7/23/13

Family!

Well this week was a tough one. But I would like to tell you about the experiences I had at Edrianne's baptism. But first, let me tell you about Edrianne. 

Edrianne is a sweet African American Grandmother. She likes to sit quietly, and may I emphasize, ONLY QUIETLY, on her bench outside her appartment. During one of our meetings, little kids began circling around our appartment on their scooters and skateboards and made quite the rucus. While I was giving part of the lesson, Edrianne suddenly tensed up and yelled at these kids: "You all better knock it off, or I'm going to hit you in the head!" 

On another occasion, we were delivering a lesson when suddenly a bee flew by my face and I moved violently out of the way and said "Woah! That bee came so close!" 

"Those bees wont hurt you, you know." Edrianne said.

Her outspoken neighbor then cried out "THAT AIN'T KNOW BEE! THAT THERE IS A FLY!"

"No... That's definitely a bee." replied Edrianne.

"NAH! I TELL YA IT'S A FLY!" retorted the neighbor

Edrienne then sits straight up with dignity and growls "ITS A BEE!" 

Silence.... and then Edrienne nods at her neighbor with a "that's what I thought" kind of look. 

I love her. She is usually so serious. But when she saw me at her baptism she just ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug... and I awkwardly just patted her on the back twice. She said "I am so glad my friend is here!" 

I was honered to sing at her baptism. And to see Bishop White and my old Ward Mission Leader. My goodness I miss that place. 

Shayleen is getting baptized this weekend! I dont even know if I have mentioned her before. She's a member of a Part member family and she's nine. Elder Fukuyasu will be baptizing her. It will be two days before he goes home. 

Transfers were today. I now have a third companion. It is Elder Basilius again. I am extremely grateful for that. Even though he might not be. 

We got our hairs cut at the Butler's house today. Thats bishop Butler's family. They are great!

I got some insight from Elder Holland's talk this morning. I have never considered that the size of our faith does not matter. Elder Holland says this about the size of our faith.

"The size of our faith is not the issue. It is holding true to the knowledge and faith you do have until additional knowledge and understanding comes." (Paraphrase)

Oh! ONE MORE STORY!

So yesterday, Elder Fukuyasu and I get out of our car to see people moving into our appartment complex. We help them out and see that the work is too much for ourselves so we call 2 other companionships from the zone. At the end, I spoke with one of the louder and less interested guys, while Elder Fukuyasu and Elder Mclaws spoke with the loud guy's friend. Their contact listened intently and accepted a book of mormon and asked great questions! Service works!

I sure love all of you and I am grateful for the letters and e-mails you all sent!