7-21-2014

Hey sweet family and friends!

This one is going to be quick...A) Because it was a great, but not overwhelmingly eventful week, and B) ...because I am low on time, and a lot of wonderful people wrote me this week who I'd like to respond to. So, without further ado...

UPDATE:

Pretty solid week! Brittany is still clipping along nicely towards her baptism, and attended the Ward Campout this week (enjoying canoes, a ropes course, and some great testimonies). Sadly the camp out was way out of our mission (and probably not the best use of missionary time) so Sister Van Leuven and I were ward orphans for a Sunday. But it's alright. We found a nice surrogate ward to take care of us (and milk referrals from 0:) ). We also found a fabulous new investigator, detailed below!

PROFILE:

Name: Demi 

Age: 18

Accessory of choice: Thick glasses and emo tee's

How she started learning about the Gospel: Her best friend started sharing it with her in October of last year :) Annddd...she wants to be baptized in December.

Sweet experience she's ALREADY had: Reading the Book of Mormon over the phone with her friend, and crying because she knew it was true. Yeah, I never want to work with unprepared people again. :P

Why we can't call her: She's grounded from her phone! And everything else! Because she didn't graduate high school when she was supposed to! But she will...in a week. So that's good.

Only confusing part: ...see a few lines above. She wants to get baptized in December...in Utah, so her friend can be there. Do we teacher her everything and then ship her down there? I'm asking the MP, but that's the plan for now.

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

In my third trek through the Book of Mormon (in my mission that is), I have finally reached the land of Mosiah! And as I was reading Chapter 2 this morning, these verse stuck out to me.

vs 3-4) "And then also took the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses. And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king...and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men."

First reason I like this is that I love it when it talks about the Nephites keeping the Law of Moses. It's one more thing of the many things that Joseph Smith probably wouldn't have anticipated if he was writing a book of scripture for his own gain...and besides that, is evidence of a God who is very consistent throughout time to his people (even though they were in a different place, they still lived before Christ came and thus practiced the law of that time. Very cool.)

SECOND reason I like this is that last part--that they had been taught to keep the commandments of God "that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men". So cool to think that living the commandments of God can lead us to have joy in our day to day lives, and be filled with love towards God and everybody else. I know that that has been my experience, as I've increasingly humbled myself and willingly obeyed the commandments and mission rules. I feel much more at peace, and much more loving (and less inclined to anger and judgement) towards others. And if it's true for me, it can be true for you too. ;)

PICTURE:

I affectionately call this picture '3 whites and a red'. For those of you to whom I've explained the color code, you will understand. (PLUS for those of who are observant, all three of those are former (or present) companions. Sweet.)

Annnddd...that's just about it! If all goes well, I'll see Dustin get baptized this week (one of those we were teaching in my last area) and Brittany baptized the week after that. Pretty awesome miracles. :)

Love you all! XOXOXO

Sister Hale

7-14-14

Hey y'all!

Whew! Crazy good week. Funny how it's a burden to write all you sometimes because I just want to hear how you're doing...and would rather pour over your emails for the 2 hours of time that I have...but I have at least a hope that you want to hear how I'm doing also, so...I'll be selfless and let you know how I'm doin. :)

UPDATE:

These last couple weeks have been really good. WHEWWWw...let's see. Well, first exciting piece of news, we put Brittany on date this week...FOR JULY 31ST (which she will totally make as long as she make it to church the next two weeks...which she will, because she is awesome and the most prepared investigator I have seen on my mission thus far), and she's doing really well. Reading the Book of Mormon whenever she has the chance (already at 1 Nephi 20 after our seeing her...4 times), reading mormon.org so that she knows all the lessons before we teach her...it's cray. She came to church this week for the first time, and really enjoyed it. My only fear is overwhelming her...so I will try not to do that. BUT SHE IS GREAT. And I am so grateful that the Lord saw fit to let us work with her.

