1/9/12

Hey Mom!

Nope, its not morning here, but I am having a great day.  We cleaned
the basement this morning, it was pretty nasty.  There was a garbage
pile big enough to fill a dumpster. Most of the spider webs are gone
too. So no more deep cleaning, there isn't too much left anymore, the
apartment looks completely different.  Exciting news, Elder
H  got called to be a trainer this morning.

  I've noticed my days go a lot smoother as well when started with that
morning work out.  I have only gone
running once though, so when we had a zone p-day last week and played
basketball all day I was a little sore.  President Sorenson has been stressing
lately the need to readevery day.  He gave us a Book of Mormon to mark all
the names of Christ and write down His attributes.  It really makes you think about
who is talking and who really is being referenced.

I really enjoyed your letter.  That was a great article in the ensign.
We read that in priesthood last week, and then this week we read from
the teachings of George Albert Smith and what his creed for life was.
Those two are where my goals for the year are coming from.  That whole
idea of attitude really makes a difference.  The entire last issue of
the Ensign just had lots of good things for me to change.

Now that the holidays are over the work is picking up a bit more.
More of the members are coming out to teach with us.  We went teaching
with one of the stake presidency last week and the stake president
asked us Sunday when he gets to go.

T, A  and B  are our three investigators with baptismal
dates.  T  is doing good, she missed church but felt terrible.
She has been real up and down about stuff but more and more is
realizing what she needs to do.  A  and B  (mother and son)
came and watched the baptism of one of B's friends in the branch.
They really enjoyed it and had a couple questions.  Each time we visit
B  keeps saying "baptize me right now!"  A  is even explaining
quite a bit of the doctrine to him and is really starting to
understand it.  Phil is still missing in action, not really sure what
is going on there but hopefully he gets back to us soon.

Other than that there is a family we are teaching, but just the
parents.  The kids are mysteriously always upstairs.  J  is born
again and has been through just about every religion.  B  was
raised catholic but had some issues with doctrine.  They are very nice
and have listened pretty well to what we have to say, and have a lot
of questions.  They are mostly open, and each visit they open up a
little bit more.  Last night J told us he really enjoys us coming
over.  They pretty much told us that if they didn't have the Bible
they would completely believe everything we were saying, but because
they do have the Bible they are a little hesitant.

As far as my new companion, I still have Elder H, I won't
know who my new one will be until a week from Wednesday.  Elder
H  is great though, we are getting a lot of work done.
He's kinda goofy but I love the guy.  Things are definitely going well
over here, I'm still loving every minute of it.

That is about it from me. Oh, let Jacob know his team didn't do too
bad.  The boys team here lost 48-8.  Not too bad considering most of
the boys had only ever touched a basketball once before the game, and
that was at the practice the Wednesday before.

Love ya lots, and I will write again next week!  Although it will be
Tuesday because of transfers.

Elder Tanner Newey