See Them as They Might Become

Spiritual: This week despite some health setbacks, we were able to find two new investigators. The theme that I have seen for these new investigators is to see people not as they are, but as they may become. We got a phone call from brother Ainge (who happens to be the proud father of the well-known basketball star Danny Ainge) who told us that he had a Vietnamese family coming to his home to have lunch and that he wanted us to meet them and to start teaching them. We were thrilled. We went over with some Vietnamese missionaries just in case they didn't speak English, but we were so surprised when they spoke beautiful English. The thing that amazed us the most was the fact that they were so involved already in learning about the gospel. They had an employee in their company who had met them and started to introduce the gospel to them and they had met several other members who had shared the gospel with them. They were already so well loved and welcomed in. We went over and taught them the plan of salvation. We have taught several folks without a Christian background over the course of the mission but this was an interesting experience because they were actually willing to learn and grow. The spirit was so strong as we taught them why there were so many different ideas and concepts about deity. When we bore testimony the spirit filled the room. They were touched at what we said and I would bet that they didn't understand very much of what we said. They would later that day go over and have dinner with the bishop of another ward who would talk even more about it to them. They came to church on Sunday and are progressing very well now. It was so cool! We asked the employee what made him share the gospel with this couple and he said that when he first looked at them he saw a former mission president in him. What an example to follow. If we could all see our bosses as former mission presidents or as even just children of God, think about the impact that would have on our daily interactions. Our moments of opportunity would become precious and we would treat them as beings with divine potential. Our world would be a better place.

Funny: Today in District meeting we had a

Toast (We don’t know why the T was in there)

Thrive

On

Awkward

Situations

Turtles

Moments. Where we would reenact scenes from awkward times on missions. There were car scratches, attacking drunk ladies, drug dealings, breast feedings and so many more awkward things. Oh I love missions.

Where I am at: All of the investigators that we are working with seem to have one major problem. They all are very busy people and do not have a ton of time to meet with us. This also happens to be the biggest concern that they have about joining the church. They are concerned about the balance of time between the family and the church that they might have to give as well as the things that they would be asked to do. So... This week I am putting out a special Challenge to all who would like to participate. Please email the answer to this concern to me and I will pass along all of the responses to our investigators. Other than that, I am doing great. I love love love Elder Matthias, and we work really well together.

CHALLENGE QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How do I prioritize my church life vs. my family life?

I love you all so much. Things are great here in Almaden and I can feel the spirit very strongly.