Letter #84

Dearest Family,

 I hope you are well at the beginning of this first full week of March. I have a little news, and it's mostly about Sunday, the best day of all.

Our week was very normal which is nice every now and then, but it certainly signals the calm before the storm, which is transfers and upcoming conferences and councils, which will soon be arriving. I'm going to enjoy my p-day today because it may be the last for a while. . .

We began the week teaching a special family  a wonderful lesson, followed by more during the week. They even made grilled cheese for us one day and that was excellent, especially after having been soaked to the bone. (It has rained quite a bit this week, but I enjoy it because of the shade ; ) We continued our cake delivery to a family where the father isn't a member, a declared atheist though he helps us more than most members, and one to the bishop here, as a peace offering.

Tuesday we went to the office but in a rare gesture of sacrifice decided to pay the extra bus ticket to eat lunch with a family in our area first. That was going really well until president called us and asked us where we were, as he had a surprise lunch for us and was waiting for us to arrive. . .Newman! Oh well, president laughed it off and we kind of did too. I won't be missing that again.

We went after less actives this week again, but didn't have quite as much success being the week of carnival. Here everything is pretty stable but all the shops close and people travel.

Wednesday I taught with Elder de Arapujo a young man, and it was a very edifying lesson on Alma 32, something unplanned as we had wanted to talk about the plan of salvation. BUT, it was God's plan not ours that needed to be used. We taught about nourishing faith and the growth that takes place as we begin to exercise our faith, acting to follow God's will.

Saturday we began our fast with the mission during a phone conference. Have I mentioned that our house is not covered by the phone provider we use!!!!?!?!? That we hang out the window in order to talk with people? Well it's true and our conference call fell three times before we decided to do it in groups of the zones, with president leaving each a message and a prayer. Our peace that night was further interrupted when (and don't get worried too much but it's too interesting not to share) two-men-were-shot-and-killed-in-front-of-our-house! A drive by on the bus stop, by a man on a motorcycle, five shots. I was still awake talking with Elder Christensen when it happened. Our fears were confirmed when one of the man's mother began to howl and cry at the tragedy. For hours afterwards cops circled the area looking for the murderer and the neighborhood awoke to see the scene. We didn't leave the house but didn't need to to see what was happening.

Sunday however, was much more peaceful. We brought six to church. President and his wife made a surprise visit to our ward and we so loved having them there. I have a deep respect and profound love for each of them. Fast and testimony meeting was edifying. Our new convert passed the sacrament for the first time, as the young men are at EFY. Speaking of which, we managed to send through our efforts during the week, to EFY two of our recent converts, as well as another young man. We are very excited for their return and grateful they have this privilege, here a once in a lifetime thing. Our new young couple converts bore their testimonies. President made us blush with his high compliments and love for us expressed at the pulpit as his assistants and zone leaders. A truly marvelous spirit accompanied the meeting, and all left joyful.

We ate lunch with our young couple, literal fruits of our work. She commented that we had to come back next January. . .as she had marked the date of their sealing in the temple: ) They also fasted for the first time. The husband is the most diligent student of the gospel I've seen, finishing the Pearl of Great Price.

Ahh, I suppose there are other things I could share but I don't really remember well. We were very happy to see that the mission brought 258 people to church this Sunday and our goals that I made personally and specifically with each zone seem to be working. We have a very young mission right now and so we are training like crazy to help them mature and grow to be leaders who will soon have to take their places.

I also read today 2 Nephi 28-30, so we're literally on the same page. All said they're about our days, from 2 Nephi 26:12 - 30 rings true. It's happening now or soon will. I love the focus on the Book of Mormon as the proofs of so many things important to us, as God's especial tool in these days. In chapter 28:14 Nephi tells us that in that day people will be stirred up against that which is good or lulled away to carnal security or apathy or believe the devil doesn't even exist. How much do we see this! Even "the humble followers of Christ. .. are led,[so] that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men."

How great is our task and responsibility to declare with unwearyingness the good news, the delightful clearness and precious purity that the gospel is restored and that, through the Atonement and the authority of the Priesthood, we may be made clean and come unto Him. To all who will read and ponder the words of the Book of Mormon, they may know that indeed God is same yesterday today and forever and He does indeed have a kingdom on the earth.

I love you! Have a great week and remember...laugh!

Love,

Tanner

p.s. Tell Grampy I spoke with Brother Gomes on the phone this week, the father of one of our elders who is from Boston and apparently was Grampy's high counselor and branch president not long ago. The world is indeed small!