ALSO, REALLY AWESOME MIRACLE BELOW! But I will let the profile speak for itself. :)

But first, update: I'm also loving working with Sister Van Leuven. She's white (for you adherents of the color code out there), but a darn strong and stubborn white, who also has a commitment to having good diligent fun, and 'not running faster than we have strength'. I think with my trainees I had fun and worked hard, but I was also super 'in-charge' and I think a little frantic about our work ethic sometimes (not a lot of kindness to ourselves about little infractions--2 minutes late out the door from lunch, that sort of thing)...and not that we're slacking now, but Sister Van Leuven is helping me to understand what stress is needful, and what stress is self imposed and not necessary. And making that distinction is really great. AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL BECAUSE I'M MUCH HAPPIER (and trying to be more chill). Anyways, moving on to Miracle (see below)

PROFILE:

Name: Heather Rivero

Age: 26

Accessory of Choice: Her 'So it goes' tattoo on the inside of her forearm

Maladies: Bipolar, MS and Fibromyalgia. Rough.

Past Religious History: Went to the LDS church till she was 16, had some good experiences in it, but fell away around then and has been a hard-core atheist for the last 10 years.

Reasons why she hasn't been at church: They are probably many, but one at least (that she told us the first time we met her) is that she's liberal (especially about gay rights) and doesn't think her views would mesh if she was an active church member.

Her experience at church this week: First of all, SHE CAME for the first time in 10 years (!), second of all...she had a really good experience taking the sacrament. She'd been reading and praying all week, and wasn't sure whether or not she was going to take it...but then, after thinking about it, she DID and felt really right about it, and now she's committed to really coming back. WOO! AHH!

Changes she's already making: Reading and praying every day. Awesome. ALSO she asked us for help getting her house cleaned up (her illnesses make it hard) so that she can have a better space in which to feel the spirit.

REASON THAT IT'S SO AWESOME! ...:D Sister Missionaries have been going over for a while, but when we invited her to take the lessons, she accepted! Also, in response to her 'I'm a liberal concern,' I told her I was dating one (a liberal that is), and that it was definitely possible to reconcile things. And that's one thing that has helped her open up to us! Which is so great! Bahhh...

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

This is going to be quick because my time is running short. BUT...! Just...agency. It's a blessing and a curse, and something that I've definitely come to better understand on my mission. It actually is a huge relief of stress to endow someone with their agency, and say 'you know, I can share these things with you, and tell you that they've changed my life and that they can change yours also...but ultimately it's you're the only one who can make the choice to act on these things, and I can't force you (though I can invite you to make changes, and follow up on your progress)." So! Seriously though, to see someone's agency at work is miraculous. I'm so pleased to have witnessed (and be witnessing) real conversion in both Heather and Brittany, to know that it is possible, and our job as missionaries is really just to make our invitations as realistic and manageable (and appealing) as possible, so that they can make a correct choice. I darn well hope that this will help me be a good (and more worry-free) parent. But you know, that has yet to be seen. :)

PICTURE:

Oh. Did I mention that we had a cake war this week? Yep. Literally, flinging cake at each other for dessert (we have a very yellow less active we're working with named CJ. His idea.). It was really fun.

Also, the best part is when I stole the opposition's ammunition. See me as a sneaky sneak!

Love you all so much! Don't be afraid to write!

Sister Hale

7-7-2014

Bwa! Time is moving fast. I'll try to stop making comments on it all the time...but seriously, not even sure where this week went. It was an awesome one though! So...I will hit some highlights!

UPDATE:

Very busy productive week for me and Sister Van Leuvan. I love that! Seriously, we have been crazy blessed over the past 2 weeks...just going from like 3 people on the progress record 2 weeks ago to like...8 or 9. Which has been great! We've been blessed to find a lot of surprisingly solid investigators as well, just left and right. I don't know what it is! Sister Van Leuven's faith? Mine? (hopefully) Heavenly Father knowing that we're good teachers and we can help people? I hope so. It has yet to be seen exactly what will come from this up-swell of work and activity, but I'm excited to see what's coming, and I feel a general sense of well-being and happiness at the quality and quantity of work we have to do. I feel like I'm finally figuring things out and hitting my stride...which is a very nice place to be.

