Letter #53

Dear Family,

I'm afraid that in terms of great happenings not much happened this week. However, there were lots of little things, the tender mercies I suppose, and that made the whole week marvelous.

For example, I had a division with the leaders of the zone, Elder Faustino and it was fantastic. Stayed the night with the assistants E. Zioli and E. Peterson. Had a blast. Bought a pizza. Good, good times. I think the best part was just sheer work. There was no lack of understanding of what was going to be done the next day. We both just went out and worked our tails off and it was great! Pure missionary work. As great as training is and district leader, I've caught a small glimpse of the best calling in the mission--zone leader. Elder Bennet had already extolled its virtues to me, but I hadn't seen just how glorious it is. Anyway, the best part was that even though we worked and worked we got home with our souls more rested than before. E. Faustino is the man!

Thursday we also worked our tails off, but we didn't have much luck finding anyone at home. We visited everyone and even left with members but to no avail. The highlight came walking home that night I found 75 reais in the street in the middle of nowhere. . . Umm hello!??!? That's been a blessing as we struggle to get people to the chapel very, very far away, usually paying their bus ticket.

Sunday we had a baptism, a boy we have been teaching, along with the rest of the family who are almost all members. We've managed to reactivate the whole family and one son is preparing to leave on a mission. Since he is eight years old it didn't count for the mission but the baptismal meeting had a sweet, sweet spirit that was very nice end to the week, and the sacrament meeting that had a little apostasy in some of the talks, and classes.

We also had a wonderful lesson teaching the wife of a less active member who's interested in the church. We taught the restoration completely and she accepted the invite to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and also to go to church. And you know what? She went. We marked with her to teach again Saturday and I feel sure that she will move along step by step.

Well that's the lightspeed version. I'm hungry for baptisms! Hope you're all doing well and enjoying Boston. As I approach one year, I had only slightly nostalgic thoughts this week that in one year I'd be there, with you! Can't wait but there's one more to go and so much to be learned, found and applied.

Thank you for being wonderful,

Love,

Tanner