Hallelujah!!

Well we have had a fantastic week! We taught a LOT of recent convert/less active lessons in the La Habra ward like always. Honestly, our whole area is about 3.5, maaaybe 4 miles long (we measured the other day) and about 2 miles the other way. And 3/4 of that is the La Habra ward and the other 1/4 is the North Hills ward. So naturally, and unfortunately, most of our work is in the La Habra ward. Anyway.
We continued to teach Vanessa and Andrew almost every day, especially because they still were to be confirmed (which happened yesterday). And, Vanessa's brother David was there for all of the lessons. He came to the baptism and then seriously seems to have a lot of interest. He's “golden,” like his sister but in a different way though. We extended the baptismal invitation to him twice, and he said no both times. But, he just is afraid to put that date on it. But he's reading and praying. The second time we taught him, he started trying to justify the sins he likes to commit: basically drinking, smoking, etc. He was like "Well, we're all children of God, and I think, that really, in the end God's going to be like, “It's okay. Because really, it's, it's…” (and then he put down his head and then said) “No, no, it's still a sin!" It was so funny to hear him not be able to rationalize it, and he had to be honest with himself. And then a couple of days later he told us that he hadn't smoked or drank anything. That he was already changing. And he is. A lot.
And then on day Vanessa's other brother was there for the end of the lesson. And two of the times her best friend was there (who wouldn't even come to her baptism) and she seems interested too. Both of the brothers came to church on Sunday. Yeah! It's a miracle.
Seriously. Vanessa bore her testimony yesterday too. She was the first one to get up. She's on fire! David will be baptized. We taught about fasting and tithing one day, and the next day he asked us if that's something he should do, so he can get his answer. Wow! I'm not sure if he did, but the fact that he recognized he could do that now, not being a member, is amazing. So that made the week great!



And this Brazilian family fed us Brazilian food one night that was delicioso.
For the fourth of July we didn't do much different. Our stake 4th activity was in the morning and we weren't allowed to go. We walked a lot all day trying to talk to everyone while they were all out barbecuing and getting ready to watch fireworks. Then we ate a Mexican meal (carne asada) for our patriotic meal with some recent converts that we love: the Reyes family.
That night when we got home we actually got to see some fireworks from our balcony. Hooray!
Yesterday we were able to finally see this family that we've been trying to get in contact with all transfer long. He's been a very inactive member; his wife is not a member. They are the Inman family. He was raised in the church, but by the time he was 18 he says he was just “burned out.” His testimony must not have been strong enough, but he says there was just so much pressure to do things right and go on a mission, and have a calling, etc. He came back to church for a little while, but now hasn't been back for 20 years....the time he's been married. So she's never been to church and thinks our church is a really great one. They're such good people and great parents.
And it's interesting: with his business, he visits welfare square in Salt Lake like once a month. So he talked to Sister Patten a little about that. Anyway, we just hope we can keep visiting them and help him be able to come to church. Because when he does, she'll be baptized. What I think is interesting is that on my mission I've heard multiple inactives say that they are inactive is because they were just overwhelmed and the church just expects too much of people. It makes me realize how much you really do have to have a strong testimony, truly founded in Jesus Christ, because if not, you let all kinds of things be your excuses. The church does expect a lot, but because we have been blessed with a lot. And we're all required to help one another. It's not a church you just show up at and listen to a nice sermon and hear the band play with its guitars and everything, and maybe you give $10 to the collection plate, and go home. And I'm glad!



Yesterday this black man got up and bore his testimony and apparently he used to be a Baptist minister. He sure knew how to project his voice! Hallelujah, hallelujah, I KNOW the church is true. Hallelujah, hallelujah! The spirit SPEAKS to me and I am so blessed to have a beautiful woman, and strong black sons. Hallelujah, hallelujah. Glory to God, there is a black president. My mother told me it would happen, but I thought only my children would live to see it. Hallelujah. And he's a HANDSOME black man. And intelligent. Hallelujah, hallelujah. And he has a beautiful strong woman. Hallelujah!
I got a little taste of what it might have been if I had served my mission in the south! It was great. I love how people are so different, and I love being somewhere that you interact with a lot of different people. It makes it so fun and interesting. I love it! I love the crazy perspective on the world that comes through being a missionary! It's wonderful being a missionary! I'm pretty blessed! I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL week! I love you all!