We had another great week, teaching another 20 lessons. On top of that Luis
Gandara is really starting to progress. He came to church again yesterday, and
we met with him three times this past week. He is reading from the Book of
Mormon, and praying daily to know if it is true. He still has a couple of big
obstacles that he has to overcome, but he seems very willing, and we are very
excited for him. Last Wednesday we also set a baptismal date with him! It was a
great lesson, and I was a little surprised that he accepted it. The last time
that we invited him to be baptized, he told us he didn't see why he needed to be
baptized again. It really just goes to show that the spirit is the teacher, not
us.
We do have an English investigator that is progressing as well. His name is
Tyler Reeves, and he is 17. The way we found him was very interesting. A few
weeks back, we got a call from one of the seminary teachers saying that they had
invited someone to come to Seminary and Young Mens. So, we went over that night,
and taught him the first lesson. We found out that he had found a Book of Mormon
as a small kid at a hotel (I am guessing it was probably a Marriott.) He had
kept it for many years, and started reading it a year or so ago. He also then
started following one of the Young Women in the ward on Instagram. She began
posting stuff about the Book of Mormon, and he commented on it saying that the
Book was so true, and things like that. After this, the young woman invited him
to Seminary that Wednesday, he said he would come, and he actually did! He may
have a few obstacles to overcome, but he came to Church yesterday, and is
progressing. We will see what will happen.
For New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, we continued doing what we always
do. On New Year's Eve, we ate dinner with the Todd family, and then we spent the
rest of the night visiting some people with them. It was a great way to spend
it. We also counted down to 6:19 that day as if it was midnight. New Year's Day,
we ate dinner with a family that actually celebrates New Years Day. We ate
cabbage and black eyed peas, because it is lucky or something. That was also a
lot of fun!
I am glad that everyone enjoyed the break! The holidays have been fun for
me, but I am glad that everyone will be returning home, and won't be so busy.
Christmas was a little hard because people were going other places or busy
getting ready. It will be nice to have everyone back.
I can't believe Ryan is coming home. That was a fast two years! I feel like
I still have forever as well, but when I look back on the last six months, it
actually went by fast. So, I will keep on pushing. This transfer is going by so
fast, we only have two more weeks left. I really hope that I stay in this
area!
I love you so much!
Kyle
Hi Dad!
I am doing so good! Even better
than Christmas. The work is really picking up, and we are beginning to have the
ward help more and more. I love it! Thanks for the spiritual thought, I really
needed it. At times I forget about only serving others, and think to much of
myself, so that is one of my main goals for the new year.
Answers:
1. How is the work going now
that you have the entire ward.
The work is going great. I love
serving in Sherman, and the ward is really trying hard to help us. We are seeing
them help more and more, and it is so great to have more than 10 members.
2. How many investigators do
you have.
We have about 16 investigators.
And we are always striving to find more.
3. Are they progressing and
coming to church.
We had two investigators come
to church, and a couple more that are starting to progress a little.
4. Do you have any dates set
with any of them
We have to dates for the two
that came to Church. Luis Gandara and Tyler Reeves
5. Did you get some letters
from people back home on Christmas? (by the way you should probably write Brook
a letter, she wrote one and asks each week if you are going to write her
back)
I did receive a lot of letters
from the ward and from the family. It was great to have that support.
6. Has there been any more
storms
No, mostly sunshine and cold.
And more cold.
7. How is it different working
with Spanish vs. English.
English is going well, because
we have a lot to work with. We have a whole ward, and a lot more less
active/recent converts. The Spanish side, we have quite a few members, but
almost all of them work on Sundays and can't come to Church. We are trying hard
to keep our work even, so when we knock doors, we try to find Hispanics, and we
get most of our English work from the ward.
8. How many baptisms does the
mission average each month
I am not actually sure, so I
will get back to you on that one.
9. Are you happy
I am Sooooo Happy!!!
10. What experiences helped you
grow closer to Christ and his gospel this week.
The best experience that I had
this last week was when we were teaching Luis Gandara. We taught a good lesson,
and when we had finished, we invited him to be baptized. We had invited him to
be baptized the first time we went by, over a month ago, and he didn't
understand why he needed to be baptized again. We invited him again, and without
any real objection he said yes. It strengthened my testimony on the converting
power of the Holy Ghost. He is the teacher. I know now that the message we share
is true, and that when we have the spirit with us when we teach, our
investigators can feel it as well.
I am doing so good, and I
wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world. It is kind of weird to think
that I will be spending all of 2014 in Texas, but I know it is where I need to
be. Not only for me, but for the other people in Texas. I love this work, and it
is such a great time to be a missionary!
I love you Dad! Thank you for
your love and support. Good luck with the next couple of months, I hope you can
handle it all!
Love,
Kyle
No comments:
Post a Comment