Family,
This was an exciting week! The climax of it all was a baptism in my old ward, Fountains, in Green Valley from back when I was an office elder. Elder Holt and I found a lady named Justine. She is in her 60s and was a referral from her neighbors. When we began teaching her she was very open and receptive but skeptical at the same time. She liked to talk a lot so we never really went far in our lessons each time. I taught her once or twice I believe then I was transferred. Now, almost 1 year later she finally made the commitment and was baptized! There were many missionaries in attendance and family too. I didn't know this as we taught her but her sister joined the church many years ago and half the congregation at her baptism were close relatives!
In that same ward is a convert of mine named Julian. He was baptized when I served there and he just got his mission call!!!!! He's going to the Philippines and leaves next month!!! I will go through the temple with him in the next few weeks!
Another really neat experience happened yesterday. Every Sunday our Singles Ward feeds us. Usually a group of friends signs up to have us over. Well, just as we were leaving the chapel yesterday I heard someone say the name Kirschbaum. That may sound foreign to you but to me that name reminds me of my service in the Mission Office and the wards I covered then. Brother Kirschbaum was the Ward Mission Leader in the Fountains Ward when I served there. He was a very good friend to me and an amazing Ward Mission Leader. Just after I was transferred out he moved to Pleasant Grove Utah. On his way out with truck and trailer and all loaded up, he stopped by the mission office during transfer conference to say good-bye. I was touched that he went out of his way to do that. I have not heard from him since so when I heard his name yesterday I stopped everything and asked the guy who was speaking in the hallway who he was talking about. Well as it turns out, Brother Kirschbaum's sister is in the singles ward I cover now! I told this guy that he had to introduce me to her some day so I could send my regards to her brother. Well, we left the chapel and headed to dinner and guess who was there!?!?!? Leah Kirschbaum! I was blown away at the coincidence of it all. She called her brother up and I talked to him for a few minutes. It was great to talk to him again and tell him about Justine's baptism and all that was taking place in the mission. My world is so small!!
We are working hard right now! We have 4 people set for baptism and many more we are trying to work with right now. I love the thrill of finding people as we talk to them in the streets and with the members of the ward. The elect are out there!
Also we went up to Mesquite, which is soon to be part of the Nevada Las Vegas Mission. All the missionaries up there including my companion and I walked in the Mesquite Days parade Saturday morning. It is a small town with many members and they love the missionaries. We decided to enter the Parade the night before and as a result our slot was just in front of the Fire Truck. Note to Self: never walk in front of a firetruck during a parade. Needless to say I was deaf afterwards from all of its honking and wailing. Does anyone else hear an awful ringing?
Well family I will talk to you on Sunday!!!!!!
Lots 'O love,
EC
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