October 15, 2012

Hola,

 

First off: Staying in ^^^! :) ~same address~

Sorry you guys didn't get your letter last week! I sent it off kind of late, but I DID send it last week. I was hoping it would get there Saturday, but you should get it today. I am feeling a lot better. This week was actually a very rough week for me, but so amazing on the flip side. Interesting how that works out!

 

So, no baptism this weekend, however, Ki has decided to get baptized this upcoming Saturday. We are so excited for her! She had family in town all last week and they were traveling a lot together, so meeting with her to finish teaching her was rough. But she is back and ready to go!

 

We have a couple we are teaching named Dal and Her. I don't  know if I already told you about them, but they are so cool! They are the couple that just showed up to the church one night looking for the Bishop to ask permission to learn more about the church! They watched General Conference and just loved it :) So neat! As Sister Win and I were preparing for their lesson the other night I told her "I don't think they're married..." she said, "Of course they are! They said they've been together for 18 years! They're older anyhow. They've got to be married by now."

But I just wasn't feeling right about it. So I had us roleplay in our companionship study how to address the concern if they really weren't married, and how we could answer them if that was the answer we got! It was a good roleplay, and as we went into the lesson that night with Brother and Sister Kit (ward missionaries) I paid close attention to body language and facial cues as we began teaching them. And there I felt it: "they're not married. Ask them."

So I asked "How long have you guys been together?"

"18 years!"

"That's wonderful! Congratulations!"
"Yeah, it's been a great time together. We really love each other."

(Now, if we left it at that some could assume they were married. But I decided to be nosy and ask:)
"So how long have you guys been married?"

.......

They reluctanctly told us they were not married. We took it in a very serious and gentle way, and sensitively talked about it. They asked why they needed to be married so we bore testimony and testified that the Lord would bless them, and it would prepare them for their baptisms and someday entering the Temple. Dal and Her looked at one another and said "Alright! We can do that!"

I was shocked, but so excited! In the past there have been some people who were married and baptized on the same day... they want a small ceremony and were intrigued by the idea! So... I may have to have you send my cake stuff down again... :) So right now they're praying about a wedding/baptism date! SO COOL!!

 

We are also teaching Hy.. very sweet guy and very humble. He's doing so well! He decided to quit smoking last Tuesday and hasn't smoked since! He came to church yesterday and is really excited to get baptized! If he's ready, he may get baptized at the end of this month.

 

And speaking of not smoking, Lan and Ban are working WONDERS!! This weekend was their ward's Annual Ward Campout. They did everything they could to get Ban off work from both jobs so they could go the entire time! We prayed hard that they would be able to make it: they did! They decided together that they were going to forget their past efforts to quit smoking and just take this as a new time in their lives. Start over. They used the ward campout as a way to just get over smoking that first few days (one of the hardest parts..) they took NO smoking supplies (we took them all from them and told them to rearrange their back patio where they also smoked). Saturday night we went over to welcome them back and see how the trip was! We sat there and heard about their fun stories, and then asked "So... how's the smoking?"

Lan's reply: "What smoking?" :D

They were both so proud! :) :) Ban just sat there grinning as Lan said they both came home after camping and said "Wow! We went three whole days without smoking! Why stop now?"

Yesterday in church they stayed for all three hours (a great accomplishment due to their busy son) and told everyone they are getting baptized on the 27th of October! They are so willing and they really do desire that blessing in their lives. We're praying for them, and we're reminding them to not get comfortable! Stay strong!

 

Miracles.

 

I'm doing and feeling better this week. It helps that the weather is cooling down (can you believe it's almost Halloween??)

 

I hope that everyone remembers the blessings of their lives, and when the going gets tough, just remember that Christ felt it already.. JUST FOR YOU. I know that's true with all my heart. He's there to comfort and guide us.

 

I love you all so much!

See a great week! * * * Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah for Israel!

Love, Sister Moore