for that. (Answering some of my questions), Elder Mitra tells me about India every week and it sounds crazy haha. Jeanne was a girl I knew when I was here the first time around, I built a tree blind for her in January. Anthony does run the golf course and he is great. He and his family want to take me to Disneyland..haha..and he got me a Star Wars shirt for Christmas haha, I love them.
Man, I can just feel in your emails, you screaming, "5 weeks!" and everyone I talk to always say, "We know your mom, you know she can't wait to see you" haha. It's kind of funny, people I don't even know, know you. 5 weeks mom, that is all, hang in there for a bit. (Hmm....think I'm maybe a little too excited...haha). 

Beautiful California

Elder Ballard was life changing. When he first walked in, we all stood in such reverence and as we're all quiet, he is cracking jokes and talking the whole way up to the front. All of us missionaries got to shake his hand and meet him and Elder Hallstrom said, 'hi Elder Routledge' and asked if I was okay haha. His address was insane, mom. Both Elders talks were, but his literally made me cry the entire hour he spoke to us. He talked about so much stuff, missions and life and talking to everyone and being fearless and about how important it is to go home and not become worldly. 
I had plans to shave my head on the sides and grow a beard and all these things and I just don't have a desire to do any of it anymore. (Thank you, Elder Ballard!). I will say I am nervous because my back is not getting better and coming home limping off the plane is nervous to me. I am a bit nervous I might fall back into old habits, a few petty things, but he really helped me feel good and the Spirit that was there was like nothing I have ever felt. It was like Jesus was flicking me in the head saying, "Now do you believe it's true? Right there, look at that man, he represents me, as do you. Listen to him". It was crazy. He talked about how we are the same as them (Apostles), we just cover California and they cover the entire world. He told stories that made me weep. This email is not even coming close to describe the Joy and the Power of Elder Ballard. 
He is one of the less talked about Apostles but he, by far, is my favourite. He looked at us with the eyes of our Saviour and it was almost like he saw what we were going to be, like he saw what we were going to do and he smiled at us and bore testimony and he just made me believe so strongly that this is true and the only way. When I....when I see you, I'll tell you these stories, because email won't capture the fire he said them with. Have you ever felt so happy that literally all worries are gone? Well, when he was speaking I had not a single worry about anything, I had no fear, no regret and no sadness. It was, by far, one of the most amazing things I have and will ever experience in my life. 

That was my week. Lots of driving, service at Jeanne's, back pains and all the joy that could be felt as I shook the hand of an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
I love you all, I hope you have a great week and know that I know that this is the true church and baptisms is the only way we can live with our Father in heaven again. By righteous living and keeping the commandments we can receive so many blessings that would never come otherwise. 

This week I read about Zeezrom in the Book of Mormon. He was a wicked lawyer and very cunning man. He questioned Alma and Amulek to snare them, BUT after witnesses of Christ bore testimony he could not deny, and he started asking diligently to know and in turn, had a change of heart and was baptized. You just have to diligently seek and ask and you will find. That is the Lord's grand promise to us.

I bear testimony that this is the ONLY true and living church on the face of the earth today. I know it. I promise you it is, please just ask. 
I love you all so much. Have a great week and I'll talk to you all soon. 

Love Elder Routledge