August 6

Dear Family,

This week was a tough one. My companion and I fasted. He is still somewhat discouraged because of some things that happened a couple weeks ago, and to make a long story short, I am just stressed. But what can you do. Thats life. We all have our spiritual mount Si's to climb and so here we are climbing it together. All of our on dates fell off dates except for 2, and that also kind of made us scratch our heads in frustration.

This passed thursday we fasted for a miracle who could be baptized. We came accross our new found friend Jacob. He is an unbaptized child of record. His parents had divorced and made him live by a contract that he could not go to, or investigate, the religion of another parent while at that parents house. The contact lifted when he turned thirteen. As faith, guidance, and hope would have it, he turned thirteen about a month ago. We contacted him out, taught him a lesson, and he wanted to be baptized. He is getting baptized this weekend. Fortunately as well, it brought his less active mother back to church.

Then, right after that, we went accross the street to a couple of men sitting at their porch. We spoke to one who told us "Im a hard man to convert. Dont waste your time." We spoke to him for about an hour, answering question, after question he had. He asked us how we knew Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. :I said "The bible gives a great suggestion. It tells you to look at the results of their labors or 'by their fruits ye shall know them.'" He sat there for a moment. "okay" he said "I'll look into your prophet, and do some research." We smiled. "We have a book for you. It will answer every question you have about us." We gave it to him, gladly. As he walked away he said "Im going to read this. And Im going to ask questions. You better be prepared." "bring it on." I said.

So that was fun. Other than that, we were doubting, but felt promted to visit a former investigator. We went to his home, knocked, and no answer came. but later we found another lady who said we could come back and teach her. We then felt we needed to go see a member. We doubted again. We thought maybe we just wanted to go so we could hang out. But it turned out that that member had four referals for us. That was awesome. I guess I just need to trust in promptings more.

Well I love you. Sorry some of you had to hear about a lot of the negative stuff this week. I love all of you.

Thank you for the gifts everyone! I got them today! That was awesome! New shirt, belt, gift card, tie (FROM ITALY!) Tie pins, lots of awesome socks... did I miss anything? Hope not.

I love all of you. Have a great and blessed week!

--

Elder William Lloyd Lovell
Washington, Seattle Mission
10675 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98004

D&C 6:36 - "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not"