Day 419

This week was really good. I think I told you about B and C in the last email, We've been working with them and they've recently had a little falling out with each other. I think it's hurting her views on the church. They weren't at church on Sunday, and I was sad. We were able to meet with a few people this week, a former investigator named Dee Dee, I know if she'll take the time to move forward she will find that it is the truth. I never know what to tell you people about my week, I enjoy the work that I'm doing, and I know that I'm doing what I can to help the people that I'm working with, but oftentimes there is just no progress to report. That's one challenge of this mission, It goes right along with some advice I got from Stan. He said that the secret to starting a successful business is having a perfect faith that you're business will succeed, but also knowing when to walk away. This seems like a conflict, but it's true of many things in life. One of the most challenging things about missionary work is that you're trying so hard to believe in these people and believe that they can change, but you have to know when to walk away and find other people to teach. So I apologize if you feel like you don't get to hear enough about the actual missionary work that we are doing. We are meeting with a few people that are showing promise and they are as follows:

B and C

B is Less active member, C is investigating the church. They are going through a rocky time in their relationship and are struggling with Consistency. (Don't we all?) If they could get their relationship in order, I think they would progress and C would be baptized. We're trying to help them in their relationship by helping them establish consistent prayer and reading.

Fred

Fred is a wonderful Guy and I really enjoy meeting with him, most everytime we go to his house and have a lesson, the spirit is very strong. He doesn't believe that there is a true church on the earth today, and if we try to discuss it we end up bible bashing. Sometimes I get a little forward with him when he states opinions like that and say "That's the thing about doctrine, we choose what we believe, but we can't choose what's true"

L and G

They were one of our top progressing investigators, they had baptismal dates and everything, They sobered up, got their kids back and moved and I haven't heard from them since.

Elder Bingham

Elder Bingham is one of our top progressing investigators, he works hard, wants to be obedient, and is very easy to get along with. I learn new things from him daily. He discusses any problems that he or we have with me, Communication is definitely one of our strong points, which is why I haven't yet had a companion that I really didn't get along with.

Elder Peterson

That's the question I ask myself a lot: "am I a progressing investigator?"

That's about it for the missionary work here in Brandon, we are moving forward, the area is developing more, I'm growing still, and I had a really good birthday. I got the package and letters that were sent, they were very heart warming. I felt like a million dollars on my birthday. And I feel like a million dollars today wearing my new socks!

Did you get a cake?  How many?

I think I ended up with four cakes and a pan of Brownies. People were very nice. :)

Is your greenie the oldest in his family? Have there been other missionaries?

Elder Bingham is the Oldest in his family. 

Are all the other trainers doing well?  Do you all commiserate with each other when you get together, telling greenie stories?

All the other trainers in our district are doing well, I don't really know much about the other Trainers in the mission, we kind of live in a bubble of our Zone because we are so spread out. 

Did you get sung to?

A lot of people sung to me, It was really nice, it made me feel very loved.

Have you been able to meet with your president yet? 

Yes I did, It was a really neat story because on friday all the missionaries from the surrounding areas came here for specialized training, so all the missionaries were here for my birthday. I was able to interview with the mission president, It was different than interviewing with President Thomas. President Craig really exudes a caring attitude that makes you feel warm and loved. I really felt a strong connection with him. Not that He is better than President Thomas, he is just different.

What changes has he made?

He hasn't made a ton of changes, but I've noticed a change in myself as I've seen how he views his calling and missionary work. I'm not sure what it is but I'll get back to you for sure. :)

What advice would you give Landon?  He leaves in ten days..

Luke 16:10. 

The little things really do matter, they matter a lot.

Love You!

Elder Peterson