Updates for Elder Hales: Week 36 - Sometimes all we can do is plant seeds.

Happy bday to ma bro! Woot!

Well, another week is done...it's insane how fast time is flying by. Another week of being persecuted, blessed, and lots of funny moments.

haha we came out and the Sister missionaries locked Elder Auva'a's bike up....so after we found out their comb...we put Sister Marsh's bike in a tree and locked it. :D hahah

A week ago today, we went to a couple people who weren't home so then the prompting came to call a less active. So we did and a lady answered randomly...I was like "HI! We're the missionaries! Who's this?" Then the member shortly after invited us over and told us to come over asap. Got there in a few minutes after biking 4 miles, and met a girl name Gina. Apparently her son was killed, supposedly suicidal, the night before and she was having a hard time. (Can't blame her). Gina and her family were raised in a Jewish background religion and all that, so she had little to NO knowledge of Christ, and any sort of after life. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and she very kindly accepted a baptismal date. AWESOME. She kept talking about the good feelings she had while we taught her. Things went awesome and we gave her a blessing the next day.....unfortunately, Satan still has influence. Gina over dosed yesterday before church and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and then wasn't welcomed to the members home anymore for some things she did...well....sometimes all we can do is plant seeds...and sometimes that's all we're supposed to do.

We were out street contacting (one of our favorite things to do) and felt an impression to chase down this guy on the street. Turns out, Robert is a member who is now homeless because of some drinking problems so he lost just about everything. We got an appointment with him at the church!....but he never showed. Meh. Lame.

This one's for Ben. Awe yeah.

We picked up a new investigator whose brother pointed a gun at one of our members..well...he's pretty cool. Crazy.

Last week, the ASL Elders have been going on blitz (where they both come to your own area) in hopes of finding deaf people which is awesome. On our blitz, we did an appointment with the Lord where we felt impressed to go tract down these apartments where I did my best to contact deaf people. Elder Van Noy did a deaf knock on this one house (where you stick you foot in the bottom of the door and bang on the door so it shakes the house) and he answered! They talked away...or signed, and got a return appointment. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to get his attention to answer the door yet, but soon enough! Let's blame it on Satan.

Yuup. Pet pig.

Why doesn't Angel Moroni on top of temples play the drums?

In one lesson, our investigator started singing to us....really awkwardly hahah.

This past week we were able to get more member present lessons than either of us have ever gotten before by DOUBLING our goal. There was 'high hopes' for getting investigators to church, but even after having 3 committed to coming, ....zero showed up. BUT, we did have a member who hasn't been to church in over 10 years come! Anyways, John found out he has to pay $300 child support which is almost as much as he makes at the moment, Gina over dosed, and then our lesson with Barbara the previous night told us she wasn't coming. It was truly disappointing when people tell you that, even after you feel they are SOLID. Barbara has been going through a lot, and we are going over there everyday until her baptism to ensure she's doing okay. Barbara has come a looong way, and has her sights set. Hoping, praying, and fasting for the best.

Waiting for Robert to show up at the church...

Ever heard of CPS? They are literally taking EVERYONE'S kids down here...it's ridiculous.

After we took this pic., a guy opened up and accepted some help moving haha. Later...we were yelled at by the management for being on their property...and all we were doing was helping someone move.

"Don't demand yourself perfection - something that we won't have until Heaven, but demand yourself improvement and be patient with yourself." - Russel M. Nelson

Thanks again for everyone's support, it really does go a long way. If you write me, I WILL reply.