A Week Full Of Tender Mercies

Washington is currently broken right now. It hasn't rained since I got here and it appears it won't rain until this coming Sunday. The Tacoma area is beautiful though there are trees everywhere and the grass is actually green! The people here are really nice. We have never declined rudely and often people actually want to hear our messages. Most often though they say they're "busy".


When we first got here we got to meet our Mission President and his wife and a bunch of other people helping the missionaries. I saw my 3rd grade teacher again. Shout out to Mrs. Schnofsky! On Wednesday I met my trainers. I've got two Elder Larsen and Elder Long. We visited an inactive member family and it was cool to hear there testimonies. They do believe the church is true they just don't feel like they belong in the culture.


I had a really cool experience Thursday morning. We went and taught this guy named James Jolly. He had some questions about the church, but to be honest I don't think he even believed the questions he was asking. He than told us something really cool. I don't feel it is right to share what he shared right now, but I know I have a real connection with James. God is calling to him.


Friday we went to an island to meet with a friend, (investigator) for all you old timers, it was cool and we took a ferry and everything. Our friend bailed on us last minute though and then I got sick so not much happened the rest of the day or most of Saturday.


Saturday night, my trainer felt prompted to tell Elder long to look for someone on the right. Low and behold Elder long saw a man with a cardboard sign and it was obvious he didn't he was going to that night. Our apartment was nearby and we had plenty of food there so my trainer, Elder Larsen, told him to wait there for a few minutes and bring him some food. When we were leaving the apartment with the food. Something told me to grab the spare blanket we had. So I did. The man we helped loved the blanket more than anything. He hugged it when I gave it to him. No one should sleep cold. My invitation to everyone is that tonight when you pray you tell God what your grateful for.


Sunday was awesome. It was a fast and testimony meeting and I got to say I have the best ward on the mission.

The Steilacoom ward was on fire. There were no pauses between testimonies and it seemed that too many people were going up there. It was cool. Also they had a break the fast party so that was fun.


Monday, we talked to James again and I think he just needs someone to talk to. It was cool for us to be that someone. We went to the bishops for dinner and had a very good lesson.


I'm going to the temple today so that's cool. I'm excited to see the Seattle temple.


This was just my first week and you might be surprised but there's some stuff I had to leave out of this email because I'm worried it'll be too long. Sorry for it being a little long by the way.


Heavenly Father blessed me with a good first week so we'll see how it goes. I'm excited though.



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