General Conference

I know all of you have already seen General Conference, but we just watched all of the sessions in the last two days. So many talks stood out to me that I could share, but they were all great. One thing that was really interesting as I was listening to the talks is that I was getting answers to my own questions as well as answers to my investigators questions. I wish they could have all been there because it was so good. One of the talks that really stood out to me was the Brazilian who talked about knowing when people are called of God, and we are supposed to support and listen to them. He talked about Priesthood leaders and Bishops, but something he didn't mention was with Missionaries. I really reflected and what really applies to me is about my companion. Elder Hooker and I are very different people. We grew up differently, and our outlook on life is different. The thing that brings us together though is our love of the gospel, and how we want to share it. People can be completely different, but when they have a united purpose just as Elder Hooker and I, we are able to be successful and work well together.

This week we had on our schedule our first interviews with President Jergensen. While we were making our lunch in our apartment one day we heard the phone ringing. It was from him. Whenever a mission president calls you personally when they are always so busy it's never a good thing haha. He just asked:" Where are you guys?" I found out that the schedule was wrong and we had to drop our plans to make it there. While we were there we had an interview with him. He doesn't know much about me yet, so mine only lasted about 5 minutes. We were praying about our investigator Ke Jiemei's situation and went to President for some wise counsel. When I brought it up with him, he just gave me a really simple answer. He told me to share 1 Nephi 3.7 with her and talk about faith. The lord will provide a way for her to get baptized. It was so simple, but so profound. Later on that week we met with her. We had planned to not share that yet, cause we still didn't know what to do about that situation. I got a spiritual prompting while we were talking with her though so I shared it. She's trying to find a way to move out of her husband's house. The Lord will help her, it's going to take a lot of faith though.

The guy in the email I talked about last week turned out to be a fake. I think he came and made it sound like he was really interested in our message, took a picture with us and then posted it somewhere. Every time we call him he asks who we are and then just hangs up. It's sad to see people like that because we know our message will bring them peace and happiness, but they just won't accept it. We are trying to find new investigators over here though so we'll keep working hard!

DOGS. Dogs are really starting to be a problem over here. In Bali its a big mountain surrounded by a river and some ocean. The parts closer to the shore have a little more city and more people. As you go up the mountain it gets a lot more rural and there are a few houses strung out. I've run into dogs a few times and almost got bit. I guess it's an inevitable thing over here. I swear Satan controls dogs when they see missionaries. They are always so angry hahah. One time, Elder Hooker and I were biking down this hill in the dark( In Taiwan it gets dark at 6:00 and we are out till 9:30. We do most of our proselyting in the dark) I got behind him and as he was riding past this junkyard he rang his bell and a bunch of dogs came out. I was behind him so I stopped. They started running at me though so I barely got out haha. It sure does make your heart race! 

Overall everything is going really well over here. I could feel the spirit a lot this week! Make sure to watch some conference if you haven't yet. It gives you so much counsel on what to do. 

Here's some Photos of me, Elder Hooker, and Elder Swank in District Meeting