The libraries are closed, which is inconvenient for missionaries, but the Marshalls let us come by and use their laptops to email on. Brother Marshall just made us a mouthwatering bacon, provolone, turkey breast and tomato grilled sandwich. All of these kind favors make we want to remember to be really nice to the missionaries in my area when i'm older because the members here are really nice to us.
We're excited! James Richard came to church, Monique passed her interview and is as ready for baptism as can be. We were getting the program together, and we had to break some of the traditions of the ward. There was a few things where they thought, that's just the way it's always been done. We don't do welcome's at the end of baptismal services, it's not that scary of a change!
James Richard! He's put on his shirt and tie, and came to church. I think he had a good time, and as we were getting ready for sunday we suggested to the gospel principles teacher that she prepare her lesson around eternal marriage because we wanted to get James to involve his wife in the church He dodges every question or remark made about her. I'm in his house 3-4 times a week and i have Never seen her. Another investigator, Adolfo, and 5 of his kids came to church so I went with him to the spanish gospel essential class and didn't get to hear all of James' responses to the lesson. From what Elder Cunningham told me he had never thought in his life about Eternal Marriage. It was almost alien. He believed that you picked a mortal mate that you could endure your life with, and then in Heaven you got paired up with whoever your soul mate was. That soul mate may have lived on earth 600 years prior to yourself but you the two of your were a predetermined pair. It's an interesting idea, but I don't find much doctrine to support it. I do know however, that any two people dedicated to living the gospel and want to have an eternal marriage can grow in love for the eternities.
I went on an exchange with Elder Olsen. He's one of the 3 trainees in the district, and we had a fun exchange. He was super easy to talk to, and then all of the sudden once we met someone on the street he would just stop talking, and when the conversation would fall to him his voice would drop 3 amps and be very soft. It was hard to figure out what the issue was, being a big husky rugby player that was joking around with me I couldn't understand why he wasn't so jovial with everyone. Anyhow, we got a little deeper into it and I think he's going to grow a lot in the next few weeks.
Some hardship in the ward, Eddie Flesher, who was baptized last March had a miracle recovery after being baptized but now is seeing some traces of cancer come back. He was going to do the stop smoking program with us, but just couldn't get up the strength to do it.
Elder Cunningham got a Greeny Package! WoOh! It was classic, his mom tried to send him lots of fresh fruits because that's what he likes. Haha, but they got really moldy in the mail, except for the zucchini bread, that was delicious.
As a result of Elder C growing up in Utah and still being a little wet behind the ears, when I was printing off some baptismal invitations with brother Haight, the ward mission leader, I heard him telling Monique that she was really just a Golden Investigator. Haha, I don't think I'd heard that term before being a missionary, but I knew what an investigator was, I imagine that was a strange experience as he explained to her how golden she was. Haha, it was a little uncomfortable to listen to. We talked about it after.
As i studied on the priesthood this week the very first thing that is always explained sunk in a little deeper this time around. The priesthood is the power and authority of God given to man to do works of salvation in his name. It is not the power to do anything, it is specifically for the bringing of gods children toward salvation. Any ordinance done under its power is done with that purpose.
I love you.
Stay Salty,
Elder Tyler Meidell
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