Also, Jessica came to church and was swallowed up by the ward in love. Good! Now just to get that girl to the waters of baptism...

I'm also going on exchanges and increasingly trying to discover exactly what my purpose is as a Sister Training Leader. Well! I'll get there. 

PROFILE:

Name: Brittany Pollard

Age (important in YSA): 25

Occupation: Nanny for her best friend's family (husband of family is a less active member)

Clothing article of choice: DR. WHO T-SHIRTS!! (which she says are her only modest options right now; we didn't even mention anything about modesty...pretty cool.)

Very inspired question Sister Van Leuven asked: "How do you feel when you recognize truth?" (led to a really great discussion)

Super awesome thing: She read the pamphlet before she came!

Even more awesome thing: SHE ALSO DOWNLOADED THE BOOK OF MORMON ONTO HER KINDLE BEFORE WE CAME!

And great music that she likes: Chumbawumba. I know because I inadvertently quoted it in the middle of a lesson, and she jammed with me.

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

Gonna be short today my sweet peeps...but! Cool little thought in the lesson last night with the below member's mom...we were talking about how God is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and somehow the conversation turned to the Family Proclamation...and she said, "Yeah, it wasn't in place before because it wasn't necessary. People understood what a family was." Pretty crazy, but pretty true. I've heard this age described as 'the age of possibility,' meaning that all restrictions, all structures and formats are questioned and we can do anything, basically. And questions and experimenting and figuring things out is good, as long as it's driven by an actual quest for truth and happiness, not a quest for what's going to satisfy our own pleasure or ego. I don't think I really had a testimony of the Family Proclamation before my mission...I thought it was nice, but a little awkward. My heart has been softened though, and I have an increased testimony of that document, that the principles in there are true and that they can bless us as we live them. If you haven't gotten to read it for a while, here you go!

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation

PICTURE:

You didn't know that there was such a thing as root beer tasting and testing, did you? Well...yep! Run by a mormon family too (and apparently they give missionaries discounts ;) ). The one I'm holding there was brewed in Alaska, and had a strangely sour aftertaste...pretty fun. :)

I love you all so much! DO NOT FEAR THE PEN AND PAPER! You only have approximately 4 months and 3 weeks (oh my gosh) to feel that happy pat-on-the-back feeling for writing your favorite Sister Missionary! :D :D!!! WRITE ME!!!

Love love love,

Sister Hale

6-23-2014

Whew! Seriously, how did the year get to be half-way done? This is insanity. But! Really not a lot of time (I spent my time watching my brother's valedictorian address. Go Mase! {4.8 GPA you know, not a huge deal :P}, so I will probably just give a quick update, a QUICK spiritual thought (no profile today, sorry :( ) annnddd…go from there. :)

UPDATE:

So, crazy sauce on where I'm currently serving. Are you ready for this?!?

… … … 

…

BACK IN YSA. Yep! Woo! But also…Wha?! Kinda weird to be doing this AGAIN. I forgot what crazy work it is, and especially after 3 extended stints in family ward, it is weiiirrd to be interacting with people my age. And I am--yes, for realsies--awkward as heck. When did this happen?! Oh yeah, when I became an obnoxious, purpose driven missionary. And now people want to talk to me and know me as a person? Boorrrriinnnnggg and lame. Anyways, I'm working on it.

What's also weird…is I got in-zoned! I'm serving in the Halls Lake YSA, which covers the Lynnwood Stake (including Beverly Park Ward where I was just serving) and Shoreline Stake, which is out of the mission. WHICH IS WEIRD. So, instead of going up to almost-Canada like I wanted to, I'm in the furthest south assignment in the mission; so far south, that it's OUT of the mission. But I'm not bitter! 

