Determined for 3

Family! :)

Investigator Report:

1) RJ: His Mom pretty much dropped us.  She cancelled again and said, "I'll let you know when we are ready to meet again."

2) DaLynn: She is skeptical about baptism.  What 9 year old is skeptical about baptism?!  Anyway, I think she is warming up to the idea.  We just need to get her at church.  We taught her the Plan of Salvation this week.

3) Cecy: She texted and dropped us this week.

4) Sherryl: She dropped us this week.

5) Armondo: We taught him twice this week.  We might drop him soon.  He keeps saying he will never have faith and counter-argues everything we say.  We are afraid of bringing any members by because he can easily put doubt into someone's head.  But, not missionaries!  We just stand firm!

6) Stephanie: Didn't get to see her this last week.  Hopefully this week we will.

7) Domanic: A 18/19 year old girl that we found while tracting.  We stopped by just to see how she was doing, and right then and there she was ready to be taught.  It was so awesome.  We had Lesson 1 with her and it went great.  Everything made sense to her and she wants to learn more.  The only problem is that she works two jobs and goes to school full time at UNLV.  Hopefully we will be able to see her soon.  Guess what!  She is studying to become a SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER!  How awesome!  Coincidence?  I think not!  I love her!

Food Report:

Monday: Cheeseburgers

Tuesday: Shredded Beef Burrito Bowl

Wednesday: Fiesta Lime Chicken

Thursday: Carne Asade Fries

Friday: Chicken Mint Curry

Saturday: Tacos

Sunday: Beef Stew

Funny Stories:

1) We went to go visit a potential investigator.  Her name is Alma.  We had been having a rough day and as we locked our bikes up outside her house, Elder P said, "And what makes you think she is even going to be home?"  I looked at her house and saw her walking around in her garage.  I pointed and said, "Uhh...The fact that she just walked into her garage."  It was so funny.

2) I just found out that Carrot Top (the comedian) lives next door to us.  And Nicholas Cage has a house right next door to the Y family in our ward.  Maybe we can teach them the discussions.

3) Mitt Romney went to the sisters in my district's ward this last week!

Weekly Summary:

Monday: P-Day!

Tuesday: District Meeting.  Since an Assistant to the President came to my meeting the week before this last week, I thought I wouldn't see leadership in my district meeting for a while.  NOPE!  The Mission President's wife, Sister Black, came to my district meeting.  She is so awesome though.  I love her so much.  It went well.  We did some coloring, so it was fun.  Then, we helped to move a family in another ward.  Taught Kamal about the Priesthood.

Wednesday: Made visits and tracted.  We were DETERMINED to get 3 lessons every day this week (we made this resolution on Wednesday).  Did we get 3?  Nope.  We got one with DaLynn.  Actually, DaLynn didn't even join us so it was just a less-active lesson with DaLynn's Mom, Jaime.

Thursday: Determined to get 3 lessons!  Did we?  Nope.  Got one with Armondo.

Friday: Determined to get 3 lessons!  Did we?  YES!!!!!!  We taught Armondo about Faith.  We taught Domanic Lesson 1.  And, I was so determined to teach another lesson that I saw some kids playing basketball, went over to them, told them to sit down, and taught them about faith and read from Alma 32.

Saturday: Helped with a move with some members in our ward.  A part-member family.  The lady is from Guandong (in China...Where we are from).  Taught DaLynn about the Plan of Salvation.

Sunday: Church was good.  Taught a less-active lesson.

...Overall lessons for the week: 8.  Hopefully this week will be better.

Small World Stories:

1) Pretty much everyone knows Grandma and Grandpa.

2) Guess who the Stake President here in Lakes Stake was before the current Stake President!  President Todd L!  He called the current bishop in the ward I am serving in, Bishop E.

Spiritual Thought:

It has been a rough couple of weeks as far as the work goes.  We have been working so hard but have not seen much success in the amount of lessons we teach, the number of new investigators, our investigators progressing, or finding anyone who is interesting in learning more.  It can be discouraging at times.  I just have to remind myself of what Marvin J. Ashton has said: "Shun discouragement.  One of Satan’s most powerful tools is discouragement.  Whisperings of “you can’t do it,” “you’re no good,” “it’s too late,” “what’s the use?” or “things are hopeless” are tools of destruction," ("While They Are Waiting," 1988).  That is one of the great things my mission has taught me.  I have really been learning how to completely rely on the Lord.  I know that if I continue to be faithful, work hard, be diligent and obedient, and be patient, I know the Lord will bless the missionary work in this area.  Joseph Smith said, "...we trust in the Lord, and leave the event with Him to govern His own wise providence," ("Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith").  So, do what you know to be right.  Do what you know to be true.  And, the Lord will take care of the rest.

Love,

Elder Sean Edwards