March 21, 2011

Hey Moms and Pops. What's up?

This week was another good one. I can't believe it's Monday again though. I literally feel like I was just barely at this computer emailing you last week. Fast week. On Tuesday I was on an exchange and we sang at the Relief Society birthday party. It was four of us and a guitar. It was pretty cool. We practiced it right before and it actually turned out pretty good. We were wanting to make all the sisters feel special and I think it went well :)

Thursday I spent the day in Poinciana on an exchange and we had some cool experiences teaching some of their investigators. We taught this really cool family of 6 and the mom has a sister who is a member and she's read the BOM before. Pretty cool. God prepares people little by little. Line upon line, precept upon precept. That day we also found out that Wanda (who is a recent convert and lives with Helen, who was supposed to get baptized this last weekend) went to the hospital because of some kidney and heart problems. She has such strong faith though. And she is sharing the gospel with the workers at the hospital. She says "Are you affiliated with the church?" to everyone that walks in hahaha. She's great. So yeah Helen wants Wanda to be there so we're putting it off until she is out.

Donita still won't accept a baptism date. She is so elect though. She doesn't even realize it. We've done all we can but it's just not right right now for some reason. She will definitely get baptized up in New York though. She says she will and we're positive it will happen. I wish she would just do it now though haha she's ready.

Friday was our mission conference with Elder Bednar and let me just tell you...IT WAS SO UNBELIEVABLE. Before he got there we all were setting up to take pictures as zones with Elder Bednar in the cultural hall and it was crazy. Because everyone was talking and then all of a sudden it just went dead silent. No one said shh or anything it just happened. Then like 20 seconds later Elder Bednar walked in the President and Sister Hall and the assistants. No one even knew he was walking in but everyone just went silent. Right when he walked in the building it happened. So crazy. I hope that made sense. Sorry if it was confusing ha. But he told us soooo many awesome things. It was just a huge question/answer type experience for both the missionaries and Elder Bednar. I can't even really explain it but it was sweet. 3 hours. I got to see Elder Mullen too! It was so good to see him. He's doing great. I also got a package from Karolyn Castro (my recent convert in Stuart) while I was there. The Sisters that are serving there now brought it to me. She gave me a bunch of junk food haha. And some wet wipes. Haha she's so funny. I love them.

Then the next day we had ANOTHER meeting with Elder Bednar. It was just him, 18 missionaries, and President and Sister Hall. It was all about leadership and how we can help the mission by creating a sustained improvement based off of spiritual experiences (like the one with Elder Bednar). It was awesome to just sit in a Relief Society room with an Apostle of Jesus Christ. And when he would answer our questions he would just look you straight in the eye and man...it's just so powerful haha. He's legit. And one of the other Elders gave him a tie and asked him if he'd wear it in General Conference hahahaha. It was hilarious. So if he wears a light blue tie you'll know it was from the Florida Orlando Mission hahaha.

Yesterday at church, only Donita came. But it's ok because the Orta's (family of five) have been super busy planning this sweet 16 birthday party for their daughter this Wednesday. But they pinky promised us that they would get really committed after this party. And pinky promises are serious...you know. You can't break those.

This morning we did zumba again. It was intense. She works us pretty hard hahaha. It feels great though. Elder Bennett and I decided we want to do it when we get home hahahaha. So that's all. I love you so much. Have a great week!


--

Elder Austin Gable Engemann aka dubEE fresh