Weekly Letter #11. July 16th, 2012

Hello Hello! Wow, what a...well, BETTER, week haha. Taught a lot more lessons than the previous week but ran into a few snags in Baptisms and almost dropped my companion. Hahaha Well, like the subject says, tomorrow, the 17th, will be my 2 month mark in Aurora ! It may not seem like a very long time to you...but man it already feels like 2 years haha. Anyways, heres my past week: Tuesday July 10th- We taught Isabella today. We had August 4th scheduled for her baptism but today her today asked to reschedule it to September 1st so her Mom and Grandma could come. I think another reason is because her dad wants some time to get ready to baptize her. Keep him in your prayers, hes a really good dude. That was about all we really did today. Isabella, her brother, and her dad came over that night to The Alms place for dinner. It was a good time. Wednesday July 11th- Had a District meeting with some other District today because we dont have a District to meet with. One of the Elders in that District is from Payson and he knows a lot of people i knew but hes what we call an "Apostate" missionary haha He goes home at the end of this transfer on the 10th of August. We also picked up our beds! Oh my goodness...We have the greatest beds in the mission! I've never slept so good before in my life!!! Haha We taught Caleb that night and found out he and his aunt and uncle felt that he wasnt ready for baptism. So we decided to start all the lessons over again and decide a new date later. Thursday July 12th- Today was a very, very, very, slow day haha We only met with one of our investigators, Cynthia and she told us that she has quit drinking! Which was awesome! Shes found strength from Praying. We told her that if she reads her scriptures, it only helps as well as church so we invited her to do those things and she said she will try. She didnt show up at church so, hopefully shes reading. We spent the rest of the day reading scriptures, taking naps and visiting members. Just so you know, Tracting is NOT effective in our area. Friday July 13th- Helped Matt up at his place for the first part of the day. Then headed to the Harringtons and taught with them. It turned into a visit and Sister Harrington bore her testimony of how Missionaries saved her marriage. It was such an incredible moment. When i told her to recognize that she now has that testimony of Missionaires she was kinda taken aback haha Such a spiritual experience. After that we headed to our Zone Leaders area so Decker could interview one of their investigators for baptism. Sounds like a wonderful Friday the 13th, I Know :) haha Saturday July 14th- Well...Today was the day where me and my comp got in a little....tiff...so to speak. People really get brave on their missions haha But You dont have to worry, cause i wont touch him, Not worth it. Haha after that we went to a ward pioneer party for breakfast. It was a good time. After, we taught Paul and Beth and Beth committed to baptism but she wont get baptized without her husband and him without her. They also asked if I would be the one to baptize them :) Whaaaaa???? Haha You Know!!! Taught another lesson that night to our investigator Rocky, who we found out, doesnt believe in god ha. We just had the member family that we were doing the lesson at bare their testimony of the Holy Ghost cause thats what Rocky had a lot of questions about. He thinks its just common sense ha WRONG haha It went very well though. And he said hes going to start takin things more seriously. Sunday July 15th- A great sabbath day. We broke our areas record for investigators present at sacrament, 8. Haha Doesnt sound like a lot but its pretty hard to get people to commit to that so i was happy :) Met with Sam Maples after and finished up all the lessons so now he just has to be interviewed and will be baptized 3 weeks from saturday on August 4th. Finished the day off with the beautiful Mayne family :) Love them That was my week. Sounds lame but hey, I love what im doing :) Today we've been workin at the farm at Matts. Bailing Hay for a good 3 hours straight...Yuppp, that was a work out. Now we're just hanging out. Something I heard from my mission President that really struck me was when he said "The Topic that you talked about at your farewell is the main reason you were able to come out here. At one point in your life, whatever it was that you spoke on, influenced you to the point of wanting to serve the lord." -President Shumway. What I talked on, if you can remember was "Friends & Family." And thats why it struck me so hard. Every person that has ever came close to me, family and friends, were such a support in getting me out here. I thank all of you and love you beyond words could ever imagine. The examples and influences that you have had in my life has shaped me and given me experience to better serve the lord and be a fine tool in his hands. Friends, both close and just people i saw every once and again Especially my Lost Boy Faithfuls who are out serving right now, thank you. Family, you mean more to me than anything in this world. I couldnt be more thankful for your sacrifice and help over so many years. The lord is aware of all the help you've given me. He will "Open up the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings so big that you will not have room enough to receive it" I Love You All and Thank You So Much For Everything. Elder Isaac Asiata