February 11, 2013

Mom, Dad and Family

That's crazy that you just read that in your studies. I made it a goal to finish the NT before i end my mission so i have been reading it very feverishly. I read that same chapter this last week as well. Whenever i read it i always think of Spencer reciting it in a jingle. That was how he memorized it. Thank you for sending off those items i requested. I am so excited for mail.

We had zone conference this last week which is always spirit filled. I couldn't believe that it was going to be my last. I think because of where i am at in my mission, everything has become that much more important and sacred. The theme for our Zone conf. was on attitude. We have the chose to what attitude we will have out here on the mission. The work goes so much better when we have an attitude of gratitude and joy. There is no time to waste on discouragement and pity. Anna and Eric are no longer being baptized on t he 23rd. This was sad to hear, but at the same time it just means that they are not ready. Anna went to say good bye to her old pastor and to cut ties and was bombarded by her old pastors wife and 8 other members of the congregation. Now she's super confused and has gone back to her old church. She has had so many sacred experiences in her life. It was an example to me of how important it is to become rooted in the Gospel, and to remember those spiritual experiences. Satan does desire to have us; when we grow lax in our obedience and conviction to follow God we allow ourselves to become weak. I hope and pray that that her heart will softened and she can remember the spirit that she felt as she came to church and read from her scriptures.

On a happier note, we had our exchange sisters come into town after Zone confer. They stayed Tuesday night through Thursday day. At district meeting on Thursday Lynn who makes us lunch after each DM had tea party themed meal. We had little sandwiches, salad and homemade apple pie.

President Clark made a promise to us in the beginning of the mission that if we devote more attention to finding and we can be blessed in finding those two new investigators each week. And when we do that we will be blessed in getting a baptism each transfer. We've been placing more emphasis on finding this week. God really blessed us and we found three. One sister Fallentine (exchange sister) and I found together. it was the last door before we were going to meet back up and they were going to leave. I knocked and a middle aged woman answered the door. Edna Willis is a pastor for a non-denomination church in East St. Louis. We both testify of the book of Mormon and shared how the book of Mormon and bible are meant to be used together as one. I quoted the scripture in Ezekiel and the two sticks. She was very interested in reading more and said that she's always interested in learning more about God's word. We are going to go see her on the 14th. I am really excited to see her.

Saturday night we received permission to help out the O'Fallen elders teach one of their investigators. Corisa is 8yrs. old and preparing to be baptized on the 27th. She's super quiet and the elders wanted help making her feel more comfortable in the lesson. She's the cutest little thing. She hardly spoke but according to the elders that was the most she had spoken in their lessons. I loved being able to meet her and her family. Then, that night before we went home sister Kremer who was our ride swung by the church to talk to her husband. The Centerville Elders were there playing BB with a couple member boys and a ton of potential investigators. I tried to mingle with them, but mostly they were interested in the game. This was totally fine. But at the end on our way our, sister Kremer had a bucket full of dodge balls in her trunk and we started dodge ball fight in the church parking lot. It started out as sisters verse elders (6 elders) and then gradually we won some elders over to our side. Such a fun night! Missions are meant to be fun. We work hard, and then we play hard. The gospel is amazing; it is the only thing that brings true lasting happiness. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for his live and mercy to us his children.

Love sister salmon