This week has been a great one. Bill is really progressing. We talked with him about the baptismal interview questions a couple of weeks ago and his biggest problem was with Joseph Smith. It's not so much that he doesn't believe it, more that he wasn't REMEMBERING it... bless his heart, he's in his 80s, and sometimes it takes things a little while to stick. For some reason, the restoration story just took a few more times than most things. We slowed it down and read the first 26 verses of Joseph Smith - History with him early last week, and you could almost see the light bulb above his head flicker on. It was pretty cool to watch him realize what it means that Jesus Christ's church is actually back on the earth today. We had him over to a member's house on Saturday and watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration with him, and his testimony is really strengthening as he consistently reads the Book of Mormon and prays. We were REALLY excited when he came to church again this week and had a better experience than last time (he had a hard time hearing over noisy children the first time he attended our ward). But then we asked him what he was going do to after church... and with a very straight face, he said he was going to McDonalds to get a cheeseburger and a coffee. Haha, time to reteach a couple of lessons :) But he really is progressing, and we think he's on track to be baptized at the end of the month as planned.
Another cool experience this week: we got out of our weekly service at the nursing home a little earlier than normal, and made the conscious decision to keep our lunch to an hour like we should rather than take a little nap (missionaries are ALWAYS tired) and leave the apartment at our usual time. The plan was to contact a couple of potential investigators from our area book before a teaching appointment. We got to Paul's house at just the right time. He is really hard to catch because of his work schedule, and we have had a run-in with his wife before, who is NOT interested. Not only was he home this time (and his wife wasn't), but his friend David walked up right after we got there, and they are both really interested and requested copies of the Book of Mormon. We have appointments with both of them (separately) on Wednesday this week! It's cool when you can see such direct blessings from obedience.
Quick health update: I took myself off meds for a few days early this week before starting the new prescription, and it was better with no meds at all (but still not tremendously good). We'll trial the new drug for a week and if it doesn't improve, he's sending me to a specialist. It's beginning to cool off here, and we are listening to Christmas music for a change in the car, so it's feeling like summer is ending! I need to get moving, but I love you all and I'm grateful for such a wonderful family with a focus on what matters most. Have a fabulous week! <3
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| my district at the end of last transfer |
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| In front of of one of the many painted Buffalo in the area |
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| Half-way day! |
