Wednesday, December 5, 2012

December 4, 2012

Well it's been an interesting week to say the least. First off, I can't believe it's already December. Christmas is fast approaching. We already set up some sweet stuff for Christmas eve and Christmas. Namely we have somewhere to go and do Skype. So I'm really happy about that. We are going over to the same house where we prepared the turkey. It's a really cool family and I'm already getting nervous to talk to you all again. For the last time before I get home. 

Well the biggest thing that happened this week happened Monday morning on the way to District Meeting. My companion fell off his bike. He was coming down a hill and around a windy turn. He realized he had too much speed and tried to brake and make the snake like turn at the same time and the bike slid out from under him sending him crashing to the ground. Luckily he had on a helmet, but he received a gnarly looking gash along his left eyebrow. Really deep. I actually didn't see the accident because I was ahead of him. By the time I got there 2 people were already on the scene and the Ambulance already called. It really was a miracle though. Less then 1 minute after his crash an off duty paramedic walked by on his way to work. He knew exactly what to do and diagnosed the situation for us. He cleaned out the cut and gave him a gauze pack for his cut. The ambulance arrived and went the whole nine yards on him. Put him in a whole body brace, neck brace, locked his head onto the stretcher, wrapped this thing around his body and really just did everything. I rode in the ambulance with him to the hospital, called President and explained the situation. We got to the hospital and they kicked me out of triage pretty fast so I went to the waiting room and waited, luckily the other Elders arrived shortly after. We waited for prob 3 hours or so and he just came walking on out with 4 stitches and a big bandage over his cut. It looked like someone lifted up his eyelid and squeezed a golf ball up there as well. It's still pretty swollen today. Important thing is he's fine. He was definitely guided by God's angels. It could have been a lot worse. He actually did faint yesterday in the apartment, That was really scary. I've never seen someone faint right in front of me before. He took a nap and got up too quick afterward and just boom, on the floor. I caught his head before it hit the ground too hard. Afterward I gave him a blessing which was one of the most spirtual experiences I've had in my mission. I love Anz. Walsh. He just has a heart of gold. So yeah it's been a dramatic couple of days. 

You asked about our investigators... They are doing great. *********** stopped making progress, nothing was sticking with him. After 2 months of teaching him he still wasn't able to pray. So... Yeah. Not good. ****** is doing great. She fasted with us this week. Which was really cool. I just don't know why she can't make the next step towards baptism. She is so close! We want to talk to her next lesson about the Role of the BOM in conversion. We think maybe she isn't understanding the BOM as well as she could. I have hopes that she will be baptized before the new year and definitely before I leave. 

Our "little" peruvian family is doing AMAZING. If ever baptism was a doubt in my mind for the 15 it is not now. We had a crazy weekend with them. We were soooo close to having to move their baptism date but now we're all good. I'll explain. Thursday night we had an appointment with them, wanting to teach the WoW, and Chastity. However, we got there and lil ******* had these sores in her mouth and was crying up a storm so her mom had to take her in the other room and couldn't be at the lesson so it didn't make much sense to teach it without her there. So what we did was read from the BOM where ******* had left off. We read Nephi 3 with them. And it was an amazing lesson just what we needed to get them really focused on the BOM. So for the next lesson, Saturday night. We are on a bus headed to their house and we get a call from ******* saying that hubby and the kids were out of the house for a birthday party and wouldn't be back til late but that they would all be ready for us to come pick them up to go to Church the next morning. We were devastated because their baptism is coming up really fast and there is still so much to teach. But what could we do. So next morning we go to their house personally and pick them up. Do you think I'd just go to Church no problem and hope they'd make it there? Heck no. We weren't taken no chances. So we get them to Church, HAHA i go in to Primary with the kids because they were nervous to go in alone. And the parents went to priesthood and old lady society. Then Gospel Prinicipals starts and guess what? no teacher -- we have to teach. No one else in the class but Jour investigators. Think we taught Geneology? Nope! WoW and Chastity! We were so lucky to be able to get that lesson in otherwise them getting baptized on the 15 was not going to be possible. Next lesson; Monday. We get there and there is such a light feeling in the air. Everyone was so happy. They just loved Church. And are so excited to get baptized on the 15th. They accepted Tithing and follow a Prophet. Now we just have the practice interview and the real interview this Saturday. 

You asked about the Weather. It's been terrible. It's rained and been freezing for almost 2 weeks straight now. Makes our work really hard. 

Well I'm super jealous about the indoneasian food this weekend that you will all be eating. Can we have a late indoneasian food party when I get home within the first 2 weeks or so? I'm dying for some good food other then Italian. 

Well I love you all so much! Dang I had no idea a heating system would be that expensive! That's ridiculous. We are extremely blessed. 

So my Homecoming is the 10th? Perfect. Who will be speaking with me? Do they give RM's topics? I hope not. I was able to listen to that video you sent me. HAh Brayden... Such a goober. 

Well have a great week! Love you all and miss you tons! 

Anz. Mendel