:P No, I'm not though. I know there's important work to be done here, and the Lord wants me to do it. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll get shipped up to Burke for my last transfer. ;) I did tell the mission prez that that would be alright with me…;P

I'm also serving with Sister Van Leuvan, who has been in the area 1 transfer and has been an STL before (she's helping me). We drive a light gold Corolla (what other car would a missionary drive?!), and it's name is Korihor the Pale Orc. Pretty funny. :P

PROFILE: (okay! A really quick one. I have no integrity!)

Name: Jessica

Age (increasingly important as a YSA missionary): 20! :D

Accessory of choice: A cat named Yoda

Current occupation: Vet-tech something!

Number of piercings: Multiple. I didn't count.

How we found her: Referral from the spanish missionaries! They get us the best referrals when then tract :)

Unfortunate thing: Her last name is Simpson, and people in Ward Council got all excited about us teaching a pop star :P

Awesome and amazing thing: She let us right in, told us she's been Christian all her life, but waiting for someone to give her some guidance and help in it, and she said she'd be up and willing to come to church and (if she knows it's true) get baptized again! Woot!

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

This is really just a thought, and it's not tethered to a scripture (though I could quote a couple)…so, forgive me! But…I've recently realized (I should've known this for a long time, it's just become more clear on the mish) that one of the parts of me I've valued most for a long time was being a bit of a brain. Smart, Ahead, Intellectual, whatever you want to call it. And, to be honest, my interests still lie there; I love learning things, I love dissecting arguments…all that. What's changed I guess is that I'm realizing that raw 'intellect', by the Lord's standard, is not that big of a deal. It's certainly not something that makes a naturally smart person 'better' or 'more privileged' than another of God's children. It's a raw material; a 'talent' per se, and it's our responsibility to do something with it (just as someone who's gifted in sports or drawing (not me) has an obligation to use that talent wisely also). Spirituality (here defined as discipleship, understanding of the Lord's will and willingness to follow it) is infinitely more valuable to the Lord, and when we commit ourselves to that path, he will double (or triple or septuple or whatever) our skills and make them infinitely more than we could accomplish on our own. I've worked with so many people on my mission (companions, ward members, investigators, you name it) who maybe weren't as 'smart' as me, and thus not as valuable to the world (since intellect seems to be super desirable these days), but yet were far more spiritual--understanding of their weaknesses, patient, malleable--than I was, and thus further along in their progression. I've got a long way to go. I've been blessed with lots of cool strengths, but lots of nagging weaknesses also, and the Lord isn't going to be too happy if I sit on my pile of strengths in pride (ironically, because he's the one who gave them to me in the first place) and rationalize away the weaknesses.

Anyways; long thought, simple concept. The end all be all: 'But, to be learned is good if he hearkens unto the councils of God'. 

 Also, if you want an idea of the difference between our personalities, check out the following…

…guess who sits in which chair?! :P

Love you all to bits. WRITE ME!! (Especially YOU: Dallin, Annie, Catherine…yes, I think it is only you whose communication is most overdue. WRITE WRITE WRITE!)

XOXXO

Sister Hale

6-16-14

Hey all!

So...pretty crazy round of events in the last few days. Funny how you can just be bowling along, introducing people to the gospel and enjoying adapting popular songs to missionary themes with your sweet baby companion...and then boom! All the changes. So here goes!

UPDATE:

First off...I'm getting transferred! Whewwww...that will mean my 5th area and 7th companion. That's pretty bizzare. For a total of how many more transfers? 4? ...ANYWAYS. Second piece of change: I've been given the assignment to be a Sister Training Leader this next transfer! Meaning...that I will get to go on exchanges with sisters and be an example of perfect obedience and stuff! Wooo...! Little bit of pressure. But! I operate well under pressure, right? And the work will continue on basically the same, just with some additional responsibility. Boo yah. My secret wish is that I will go north, to Bellingham (or some place similar), where everyone is a hippie (as opposed to a druggie, which is more common in Everett). But! We shall see. :)

PROFILE:

Name: Majeed

Accessory of choice: Long robe, muted colors

How we met him: Street contacting! He was just coming out of his apartment, and on his way to prayer.

