Note: He is referring to Elder AJ Tucker, son of our dear friends Jason and Julie Tucker. We were in Las Vegas to celebrate Kent's birthday and had the privilege of taking Elder Tucker and his companion, Elder Cipriano, out to lunch.
Elder Huntsman and I laughed really hard at the photos you sent too. (I've started sending Sean "Mormon Memes" each week for a good laugh. Here are the ones I sent this week.)
I had a really great week this week. Elder Bassett and I had so many lessons this week. We had 5 lessons total on Saturday. Troy Bangerter came out with us the entire day. It was awesome! We had a sick weekend.
At our lesson with the Shavers on Saturday, Shirley was really on top of things with us. She talked a lot about how bad she wants to change, start committing, and coming back to church. She's been a member for 20+ years, but she hasn't been very active. The greatest part about that lesson was that Shirley expressed to me that she was sad that her husband who passed away will not be able to be with her in heaven because he was never baptized as a member of the Church.
Well when she said that I went, "He can actually. We do baptisms for the dead at the temple." She went "What? Are you serious?" I told her yes and she just burst into tears because she was so happy. She told us that she was never taught that before. It was really great... It's been awhile since I've seen someone be hit with so much happiness at once when finding something like that out. I am really happy that she knows about it now. We are teaching on that when we go over there on Friday.
Elder Bassett and I have been doing great this week. We had a 3 hour long comp. inventory together on Friday. It was a really awakening experience for both of us. He and I talked a lot about how we were feeling and how our personalities are. It took us a little while, but we have both finally figured out how to work together and have fun at the same time. I feel like I may have been a little hard on him. I think that the approach I was taking wasn't working. I was trying to be more of a trainer than a friend to him. I've come to find that just being his friend and having fun with him is the best way to help him. When we are in a good mood together we don't have any problems with planning or teaching. We both participate, listen to each other, and have great input for things. We are having amazing success because the Spirit is with us more abundantly.
I'm trying my best to be obedient, even when it's hard sometimes. Some days I'm exhausted at the end of the day and I don't want to plan but I still have done it because I know the importance of this work. I've been working hard with myself, Elder Bassett, and with Lexington. I will strive to be even more obedient than I already am so that you can be proud of me and so that I can be better.
ALSO WE WON THE CHILI COOKOFF ON FRIDAY!!!!!!! THANKS FOR THE RECIPE MOMMA. Everyone loved it. We made a whole pot and it was gone in 20 minutes. :)
I had an awesome week and I'm glad y'all had a great one too.
Love,
Elder Bills
PS Thank you so much for the ring too! I love it. It's helping me out during the day. I'll look at it and it reminds me to look at an eternal perspective. Thank you so much. (Sean really wanted the replica of a ring that Joseph Smith wore. It is called the eternity ring. Here is a picture and a link if you are interested in getting one.)
http://www.theldsstore.com/lds-jewelry/rings/joseph-smith-rings