September 8, 2009

Hey yall!So I've decided to try something different this week. Instead of trying to email everyone while I'm here in the Family History Center, I'm going to write one mass email for everyone. I'll print out everyone's emails and then write hand written letters back to everyone's individual emails they send me. So a lot has happened since I last emailed. Last Wednesday we took one of our investigators, Carlis, to a baptism so that she could see what it is going to be like for her. After the baptism we took her to a members home and watched Finding Faith in Christ. She really enjoyed the evening and could feel the Spirit. She is excited for her baptismal date on Sept. 19th. She might have be baptize her too! :) On Thursday I went on exchanges with Elder Greep from the Stake next door to us. He came to our area while my companion went in their area. It was fun and we had a good time. Elder Greep waves to everyone though lol....like every single person that drives by, even if they don't wave first. It seemed like he was always waving. It was funny. I wouldn't ever do it though haha. We didn't have a dinner appointment that night so Brother Killpack brought us Olive Garden at our apartment for dinner. It was soooo good. I haven't had Olive Garden since the day I went into the MTC. We picked up a new investigator this week too. His name is Evan Jones and is about 9 or 10 years old. He has a date for later this month, can't remember exactly though. On Friday our zone had interviews with President Olson. My interview went really well and we had a nice visit for about 20 minutes. This last Saturday was sooo long. It was the holiday weekend so we weren't able to set up any appointments for the day. We ended up going to auxilaries homes and visiting the youth to try and find more people to teach. It was a long day but I think we used our time effectively. On Sunday we taught the young men in the Oak Hills ward. We of course talked about missionary work and taught them how to invite their friends to meet with us. Carlis was at church as always, and loved fast & testimony meeting. I was going to bear my testimony but one of the counselors of the bishop gave a short talk on what a testimony really is, and then they has selected people to bear their testimonies...I think to set an example for all of the members. On Labor day (yesterday), we had to push a baptism for one of our 9 year old investigators back 1 month. Kyana's baptism was supposed to be this Saturday, but there is a bunch of family problems going on so it's not going to happen until October. It sucks cause Kyana is ready but there isn't anything we can do about it. We set up another appointment to start teaching another little 9 or 10 year old. It seems like a lot of our work is with kids and part members families. Haha k so me and Elder Williams were walking down the street yesterday and this guy on a bike rode up to this house and got off the bike across the street and when he was looking our way Elder Williams waved at him and the guy shook his head at us and then went inside. It was funny lol. We've been teaching this guy named Brunell Marshall, and his wife has been baptised, but he hasn't. He's been taught everything but needs to quit smoking. We have a Stop Smoking Workshop that we are going to start with him this Saturday that I hope will work. I've noticed that in this area, we teach a lot of African Americans and a lot of little kids. I forgot to tell you when I was writing about Carlis, but she calls me Crazy Elda Watts hahaha. Idk why exactly but it's funny and I love it. She's been my favorite investigator so far. We went to the Bountiful Temple this morning. I love going to the Temple every week. I want to keep going each week after my mission too if I can pull it off. I actually wouldn't mind working/volunteering in the Temple. I think it would be great. Doesn't Aaron Watts do that? Anyway, Stake conference is coming up on the 19th & 20th. The Stake Presidency might have us talk for a few minutes or share our testimony so we'll see what happens. I think it'd be cool. I guess the theme is going to concentrate a lot on missionary work. My companion and I are giving a talk in the Oak Hills ward this sunday. I enjoy speaking in Sacrament Meetings. We do have one baptism scheduled for this Saturday for Katlyn Hamblin. She is 9 years old and her mom Natalie is already a member. They are really hard to get a hold of but we finally set it all up so I'm excited. Missionaries before us did a lot of the teaching but it will still be cool to be a part of it. I haven't gotten the package you sent yet. Hopefully it will come later today. I got Amy Johnson's thank you note. I sent her a letter back. Hey it's so weird cause we are trying to teach this 13 year old kid named Alex Johnson. We've set up a few appointments with him and it's been so weird to see that name in my planner because it makes me think of Alex everytime I see it lol. Is Jenni and Alicia keeping my Facebook and Blog updated? Yall should post these letters on there. I still need Heidi Aponte's address. Can Jenni get that for me? She sent me a letter but I need an address to send back to. I hope everyone is doing well. I put everyone's names in the Temple this morning. :) Things are going well here. I am having a fun time with my companion and am enjoying the work. We have been focusing on member involvement in missionary work and it is starting to pay off. I love you guys and miss you so much. I keep you in my prayers daily. The church is true!!! I can't wait to hear from you guys. Let me know what you think about this whole mass email thing. I'll still write letters home to everyone's emails but I thought that maybe one big letter would be better. Ler me know what you think. Oh and I'm still trying to find someone that can make cd's of all my pics and videos so I can send them to you. Love ya! -Elder Watts