The title of our interchange that popped into my head a few minutes in: "Bible Bashing with a Muslim"

What he insisted upon: That it talks about Mohammed in the Bible, and that Jesus Christ could not literally be the son of God, because he never says he is in the Bible, and because if he is, then why would God only have one son, because he loves children and he would have more than one. (Also that Mohammed was the last Prophet, and that the Quaran is the last thing that will be revealed from God, and so why would there be additional prophets, scripture, etc?)

The moment in which I struggled very hard not to laugh: When he asked us if we knew Arabic, and we said we didn't, but he then proceeded to do two Arabic chants for us, and then asked us which one we liked better (one was him reading out of the Quaran, one was not)

Why we're now a little creeped out: We gave him a Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith's testimony as well as our number in case he had any questions...and he's been texting us a lot, asking where we're going and what we're doing and stuff. It's weird. Not sure if he wants to convert us or date us. Maybe he just has some great questions about what he's read so far in the Book of Mormon. :D :/ :X

And for every crazy profile, there must be a good! (Opposition in all things, you know)

Name: Sally

Accessory of choice: crocheted necklace pouch for her to keep her phone in

Former Place of Residence: New York

How we could tell: Her accent :P

Her children: all four-legged; the most recent one is a Pomeranian mix named Angel

Infirmity: She's had MS since she was young, and it keeps her from walking real easy.

What's so awesome: She's a super solid new investigator! Her grandma was Mormon, so she's had a bit of exposure...and she says she's never let anyone in her house before, but that we've found her at a really good time. She's been looking for a church for a while, and ours 'might just fit the bill'. :D

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

Quick today, because I'm running behind...but lately, my favorite title for the Savior has been 'Redeemer'. I looked up 'redeem' this past week, and got a couple pretty awesome definitions. Here's a sample:

Redeem--to free from the obligation of paying a price

Redeem--to convert into something of greater value

Both: excellent. I want to focus on the first though: to free from the obligation of paying a price. Basically all of us before baptism are exposed to the full extent of the law of justice, 'by which no flesh is justified'. We (even if we are not right now) will ultimately be held accountable for the sins and trespasses we commit, and Justice, in a sense, is our master.

Christ comes along though, and stands as an intermediary, 'answering the ends of the law to all those who come unto him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.' He basically says, 'Come here. I'll pay this debt for you, but afterwards you are indebted to me. You continue to qualify for my payment by devoting your life to becoming better and ridding yourself of things that will ultimately make you unhappy (through the Gospel of Christ, faith, repentance, covenants, etc).'

And in that way he both redeems us (frees us from payment) and redeems us (converts us into something of greater value). It's a pretty awesome thing, and something I saw with greater clarity this week

(and I know I quoted generally from a bunch of scriptures, sorry I don't have the references)

Zits on my head, I know. :/ But, that's Dustin! He got on date this week! And hopefully he'll get baptized next transfer so I can come and celebrate with him. :)

I love you all! Feel free to write; I love to hear what's going on.

XOXO

Sister Hale

6-9-2014

Hey all!

This is gonna be brief, probably. Because this week has been great, but not overwhelmingly eventful! Here goeessss...

UPDATE:

Sister Steinacker and I are doing well! We went on exchange this past week, and because our STL's are for the Spanish Zone, I finally understood what it feels like to be a missionary on the first day in a foreign mission. Sans the language training. It was nice and humbling, which I probably needed. ALSO, we got one of our investigators on date for baptism, and another one STINKIN CLOSE. Anyone have ideas for how to motivate a 17 year old boy whose greatest interests include pie and video games? I know, the question parents have been asking for the last 20 years...but seriously, if you have good suggestions, send 'em our way. Transfers are this next Tuesday, and I'm not sure what will be happening...but I think I might stay. That'd be cool. 6 MONTHS IN AN AREA, DANGIT!! That would be crazy.

