October 12, 2015

So ya this week had its ups and downs, I am going to go with the downs first then we can jump back to the ups.

Ok so first down. So we have a investigator named Tony who has been struggling with keeping commitments and such. We rechallenged him to baptism date and that went great you can tell he wants it but then he didn't show up to church this Sunday which was due to a sick kid so its excusable but this is the 3rd or 4th time that this has happened. We are starting to worry that he is slipping.

Ok so second down. One of the Spanish people we met who wanted us to come back to teach the family turns out doesn't even live there in the house, and the people who lived there were incredibly nice but explained that she was only watching the house and lived out of state contrary to what she said. Gahhhh

Ok so third and final down. I had to give a talk this week. Yep I had to give one and afterward was followed by the Stake President yikes. But it was good the talk was about conference and so I focused on President Monson's talk concerning being a light and example for the world. I had the impression to share a few of Grandpa Olsen stories about serving in the Philippians (Japanese POW story), and Korea (giving up his bed to lady and son). I then related that while we do not live in a war in the traditional sense we do live in a war of sin and decreasing morality but that we can always show forth Christ like attributes and in so doing do as the Prophet has emphasized "A light unto a world, that men may see your good works and glorify your father which art in heaven."

So now for some good stuff. There are still some delays with the plans to have a English class and that is still underway but it is progressing.

I had the pleasure of meeting one of the Spanish members who speaks perfect Spanish but her mother does not, and she is not a member. I decided to talk with her and get to know her and we had a blast. She asked some questions about the Church specifically the services which led into a perfect discussion of the Book of Mormon or Libro de Mormon. I gave her the run down of the story and she wanted to get a copy to read. To her surprise I gave her mine (not mine personally but the ones we give out to people, I always keep a few in my bag in English and Spanish just in case) she truly was flattered and excited. When we left she was flipping through the pages and examining it. Awesome.

The other cool thing is that we got to meet one of the other members of the branch that can speak in English but prefers Spanish. We now have steady appointments set up with him and his family who are not members. This week has truly been fantastic for the work in Spanish and I am both nervous but also super excited.

I forgot to mention I think, my mtc companion/Oregon brother/best friend in the mission is in Lafayette. So for the last several P-days we have been hanging out and partying, its awesome. If you remember from my earlier letters Elder Ryan is from Brookings and he truly is a bro. Our dream is to serve together one day. Oh and he is serving with another bro of mine in the mission his name is Elder Baird. And truly if a miracle could be performed it would be us three being put in a trio together. That is a missionary dream. Probably and most assuredly wont happen but who knows.

Well as always I love and miss you guys. Take care and keep partying on.