Dear Famiree,

This week it seems like we worked a lot but did not see a whole lot of results. Ever since the last baptism in the area things have been a little rough. Although we had many return appointments with potential investigators and many teaching appointments with current investigators one thing or another always seemed to go awry.

We still have many potential investigators and we have faith that as we are diligent and obedient at least a few of them will start to act upon the promptings of the Spirit.

Early in the week we had a great lesson with one of our investigators. She had read a little from the Book of Mormon since our last visit and we feel strongly that the Book of Mormon will play an especially critical role in her conversion. In our lesson we read through 1 Nephi 8 and portions of 1 Nephi 11 and talked about how she can apply the principles taught in Lehi's dream in her own life. When we invited her to Church she said that she really would like to come but she works every Sunday. We asked her what she could do to resolve her concern and she said that she would talk with one of her coworkers and switch shifts with him in order to be able to attend this coming Sunday. We promised her that the Lord will provide a way for her to keep His commandments.

We tried to meet a couple of times with the family we have been teaching but each time they were unable to. They are a wonderful family and we look forward to their progress in the Gospel as they start meeting with us more regularly.

Another investigator, and his girlfriend, said that they would be at Church yesterday. They did not respond to our attempts to contact them Sunday morning and they did not come to Church. Hopefully he was just working out-of-town and his phone died or something.

On Wednesday evening a Bishop gave us a referral for a nine-year-old girl. She attends Church every Sunday with her family but has not yet been baptized for fear of water. We are praying for the Lord to help her overcome her fear so that she will be able to receive the blessings of baptism.

In my Gospel study I have been studying a lot from the Book of Mormon. After reading the October Ensign I have been trying to learn from the Book of Mormon's teaching knowing that it was written specifically for our day. I have learned a great deal and I am trying to help our investigators apply its teachings in their own lives.

We found out transfer info this last Saturday. We had a big surprise! My companion is getting transferred. We thought for sure he would stay for another couple of transfers since he's only been here three months. I'm excited to meet my new companion!

I found out a couple weeks ago or so that the Cards had made the play-offs and then last Friday that they were in the World Series! We found out at the Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday evening that they won!!! We tracted into a huge Rangers fan and I told him he better pray pretty hard for the Rangers because we were going to be praying for the Cards, haha!

It's starting to get pretty chilly here! We've had frost on the ground and the roofs several mornings in a row. And we biked here (to the library). brrrrr.....

I love you!!!

Elder Elder Raymond

Oct 24, 2011 It's Gettin' Chilly!

Dear Famiree,

This week has flown by! We found many new investigators early in the week and had many return appointments throughout the week. Unfortunately, very, very few people showed up for their return appointments. Our stack of unused lesson plans is growing thicker and thicker. :(

We're teaching a really neat family. They have three children. We taught them the first half of the Restoration and set a return appointment to teach the last half yesterday. The Dad was not there and we did not have a team-up so we rescheduled the appointment for sometime this week. They are not currently attending a church and have accepted the invitation to come to Church with us. Hopefully they will be there next week!

We have still been trying to stay in contact with one of our investigators. He is a 22-year-old that was extremely receptive to the message of the Restoration. He works out-of-town a lot and it has been very difficult to maintain contact with him.

A non-member husband of one of the older sisters in our ward came to Church again. He has been taught by many sets of missionaries over the years. We have been trying to schedule a time to go to their home to teach him.

In my Gospel study I have been trying to do better at studying to prepare to teach the investigators with whom we have appointments during that day. I have also been reading from the current issue of the Ensign magazine as I eat breakfast and lunch. My testimony of and love for the Book of Mormon has grown as I have done so.

I went on exchange with Elder K. in Pigeon Forge this last week! It went very well. Both my companion and I set a goal to focus on finding new investigators during the exchange. Elder K. and I found a couple of new investigators, one of whom accepted the invitation to be baptized. My companion reported that his exchange with Elder K's companion also went well. They found many new investigators. It was really neat to go back to my first area with a former companion!

It's getting a little chilly here! We have had frost on the roof/grass/car several times in the morning.

Anyway, things are going very well here! Hope all is well on the home front.

Love,

Elder Elder Raymond