PROFILE:

Name: Phill

Age: Oh...mid to late 30's, probably

Accessory of choice: Big ol' motor bike (and some tattoos to justify it)

Where we found him: twiddling around with said motor bike

Occupation: Navy. Definitely navy.

Fun fact from the past: Danced Ballet in college. Said he doesn't tell people that very much. Why he confided it to two bright-eyed girls off the street, I don't know.

Where he's found Mormons: Everywhere, apparently! He's decided Calvinists, 7th Day Adventists and Catholics are all crazy. He percieves us to be a little less crazy. That's good!

Bad Habit: Swearing a lot. Seriously.

Discussion point that angered him: We talked about how one of our lessons discussed the purpose of life. "No," he said. "Don't go telling me about the purpose of life. No one knows that, and that's the way it should be. God planted in us the question of why we're here, and it will never be answered. Don't go telling me you know what that is."

Sister Hale's mistaken attempt at match-making: 'Hey!' She thought. 'A single, energetic but kinda miserable guy who could use a great mormon girl in his life! Let's bring the awesome sister who just graduated from the singles ward along with us!' *sigh*...not so effective. She was definitely turned off by the language and the beer he chose to wet his whistle with half way through the appointment.

What we're hoping: Though he's a rough character, I think he's got a bit of goodness underneath. While he may not be ready to progress right now, we left him with a chapter to read in the Book of Mormon, and will be coming back in 3 weeks or so (he's going out to sea for a bit) to see what he thought of it.

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

I have a goal to read every talk in conference before next session, and I was lucky enough to read President Monson's Priesthood Session address today. It was pretty great. His theme was "Be Strong and of a Good Courage," and he talked mostly about having the courage to be 'the same person in the dark as we are in the light.' Really sound counsel. 

The part that stood out to me most though was this quote:

It is impossible to stand upright when one plants his roots in the shifting sands of popular opinion and approval. Needed is the courage of a Daniel, an Abinadi, a Moroni, or a Joseph Smith in order for us to hold strong and fast to that which we know is right. They had the courage to do not that which was easy but that which was right.

I recognize that at different times and in different phases, I've tried planting my tree (of self-esteem or what have you) in the 'sands of popular opinion and approval,' and it's not a very sure foundation. For one, it's often changing, going through revolutions of valuing this group or that...and, it's not ultimately grounded in the truth of the gospel. We plant our tree there as a result of selfish desires for 'the praise of the world,' and we may get that along the way...but end up finding that the cost was our ultimate reward, as well as our soul (and our self-respect). The world's not going to praise you very often for (as President Monson put it), 'doing the right thing because it is the right thing,' but I know ultimately that that's the only way I'll be able to live with myself--being loyal to my beliefs and values. Read the whole talk if you want more; he makes a great appeal to courage in the small moments as well as the great ones.

PICTURE:

To my great joy, we got to play 7 wonders as a District this past week. IT WAS INCREDIBLY REFRESHING (and of course, I won. :P)

And...I think that's about it! See? Not so brief! I love you all though, and look forward to continuing to hear from you. Write me! :D

XOXO

Sister Hale

6-2-14

Whew!

Yep, officially 6 months from today, I will be on an airplane headed home. I mean...to Japan. :P Which will be home, because that's where my family will be. But! Pretty darn bizzare to see time passing. At the same time, no big deal, because I'm content in knowing that this is where the Lord wants me to be right now, and when I'm in Japan, that's where he'll want me to be as well (and when I'm back at BYU, that's definitely where he will want me to be! :D...but that's another story. ;) )

So! Update time!

