Week 75

Do I have a funny for you

Nov 25 at 10:08 AM

Alright, y'all, my new companion and I made up a funny.

What do you call an ocean of prophet-killing noodles???

I'll tell you later :)

Anyways, wow, how is it another Monday, I feel like I was just telling you who my new companion was yesterday.  Weird stuff.  Anyways, my new companion's name is Elder Benson Bagley.  He is from Rexburg, ID.  He has been out 1 transfer less than me.  He's a really good missionary, but alas, I am destined to never be with those older-than-me missionaries that I always look up too.  For some reason, I thought that if I ever became a Zone Leader, I would be able to be with missionaries that we were older than me and thus would teach me tons and tons of yummy stuff, but turns out, I was only with a Zone Leader that was older than me for 1 transfer, and he was only 6 weeks older.  Hence, alas.  But things are still going well.  I know I am where the Lord needs me to be, and I am with whom the Lord needs me to be.  A lot of really good things are going on. 

I received a letter from Grandma this past week.  

What else?  We are teaching this fantastic family, the Penn family, and it is so exciting!!!  Really, I'm not kidding.  This family is definition of member missionary work.  A member in our ward had been talking to her about the church and stuff and then extended the invitation to meet with us and hear the message of the Restoration.  They delightfully accepted, and last week, we taught one of the most spiritually powerful Restoration lessons.  The spirit was so strong, and when the mom prayed at the end, she mentioned, I think it was gratitude or something, for the spirit that she felt.  When Elder Bagley shared with them the account of Joseph Smith's experience in the woods, she shivered a little bit.  It was amazing.  They all, the two parents and their 2 kids, came to church yesterday and enjoyed it.  It's great.  This is what missionary work is all about, and amazing, we don't have to try and create and forge friendships among ward members since they already has a really solid friend in the church who is there to answer their questions when we aren't around, who is there to read the scriptures with them, who is there to support and strengthen them, and address concerns that they aren't comfortable bringing up with us.  Simply stated, they have a lifeline to the church.  That is so important.  That's something that I think most people don't understand.  When President Hinckley discussed the 3 things converts (and prospective converts) need, he highlighted the need for a friend.  Sadly, I don't think most people take these 3 things seriously enough.  For example, I have seen new converts receive a calling and then it feels like the ward almost checks that box on the 3 things list, forgetting the fact that they need constant check-up, training, help, encouragement, love, support, and stepping stones.  Sometimes, they just assign them a job.  Now, for the friend, a friend is more than someone that, when he/she sees the investigator on Sunday they say hi.  A friend is more than someone that comes on exchange with the missionaries only after the missionaries set everything up and request it.  A friend is involved with said individual outside of church.  A friend personally invites said individual over for FHE, dinner, a lesson etc without any provocation from the missionaries.  A friend calls when the person isn't at church.  A friend calls just to show true love for them as a brother or sister.  A friend reaches out and goes out of their way to support them along this significant, yet difficult and perilous path.  A friend doesn't wait to be asked to be like Christ.

Just one of the many things I have learned as a missionary, as a representative of Jesus Christ, my Master. 

Happy birthday Grandma!  I love you so much.  And I really do thank you for all the letters you write me.  :) 

Also, Happy 37th birthday mother! :)  on this Saturday.  You're the best mom I could have ever asked for.  I love you so much.  Don't ever forget that.  Family is the best.  That's what it's all about.

Love,

Elder patty

ps.  The answer is APOSTASY!!! hehe