On Tuesday, January 17, 2017 1:08 PM, Dustin Thelander <dustin.thelander@myldsmail.net> wrote:
Hello everyone! I hope you have all had a great week. Let's see, on Monday, we had a family home evening lesson at the Nimroe home. They live in quite the nice neighborhood in Chino Hills, and we had a great lesson on the Plan of Salvation there. The video we watched is really old and cheesy, but it got across the answer to the questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here (on earth)? And where do I go when I die? I love knowing the answers to those questions.
On Tuesday, we had our weekly meetings, and they went really well. In the meeting I was in, I gave a training about relying on Christ, and I did a role play of teaching the restoration as taught to us by Brother Donaldson in our big meeting last week. It went so well. I taught it to an Elder Sabir. He is a great missionary, and he has taught the Restoration lesson a lot. But when it was taught simply and interactively, the spirit was there. In a meeting full of missionaries, the spirit testified that the true church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. It was amazing. In the evening, we tried to visit a lot of people and just saw nothing for our efforts- one of those nights.
Wednesday was brutal. We got a call Tuesday night that our vehicle needed a simple oil change. The church has a fleet deal with Pep-Boys, so that is where the cars need to go. So we brought it in, and also we brought up our squeaky brakes. The man at the desk gave us a time estimate- 4 hrs max. That is a lot of time. So, in that time, we went to get sushi with some other elders and walked around Dick's sporting goods and Target to pass the time. After about three and a half hours, we went back to check up on the situation. Well, the brakes did need replacing, and at that point he said the car would take another 2 hours. This was a gouge your eyes out moment. We sat around some more and waited it out. All in all we were there from 10:30 to 4:45. A warning to all who read this- take your car to anywhere but Pep-Boys!!! We knocked some doors in the evening and talked to some great people.
Thursday there was heavy rain all day. We made our weekly trip to Rancho and caught major traffic on the 60 freeway. The rain coupled with a pretty good sized accident made for quite the backup. So, that took a lot longer than expected. But after that trip, we got in contact with Jose. We had a great lesson with him from the Book of Mormon. He has continued to read, and it is helping him come closer to Christ- he told us that. But, he is a bit nervous about baptism. He expressed to us that he will be the first and only member of his family and knows the challenges that could bring. What is cool is that he wants to talk to our Bishop about the issue, and it so happens that our new YSA bishop is a convert to the church and is the only one in his family. Amazing how the Lord puts in our path the people that we need. It is Christ's main objective for us to return to Him, so of course He will do everything He can to make that happen. For now, it is our purpose to help build Jose's faith in Christ further while he makes his decision.
Friday there was a some more waiting around due to pending carpet cleaning. They were supposed to show up closer to 8, but they arrived at around 11. So that pushed us back a little bit. We made our way to the church to plan for our week up coming. Then went to this place called Snowy Village which is a Korean dessert place. I got the mango special, and it was fantastic. Then we taught a recent convert to the church, Ben. He is doing really well. The bishop of our ward asked us to try and visit him weekly to build his faith even further. It was a great visit, and he was at church on Sunday.
Saturday, Elder Ludwig and I walked around forever up in the canyon area. We found some amazing views. The hills around the area are so green right now with all the rain which we have received (rain like this rarely comes here). Then we taught sweet Sister Bean in the evening. We read the Book of Mormon with her, the evidence of the truth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She just loved it, and she loves us coming over. Sunday was fantastic. No one was at church for us (Paul and Paula had a commitment in LA, Jose had to work), but all is well. We taught Paul and Paula in the evening. It is really cool, every time we visit we make amazing progress. Why? They are doing their part. When anyone does this, they open up for the Spirit to work with them. We also saw Sister Markland and her son. The son is less-active and not all that interested in church anymore. He is 17 and plays baseball, so we had a good conversation with him about the game. If he ever plays in the area I'll be going to watch him.
Yesterday, we went on a cool hike in a state park in the area, more amazing views that is for sure. I also got to hit in the cages for an hour. Can't lie, not my best round ever, but it felt good to hit a little bit. Then we went to a park and played some spike ball. It was a great day, and now I sit here in the email session.
Scripture of the week is from 3 Nephi, chapter 15, verses 21 and 24, "And verily I say unto you, that ye (the people of ancient America) are they of whom I said: 'Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and there shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd'. But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom my Father hath given me."
Love,
Elder Thelander