UPDATE:

Sister Steinacker and I continue to do well, though it's likely that we only have another 2 weeks together. And then...who knows where I will be? Here? Right next to Canada? On an Island somewhere? :D This area has been spectacular to work in though; such a mighty change from Clearview Ward. Incredible how no matter where you are though, you come to love the people you're working with (and for). The love I've developed for each of the ward families that I've been called to work with is pretty astounding, and a lot of fun. This week...can't think of too many unique things that happened. It's blurring people! It's blurring! But a few highlights: Awesome ward Dessert auction to generate money for summer youth camps. Some reasonably fun new investigators, annnnddd...Carla's doing awesome! We committed her last night to start preparing for the temple in a year, and she said YES. WOOT! Hope I'll be around to come up for that when it happens.

PROFILE:

Name: Johnathan (not John)

Sticker denoting likely political allegience stuck on his screen door: 'I support planned parenthood'

Attitude: Quite resistant to faith; says he's got a sister who pushes this stuff onto him all the time, and he says he's an Atheist...but! After a little bit of digging it's evident that he's got some deep unresolved questions ('Why all the suffering in this world? Why have I suffered so much? etc.) that I know we can help with.

Where he's learned about the Mormons from: From Brother Read, his overly cheerful and very proactive Mormon mail man.

Significant activity he's looking forward to in the fall: Attending the Book of Mormon Musical in Seattle!

What's keeping him from being a religious man: A lot of pain and suffering in his life, including two different types of Cancer. He says that if there is a God, then He doesn't like him very much.

Why we like him: I'm not sure! Maybe it's the feeling that I've been called to this place in part to talk to people of this variety, to open their mind to the fact that faith and God can still be an option for them. Or maybe...because he's really fun to talk to. Though he freaks Sister Steinacker out (he's sort of debate oriented. :) ).

Why he likes us: I really have no idea. The spirit! I hope? :) All I know is that he was angry when we first knocked on his door, and then 20 minutes later he was inviting us back. Pretty cool. :)

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

Here's something I stumbled on in the last couple weeks that I think may be an Eternal principle: Leave someone alone and see what they'll do. What does this mean, exactly?

Well, it came to mind when we ran into a woman who used to be active, but hasn't had much contact with the church in the last 3-4 years. She seems very nice, but never really gained a testimony or read much of the Book of Mormon; kind of a social conversion if anything (I would guess). At this point she considers herself Muslim, and covers when she goes outside. She also smokes, which leads me to believe that she's not that dedicated to that faith either...but it's kind of a big question mark. Mormon to Muslim is kind of a big transition, and I hadn't seen it on my mission before running into this lady. After leaving, Sister Steinacker and I kind of turned to each other and shrugged, and my above statement was kind of my response: Leave someone alone and see what they'll do, I guess.

In a big way, that's sort of the whole plan of Salvation though. Not that God has left us entirely alone, but for this time of mortal life, we are outside of his physical presence, left to our own devices, to 'see what we'll do'. In fact, Christ said in Abraham 3:25 as he's discussing creating the earth, "And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God will command them." So that's kind of the test. When we're all alone and free to do whatever we want without anyone catching us, what will we do? Do we have integrity? Will we do the right thing because it is right? Or won't we? Who are we when we're alone, when we don't have someone egging us on to do something good? What if we're left to our own devices for years at a time? Will we seek after God and try to do the right things? Will we find a way to get involved? Or will we slip into the easy, the placid, the comfortable? We're told in the scriptures that we will ultimately be judged according to our works and our desires, primarily because these are the best gauges of what we actually are. So who are we? And how do we show that through the choices we make, even when we're alone?

That's about it. It's been fun to think about these last 2 weeks though. :)

PICTURE:

This is what I do when I'm alone. EAT AT HEAVEN-SENT FRIED CHICKEN! :D (Except that I'm never alone, that's Sister Steinacker behind the camera there. :P)