From email of Oct. 20, 2008: Each week I'm surprised by more good things happening in the [Marsh Creek] branch at home! How many baptisms & weddings & such have there been since I left? Tell them all "Hi" for me & congratulations!
Thanks so much for fixing my shirts & sending out all that I've needed. I like to brag to the other missionaries that I have a personal seamstress [Mom]. I've gotten so many compliments on my clothes. Maybe I should learn how to do a bit of sewing when I get back . . . maybe :)
We had the 1st frost of the season today. These past few days have been bitterly cold, even though it's only been in the 40's. I'm not excited for the snow to come, but hopefully it won't be for a while. The leaves are falling quickly so everything is covered in the colorful crunchiness. And the cheapest gas here is about $2.89.
Thursday we had a very spiritually uplifting zone conference. Pres. Pehrson started out with a training on "Teaching By the Spirit". He said the reason we are not teaching by the spirit as well is because we are not exactly obedient to the rules. We have much improvement we can make to our lives to make us better missionaries. This really made me think about my commitment to being a missionary. I know that there were things that I was holding onto from home that took my focus off of the work, but I recommitted myself to the work. The zone leaders presented a training on reaching our highest potential as a missionary. There are things in our lives that take up room in our "circle of potential" that prevent us from being the best we can be. Again, this was kind of a kick in the behind to get rid of things that don't pertain to the work. I know that I have so much more that I can become which can only happen when I "forget myself & go to work" as Pres. Hinckley's father told him. Overall, it was such a great conference. It's funny how all of these meetings seemed to be tailored to what I needed to hear. This conference was held in Southington which is a bit further south than Bloomfield. The sad thing is that I was excited to be on a freeway! It was the first time that I was on one since I've been out here. I really felt like I was flying along at 55 mph. And Connecticut drivers are a million times worse than Utah drivers. I never thought Utards could ever be outdone. We were up to 75 mph just so we didn't get run over by all the crazy drivers.
So "King Arthur" has decided he wants to be baptized for sure, but we have not set a date yet. We teach the Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity, and obedience tonight so we'll see how that goes. He's got a big smoking & drinking problem, but I know that he will be so much happier & healthier if he follows the Word of Wisdom. It looks like all 3 companionships in our district will have baptisms in November. Yay! The Torrington elders are teaching a guy that we Canton sisters ran into while contacting in Winsted. They say that he is really soaking up the lessons & committed to be baptized when he found out the church is true. That makes me happy because he was one of the first people I talked to on my second day in the mission. I was scared to death to talk to him, but I was definitely kicked in the shins by the Spirit to say something to him.
I got a call from Sister Rail, the mission office secretary, who asked if I knew any Rossers from Las Vegas. She saw that I had gotten a letter from my MTC companion, Sister Rosser. It just so happens that Sister Rail went to school with her mom! It's a small world. And Sister Rail served her mission over here in Connecticut many years ago.
Things are great here! I'm finally getting comfortable with everything & now I can focus all of my attention to sharing the message of the Restoration with the inhabitants of Connecticut! I know that the Lord is behind this great work that I am participating in. I'm so grateful that He has found me worthy & capable of bringing souls unto him.
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