Hey Mom,
i felt bad the last two weeks when i forgot to say anything about the package so i will today before i forget! i just like snacks. not too much candy but i like candy too. i like to share on exchanges, its something that missionaries really appreciate, to have something shared when we dont have just a ton of stuff. especially the struggling missionaries and the new ones.
i thought that President Cook talked to you a bit more-- with the fleas: the Kreitl's (where we live temporarily) have 3 cats that were locked up in the garage while they were on vacation to germany. they got fleas that spread through the whole house and we couldnt do anything until bro kreitl came back. it was really annoying at the time but there was nothing to do about it really except wait through it. Pres and Sis Cook found out about it through other missionaries that found out about it. not a huge deal really.
the Cook's took pictures with us when they toured the mission and did interviews. we have pics with.
thats awesome that your friend went to the temple for the first time! steve marsh (not Elder Marsh anymore) and i really want to be there when the duke's and gray's go through. you are invited as well so long as that is okay with them. they are solid as can be. we retaught the plan of salvation last night to the gray's and we asked them how they have experienced the atonement in thier lives and bro gray shared with us how he really appreciated coming to know that the Savior walks beside him every step of the way and knowing that He understands what we go through perfectly. bro gray doesnt open up with things like that too often so it was really cool to hear that. they are still having us over 3+ times a week.
i was on exchanges during our last lesson with the duke's but E Manzanera shared with me that sis Duke has noticed the gift of the Holy Ghost has helped her understand the scriptures when before it was "encrypted."
so far as anything else goes. the Kahumoku's are doing okay. they want to continue to meet with us but they really need to just take the last steps and be baptized. we will work on increasing thier faith and desire tonight. we are doing lots of tracting, lots of working with members, lots of finding. it can be a pain sometimes to look at a day of tracting for 9 hours but im sure we will find more people to teach. we have found a few but nobody had been super exciting.
sorry to break from the usual two paragraph format. have a good week!
grandma:
happy birthday! i think our mission averages something like 15-20 per month. its not something we talk about alot so that is just a guess. glad the kids are doing good. love you!
grandpa:
i feel the same way that you do. the future of these people is so bright! i see 3+ missions coming from thier families and future generations raised in the faith. i think the experience in carthage jail has helped me out personally. that experience isnt something i share often with others because even among missionaries and members lots of people dont know who truman madsen is but it has helped me to understand a few things. i understand that the Lord wants everyone to have special experiences. i understand that the Lord sends His servants to bless individuals as well as nations. it helps me to understand that even when certain experiences for me dont stand out, sometimes they might be important to others. and it shows that even the "big shots" in the Church are people like we are. that experience has helped me personally and im sure with the help it has given me has helped others. the Lord uses life as a time that is magically uniquely placed for each person even though there are so many people and so many factors involved. i cant comprehend it all but i do trust that our Heavenly Father does and moves things to give us all those special moments.
whitney:
thanks for writing me a note! i have heard that you are doing really well in school so congrats to you too. i dont think i ever did anything to deserve to teach and baptize those people but i am very greatful that i was able to take a part. if there is one thing i have learned on my mission it is that all struggles are worth it to do what is right. then you have peace and the Lord will always bless you in His time. good luck at school!
Love Elder Barron
2 comments:
Elder B.,
I appreciate you're taking the time to share your thoughts and insights about the experiences we had in Carthage. It meant a lot to me too. Not only did I enjoy meeting and spending that time with Truman Madsen, but also with Elder Bob Gay and brother Les Moore. And I know that most of the people and missionaries you are working with would not know who they are, but it was a unique experience to have the three of them there together with us at the jail and to share that amount of time with them and to share stories and our testimonies with theirs was something I'll long remember too. But the most important thing was that you, Emily, and your Mom were there with us and we got to do that together. It's a special memory.
And the Spirit was strong.
I trust the Lord will continue to bless you as you move forward now looking for the next "blood of Israel" to teach and baptise. Surely there must be more there. The question is are they ready to hear the Lord's voice and respond to His Spirit. If they are there and if they are ready I know the Lord will lead you to them. You are on His errand. You are His servant. He will guide you. That's His promise. And you know He always keeps His promise.
We will do our little part and keep praying that the Lord will prepare people for you to teach then lead you to them.
Onward and Upward. We love you.
Grandpa, Ron
Hey Sweetie Elder, Glad to hear that you got rid of the fleas! When I was a child living in southern California, we had a dog who always had fleas. Fleas were always in the grass too and Bobbie and I always had flea bites! So glad we don't hav them here.
We are all doing well. School is starting this week in two days. Whitney is getting ready to move over to the BYU dorms. Change is in the air. The kids are all excited. Our family is really growing up. Time passes quickly.
Looking forward to hearing about your week. I think it's good that you are still spending time with your new members. I know they need it. I was grateful for the Elders who took the time to help me learn everything I needed to know to get started.
Well, take care and have another good week! Love you, Grandma Sue
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