3/8/10 Letter

My goodness gracious! I don’t know where to start! I guess with the most recent….

So we just had a sister’s luncheon. It was a lot of fun. It was really weird to see my old companions again, along with the two sisters from Temple Square. We got there a little early and we all chatted while we waited for sis. Halladay, Kitto, Coleman and DeWitt to arrive. Sis. Halladay was a bit sick to it was a little hard for me to recognize her voice at first.

We sat around al long table (2 tables put together) and had light sandwiches and salad as we chatted. Sis. Showalter (mission mom) passed bookmarks out to each of us that had first names. Each one had the first name of one of the sisters and we had to guess which name went to which sister and then tell a bit about that sister.

After that we had a chance to talk about our areas so the sisters who’d service there could get updated on what’s going on with the investigators.

It gave me a chance to inform Sis. Halladay, Cicon and Coleman (who I replaced) that Kristina’s getting baptized this Friday

Bet that got your attention.

So a couple days ago, sister Batkhand and I went to Kristina’s and basically told her (in a nicer ways) that she was putting coffee ahead of God and she needed to give it up or else she couldn’t get baptized (which she was talking about, that she wanted to do) we also let her know that the only reason we were hitting this so hard was because we loved her and wanted the best for her. She cried and we prayed together.

Sunday rolled around and she made it to church coffee free. She was about 20 minutes late, but she made it! I was so proud of her. After sacrament she wanted to talk to the bishop to make sure everything would be good for her to be baptized etc, It went well, and that night we went to her house with the elders, because I didn’t know if she needed to be interviewed again since it was January that she was last interviewed.

As soon as we walked into the apartment, Kristina went right to the kitchen and handed me the two small packets of coffee she’d bought. Later in the conversation I told her how proud I was of her for giving it up and she said “it’s no big deal, it’s just coffee.” Miracle I tell you!

Kristina reminds me of the ocean, like tide that’s coming in. Every time she gets a little closer then falls back, then gets a little closer… Etc. I hope she does it this time! This is the closet she’s ever been before. I hope she goes all the way. She’s been speaking like she wants to go all the way and then some… I‘ll start celebrating at 8:00 pm Friday, because then the baptism will be over. Hopefully! :) It’s tempting to do it sooner.

Another miracle this week is Tallon and William got married this Thursday! We all have been hoping and praying for this to happen. I’m so grateful! It means they can progress to baptism and have a better life for their two little girls. I hope they see that. I can tell they’re starting to. Even though (*Gets distracted by noticing whipped topping in hair and picks it out before resuming*) it’s been a slow process I can see the two of them progressing. Who knows? Maybe they’ll get baptized before I leave.

Winston and Edith are funny. I think I mentioned them before. They’re son and mother, with Winston being 67 and Edith being 95, going 96. crazy! They’re not consistently gone to church since Winston was a teenager, near as I can tell, so we’ve been trying to help him gain his testimony back by helping him realize little things are part of his testimony, like him believing in Christ, him sustaining the prophet, etc in ward conference, him going to church are all part of his testimony. He sounds surprised when I tell him each thing is a part of his testimony and then tries not to smile as if he’s so pleased he can’t hide it. It’s kind of cute, like a bashful teenager in a 67 year old body. We’re working with the ward to see who he’d get along with, etc.

We’re hoping the best and working our hardest.

Last time we met with them half the time we were mainly talking with Winston, since Edith can’t hear very well she gets bored easily, so the other half of the time we sang hymns. Edith plays the piano very well and by ear (ironically enough). I don’t play very well but I can sometimes fake it because I also play by ear, along with a small amount of note reading. When I can’t read the music or make it transition to my fingers, I just sang. Both Edith and Winston loved it and I think could feel the spirit.

Sis. Batkhand and I were just about to leave without saying a prayer and he stopped us and said “hey aren’t we going to say a prayer?” I couldn’t hold back a grin and asked him who he wanted to stay the prayer.

It was exciting for me because that was the first time he had put forth the effort to keep something spiritual like that when we’d forgotten.

I love getting the ward involved. It’s been tough at times but seeing it happens it just such a great thing. I love it!

It helps me to meet more people because it makes me branch out from the normal members I’d generally run to for help in missionary work, sometimes it’s scary, especially if you have not talked with them much before and you’re teaching a lesson with a tough investigator who already has a hard time with the church. So far it’s worked out. Sometimes it’s worked better then others, but we’re getting more people to church then ever. Both investigators and those who haven’t gone in a long time. It’s exciting

I can’t believe this transfer is more then half over! I have only about 3 weeks before they ship me back to Temple Square. It’s crazy!

Doing Interviews with President Showalter I asked him what I should do to make the best of my time here (‘Make it Count’) and he said something wise and mission President-y, but I can’t for the life of me remember what it was right now, probably something to do with following the Lord, because he knows where his people are. I remember we read a parable from the bible about the Fish in the next and how there were so many that the next broke, where before they had no luck. Well, Christ knew where the first were and he’s doing a pretty good job of scaring up new investigators (though sometimes – about half the time, they’re for other missionaries since they’re out of our area)

Anyway, God’s mindful of us and wants us to improve. During interviews I’d realized my prayers were a bit selfish, looking for my glory more then God’s, so I’ve been changing my attitude and the way I’m looking at tings and doing my best.

So that’s my schpiel for this week. Forgive the Scatteredness…you know you like it ‘cause it reminds you of me :)

LOVE! Be good and Happy!

Love S Durtschi.