February 18, 2010

Last Sunday was Stake Conference in Port Arthur (South of Jasper). They had an investigator/recent convert meeting an hour before the conference. Because our branch is so small and some extenuating circumstances we could not get a ride from a member in our branch who was going to that early meeting. Instead we had to drive down to Buna (on the way...sort of) to tag along with the missionaries there.

After conference our ride asked us if we needed a ride back. At first we told him no, we could get a ride with a member. But it worked out that we went back to Buna with the same ride that we went down with. We had lunch there and then found out that someone we had talked with at conference about visiting on our way back had been called in to work. so we decided to visit another member's house on the way back. They were having their cousins from the branch over for dinner and invited us to stay and eat, so we did. It turns out one of the cousins brought her nonmember friend who's brother is in the branch presidency. We found out that she has felt something different about the church and wanted to join for some time but has been to scared to ask her parents about it because they are strong Baptists and did not support her older brother when he joined the church.

She was a nonmember when she came to dinner and a dry-Mormon when she left. If things had not played out exactly as they did we would not have been at that house at that time when she would be there. If we had caught a ride with a member from our own branch to the conference we would have gone right by the house, if we had not had lunch in Buna we would have arrived at the house too early. and the family who's house we ate at has been praying that they would be able to have the missionary lessons in their home.

"The lord works in mysterious ways.....and in many instances the simple doth confound the wise."

I miss you all. Thanks for the packages. Love you

February 10, 2010

Hi,
Last Thursday Elder Gardner and I had to be down in Beaumont for a meeting that started at 7:00 A.M., so we needed to be there about 6:45-50. Beaumont is a little over 1 hr. away, so we needed to leave @ 5:15 and get up @ 4:45 in order to have a "safety cushion" as it were. We carpooled with the missionaries form Buna in order to save miles, as we pass them on the way to Beaumont. We got there 10 minutes early and no one was at the building! We thought we were at the wrong building but everyone was "late" because of the rain. I think everyone showed up between 6:55 and 7:00, so no one was actually late.

I knocked a door this past week where (a daughter I think) made eye contact and waved through the door window- then went back into the house and the house went quiet. We knocked again and got no response. As we were leaving we saw the family driving away. I guess they couldn't think of an excuse not to talk to us so they left the house!

I made a personal amendment to the missionary handbook this week, it says: "Follow your host in the use of eating utensils" ( or lack thereof). Ribs are good!!

We currently have four baptism dates set as a companionship, and 61 dates in February as a mission. We've had 4 baptisms in Feb already. We hope to extend another baptism commitment possibly tonight, and another commitment or two in the coming days. Our investigator/convert is getting married on Sat. & getting baptized a week after that.

It is amazing how down to earth the members are down here. There is almost no beating around the bush or backbiting. There is a whole different kind of Mormon down here.

If you or dad ever see Johnathan or his mom could you please get his address so I can write him occasionally?

Please pass my congrats on to Carrissa!

I found a letter today I wrote a month ago and never mailed I will put it in the mail today or tomorrow. Thanks for everything! I look forward to your letters and everyone's packages.

February 3, 2010 - From Wes

Hi Everyone,
The church seems to have struck some sort of a deal with Google. The new email system that we're using is powered by Gmail, which is awesome! I said in my last email how the old email was pretty basic, well I don't have to use it anymore. I really am quite pleased now. I can save drafts like you suggested, and the browser auto saves drafts every couple of minutes, so no more accidentally deleting your email or running out of time! : D I think I can also send and receive more/bigger pics, too.

In one of the first pictures I sent home you can see that one of the corners of the bike box got thrashed and one of the brake pads for the front tire is missing. Could you please send me a new one/pair there is no bike shop in our whole area.

Niether I or Elder Gardner got transferred, he probably will in 6 weeks though. Elder Hoffman, who is related to the Stewart's down the street, came out one transfer before me and he is already training! He picks up his Greenie today. Right now we have 2 baptism dates for February, hopefully we will have another 2-5 for the rest of Feb.-Mar. Our goal as a mission last month was to double baptisms in January last year (14) so our goal was 28 our actual count was 36 : ) This months goal is again to double baptisms for the month (21 in to 42) The goal for the year is to double the baptism average over the last 10 or so years 267 into 534.

This week I got to drive a car for the first time in 9 weeks.

February 3, 2010

HAPPY 2 MONTHS!

This week for some reason Wesley's letter did not make it to us. The following is from his companion, Elder Gardner's mom.

Hi Laurie,
We did get an email today and our boys are still together. {It was transfers this past Monday} I'm sorry your email got lost. That has happened to us before and it is hard to wait a week for more info. I will forward you the photo Nate sent. Maybe it was the same one. They are doing well. They taught A----- again...(the lady that they tracted out last week whose mother is in the hospital on life support). She loved the Plan of Salvation and they felt that she was truly interested and that her heart was open. Her husband is planning to listen on their next visit so they are hopeful that will be a good thing. L---- will be married this week and then baptized next week. She is very excited and Nate thinks very converted. They did set a baptismal date with K---- for February 20th. They continue to pray for and work with her. They feel like they made some good contacts this week and are hopeful that the people will let them teach them. All in all it sounds like there is progress in Jasper. They have the trust and support of the members and that is good. Isn't this your sons 2 month mark this week? Time kinda flies (kinda!).