Snail Mail 2/23/2009

Hello once again! I guess the good news for this week is that we have two investigators with baptismal dates – Julia and her husband Alvero. The bad news is that we found out they aren’t married, so we need to teach them about that. Things are going well though. It was so funny – Alvero kept asking if the baptism water would be warm or cold; he seemed really concerned about it. Lol

I gave one of our RCs (recent converts) a blessing this week. E. S. did the anointing, then I did the blessing in Spanish. I was nervous, but I felt that extra power helping me through it.

On Thursday nights we usually go visit some RCs who E.S. baptized. They are an older couple, and the husband, OJ, comes to our area to bowl in a bowling league. I might have mentioned them before – they took us out to dinner once. Anyway they are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met and very firm in their new faith. They talk a lot, are so funny, and are so loving. We usually talk to Marilyn while OJ bowls. One night at the bowling alley we met this guy (a friend of OJ’s) and he was like “My wife’s Mormon” so he invited us to his small chicken fast food place and fed us a huge free lunch one day.

Yesterday was ward conference, so the choir finally sang the two songs we’ve been practicing forever. Julia (hoolia en Espanol) even came to church finally. We went to a member’s house for dinner (the one we go to every Sunday) and their friend Erasmo was there again so we taught him the second lesson on the POS (plan of salvation). It was a good lesson.

I thought it was so sweet and was touched that Reesah remembered me. Thanks for sharing that Anna.

I told the president about my sensitive eyes and that my brother got headaches on his mission, but apparently he doesn’t care. I told him I’d take off my sunglasses while talking to people, but he still doesn’t want me (or anyone else) to wear them except for in the car.

It was so funny the other day – we were tracting on the edge of the mission, and while we were driving we saw elders from the Longbeach mission drive right past us going the other way b/c the street is the divider. They looked so confused – it was hilarious. Did I already tell this story?

Anyway when we tract it seems like almost everyone already goes to a church, but it’s not just one – there are all kinds of churches all over. So E.S. always likes to ask which one they go to. One of the common ones is the huge Catholic church in our area called “Our Lady Guadalupe” because they believe the Virgin Mary appeared to someone a long time ago down in South America in a city called Guadalupe. The building has a huge painting of the virgin on the front.

I’ve seen/heard more sirens and emergency vehicles here than my whole life it seems. (Sorry if that was random – just an interesting fact.)

I’ve shown the little family picture I have to some members and gotten lots of good comments but also some funny ones. One Senora said me and Ross look identical. She thought we were twins. She said Rachelle looked older than Stormie and that Jer looks Latino. Another said Mom and Dad look way too young to be the parents. She said all the males have Asian squinty eyes, which I guess is true when we smile, ha ha.

That’s crazy about the new computer – you should have done it long before I left, lol.

Sorry I didn’t get to a computer today – I’ll repent and be sure to email next week. Guess that’s about all I have to say. Love you all so much – can’t wait to hear from you.

For Mom:
The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line; the decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.

I am finished and done with: low-loving, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need the pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I will not give up, shut up, or let up until I have paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when he shall return for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me – my banner will be clear.