January 21, 2013

Hey mamma, and family

This week was full of tender mercies. We had a great dinner/lesson with a LA family on Monday night. The wife who is very active called us the next day to thank us for everything and asked if we'd be inclined to come over again. Her husband had really enjoyed our company and she hopes that we might help spark him into activity. We didn't do anything amazing, we were ourselves, showed love and talked about heading the counsel of our leaders. I was flattered by her phone call but understand that Lord was definitely present at the house. The Lord is the leader and all my companion and i can do is hope and pray we're following his counsel.

Monday night the exchange sisters came and help us out in our area. This was new for me, most of mission i served in the position and it felt weird to be on the other end. Monday i started feeling a little sick but pushed on through. Wednesday came around and my stomach was determined to no longer be ignored. Sister Grover and Sister Fallentine put me on house arrest so i stayed home Wednesday as sister Grover and sister Duncan went out working. By Thursday i was feeling a bit better and was able to make it to our appointment with Alexis. I was so happy that we were able to meet. I've been really worried about her. We hadn't seen or really heard from her for the last week and a half. We went over 1 Nephi 8 about Lehi's dream. Sister Duncan drew it out as we took turns reading and discussing. We committed her to read 1 Nephi 11 and 12 and to wrote down on the picture what each thing represented. That's what we are going to be doing with her today. The spirit was there and it went better than i could imagine. At the close Alexis stood up brought us into a big group hug and call us "her Missionaries." She is such a darling young women, and i can't wait to see her later today. Friday night we had a lesson with Violet. She's doing amazing reading you book of Mormon. We've continued to read with her. She seems to get so much more out our lessons that way. At the beginning of this lesson i felt the need to ask her if about how she was feeling. Particularly about if she was harboring feelings of regret and guilt. She opened up to us about how she was holding onto feelings about her son. Her son had passed away in the last year from a heart attack and she felt guilty that she didn't go see him before he passed. It was sudden with out warning, but she still feels guilty. She had questions about what happens after we die and we were able to turn to Alma 40 and 41. This calmed her down and i hope brought some peace to her soul. She doesn't want to set a baptismal date, but i have seen how her being in the scriptures and coming to church has started softening her heart. Sister Duncan became sick Saturday. She was feeling it slightly in the morning but still wanted to go out. Hoping i think that it would go away. We went up to Highland which is the farthest corner in our area about a 30 minute drive. We met up with our R.S president and did some stop bys with her which went really well. We were 3 for 3. But by this time sister Duncan was really not feeling well. We had a member give her a blessing and then we brought her home and put her to bed.

Sunday at church Anna our most progressing investigator in passing announced during R.S that she is getting baptized. She's not getting baptized until the 23rd of February but is really excited. Her son Eric is turning 8 on that date and although we just picked him up as a new investigator he wants to be baptized on that date as well. Yesterday was MLK day and of course the Library was closed. Transfer calls were Saturday night and there are a few changes so yesterday we got together as a district and played basketball and Volleyball. Sister Duncan and an Elder sat out. We played 3 on 3 half court BB, it was so much fun! Don't worry dad, i held my own on the court. :)

This morning we were pleasantly surprised to find snow falling and a collection already started on the ground and on our cars. When we went out this morning to exercise there was the signs of snow, just biting cold. It seems to have stopped for the moment.

I hope this letter finds you all well.

LOVE

sister salmon

P.S mom did you receive my itinerary? I did. crazy!