Baptismal DATES!

Week 20-

Okay, so obviously as far as key indicators are considers, my mission has been less than amazing.  As far as experience is concerened, it is the best thing ever! So this week, we had a zone training meeting and some "Standards of excellence" Were introduced, they are sort of mission goals that we are striving for.  One of trhem is 4 people on baptismal date per month.  Looking back, I have only had one person on baptismal date ever.  So I was like, wow, this is gonna make us make some major changes.  But like nephi, elder bates and I knew that if we were asked to do something by president we could do it.  So we went to work, and we set some goals to help us get to those standards of exellence.  What we did during the week didnt make a huge differnce in our key indicators, which was kind of discouraging, so I fasted on sunday that we would find some new investigators, and have some investigators that wanted to be baptized, or would at least consider the idea. Well during church, we got a call from the assistants to the president saying they wanted to go on splits that night so that they could teach someone in left bank.  So I and elder Oman, a native, went on splits, and taught a member's parents the plan of salvation, the lesson went really well, and the investigators to be were like 80 years old, so I wasnt expecting a whole lot other than a return time.  Then Elder Oman committed them to be baptized on Febuary 13th!, And they said yes! SO the moral of the story is that if we depend on the Lord, he will do his work through us! The miricale only happened after I had fasted and prayed for specific things! Elder bates and I are really working hard, and we are so excited to have some investigators to lead to the baptismal font, and eventually to eternal life.  We asre going to meet with them again probably this Sunday so wish us luck! 

Funny story: Elder Bates keeps slipping! His boots have weird treads and so they dont get a good grip on the ground, and there is so much Ice on the ground it is crazy, he has slipped 10 times since the snow started to really come down.  I havent slipped once yet, so I am winning.

This week we taught Walter, and he basically commited to be baptized, but only because he didnt understand what he was saying.  We had him re read the intro to the book of mormon, and he pointed out that he couldnt do all the stuff we asked him to do because he hadnt read the whole thing yet, so we committed him to do everything in the introduction, he said he would, we said he would have to live his life in accordance with the book.  and he agreed, so we are having him read in 3Nephi 27 this time where it explains the Gospel of Jesus CHrist.  HE will get baptized eventually, and he said that he got an answer from God that he has to keep reading the book of mormon, so he is just progressing at snail speed, But progressing none the less. Well, that is it for this week, I love you all!

Emails with Mom-

Hey buddy,

Thanks for sharing your experience about the letter with me.  It means a lot.  I prayed so much about those letters that I would be inspired to write what message you would need to hear from me, from the Lord, or from Daddy Jake.  I prayed they would be an answer to prayer when you needed it most.  I hope that you have more experiences like that, even if it's rereading a letter that you already opened. 

I am sorry you got sick.  Are you feeling better?  What kind of sick were you???

So we went to Disneyland this week and also to the beach.  It was great.  Grandma came for a couple days, and we really enjoyed the weather.  We were laughing because the local news had a story of "how to beat the winter blues".  It was 62*...so I'm sure they are all just suffering out there in Southern California;).

We had more snow this week, it's piled up all around the neighborhood.  The kids have one more week of off track.  Second quarter is over in a week...so that is crazy.  The time really is flying by for us.  This January hasn't seemed near as depressing as I usually feel it is.  I think another blessing of you serving.  Dad is on a work trip all this week in San Francisco.  I am really hoping Dakkon finds a job this week.  He needs to get something going.  He has been helpful around the house though, and he has regular chores, like everyone.  Dad and I really regret not holding him to a higher standard the first time he was here.  We were being cautious with his situation, but it probably wasn't the best option. 

I miss you like crazy.  We are really all doing really good, but I still miss having one of my best friends around.  I am really proud of you for doing so well out there.  I love watching for Sister Sullivan to update the blog.  The last post you were only in one picture though.  So here is my picture request...be in more pictures!!!  And also get better lighting on the pictures you are taking with your camera.

Sarah's farewell is next Sunday...crazy.  She is so excited!

Questions-

1-Are you enjoying the seasonings, and also brown sugar?

2-What are your predictions for this weeks transfers?/Do you have any preferences in staying in Left Bank or a new area?

3-Where do you do your laundry?

4-Are you safe?

5-Are you still happy and positive?

6- Some of the other moms have talked about their missionaries struggling with depression, have you dealt with any of that?

7-Were you able to send the hats yet?

**8*** Important....last week over $330.00 was taken out of your bank account.  Was that you? for the hats?  

9-Random Ukrainian fact?

10-What was your happiest moment this week?

11-Most memorable moment?

12-Favorite thing about Bates?

13-What do you miss about home?

14-Specific prayers needed from us?

Well,  I miss you and love you so much.  I pray for you everyday...and several times a day!  Your such a great son, and a wonderful missionary.  We are all proud of you, especially me and dad.  I am continually grateful you are in my family and my son.  I feel it is an honor.  Thank you for that.  I know that Daddy Jake is proud of you and with you every step you take.  Having you serve has made me so excited for Grandma and Grandpa to serve as well.  Including all the other boys.  My whole life I have dreaded when the missionary revolving door would start...thinking of how hard it would be.  But I am so excited about it now and grateful, I love it!!

Love you tons.  Be safe!!!  Stay happy and positive.  Stay faithful.  Hit your knees when it's hard and when it's easy!!  Stay close to Heavenly Father and Christ.  Know that you are loved no matter what choices you make.  You can do hard things!!!

I love you,

Mom!!!  

Yes I am loving the seasoinings, and I havent used the brown sugar yet, but I am saving it for a special occasion.  I am not sure, I think I will get moved, and Elder bates will stay here and train.  We do our laundry at home, but we have to hang everything to dry.  I am way safe, sister sullivan wouldnt sleep if I was in danger.  I am still happy and positive.  I dont know what depression means.  I havent been able too yet, and yes the 330 dollars was me.  So I still have to buy yours, and I need to know whether or not you want a white hat or a black hat? And it will be mink. Random ukrainian fact: A. Open a window and a door at the same time, you will get sick, B. If you go outside without a hat, you will get sick, C. If you go outside without a scarf, you will get sick.  Basically they believe everything will make them sick, it is really funny.  Favorite thing about Elder Bates is that he is willing to work hard.  I really miss you all! But like materially, I miss having my own car, I would describe the marshutkas here as "sweaty" in one word.  Just pray for us to find investigators that want to be baptized.  Thanks so much for all the love and support.  I miss you all so much and I have really changed our here.  One thing that has changed is my definition of profanity, porn, etc.  There are a few things I did before my mission that I didnt consider profane, but that now I do, so that is one thing that has changed.  I still feel really bad about the way I treated Josh sometimes. LOve you!