Conferences and Interviews

Sorry -- forgot to forward this after we got it last Thursday.

Thanks for your support! Carrie

Date: Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 3:15 AM
Subject: Conferences and Interviews

This week, obviously, you're getting my email a day later than usual. That would be because yesterday we did interviews with President Wolfgramm.

In any case, here is a short summary of my week. Last thursday, we had Zone Conference, to which more than half of the mission came to, with Elder Erich Kopischke, the Area President, and Elder Wright, from the first and third quorums of the seventy, respectively. We got back, and we taught the Muçe's about the Law of Chastity. They understood, and commited to continue living it. An idea that Elder Kopischke asked us to apply was in every meeting of the church, to come with a question. Then listen intently to the words spoken and the promptings of the Holy Ghost. And the answers will come. I got the answers to my questions. He then made us promise that if we did, we'd always invite our investigators to come to church with a question. And promise them the answer'll come. Try it. It works. every time. Without fail.

Friday, we planned our week, and did lots of casa. We got in 3 times, to various different people, including a Romanian, and an Albanian. One of them gave us a return appointment.

Saturday, we did casa getting in 4 times and getting a return appointment from 2 people, after also teaching the Armilotta family, asking why the husband was never baptised. In the evening, we taught a lesson to the Muçe's about stopping smoking, and blessings, giving a blessing to Albert at the end. He smashed his cigarettes, and said, I'm done smoking. Forever. That was one of the coolest experiences I've EVER had. And one of the best days I've had in my mission.

Sunday, we had a good sacrament meeting, and a questionablely good Gospel Principles manual. All I have to say is if you are assigned to teach Gospel Principles, USE THE MANUAL! It's written in a way that is easy to understand, and helps foster discussion. USE IT! Obviously, our teacher didn't. oh well. it happens. We did some casa that evening, and we found another person to teach. The weekend was ridiculous. We got in doing casa like 10 times, getting 4-5 return appointments and phone numbers like crazy. I love it when this happens.

Monday, we went to Carnate and did some casa, getting in twice to Franklin, and to another man. Franklin is the first Nigerian we've taught together. I'm kinda excited about it. In the evening, we taught the Muçe's again, about the law of Tithing, and Albert hadn't smoked, drank coffee, or in any way broken the Word of Wisdom. YES!!!!!! Success! And they accepted the Law of Tithing with no problems.

Tuesday, we went to Arcore, did some casa and a scavenger hunt, finding Alexander, a Ghanan man who is very interested in Jesus Christ, and says "He is God. We must trust him". I love Africans. That afternoon, we taught Sorella Armilotta again, and then explored some random place called Lesmo, that we heard was good for casa, but it's not true. Oh well.

Wednesday, we had interviews, where we reviewed the Zone Conference, and talked about how important a baptismal calendar is. among other things. I tried Elder Kopischke's ask a question thing again, and it worked... again. In a surprising way. We also finally received our Christmas packages, which we were very excited about. Anz. Ballif got 5 packages, and I got 2. We brought suitcases. We then had Christmas in January when we got home, and then went out for some work, after moving out our washer to the street to be taken to the dump. It's gone. WOOT.

Today is Pday. I had trouble falling asleep last night, but I woke up at 6:29 this morning, applying Elder Kopischke's other invite to imagine for one minute our replacement, and then go find them during the day. Why? because Europe needs more European missionaries. Switzerland and Greece don't give visas to non EU missionaries, and less than a third of the 3000 europe missionaries are european. So I'm gonna find a missionary to take my place.

I love you!