9/9/13

Hey yall!

This week has been an interesting one, we have been busy meeting less actives and other members. which is always good, not as busy teaching as i'd like to be.  Sometimes i feel like i end up doing the same thing over and over again and nothing is coming out of it. that is one thing i have learned is to keep the mission life interesting and new ideas!  But i love this ward so much! they really have helped me so much out and they are great examples to me of everything a ward should be, they aren't perfect but they really know how to be charitable.

We taught some good lessons this week to Norman, Jim and penny, and a couple of new investigators. The thing that has been hard is people's agency, i don't want to sound like Satan but it would be nice to take that away for a little ;) I guess that's one thing you learn as a missionary is how to help people make the right choice and its a hard lesson but its part of the mission life.

Its hard for these Texans to understand that our church is not just another church, its THE TRUE church. I think with all the churches around us, it makes our investigators skeptical wondering how much our bishop gets paid. Some days i feel like a salesman because i say things like " guess what, at our church no one gets paid! " " you should join "
Almost makes me sound like there is a catch to my sentence. when there isn't!

The area is doing good! Last night we had our first ward mission event! It was a meet and greet that was held at the bishop's home, and the purpose was to invite new move ins and non members to meet some of the ward council at a less intimidating environment, i guess a more casual place and members were encouraged to bring family pics and treats and we all just talked to each other and got to know people better. We had one nonmember come and it was awesome! she had a good time and really enjoyed meeting the relief society president! I was really happy, so was our ward missionaries and leaders. It was great to see the members at work with their missionary efforts. Its a good start for the members, i can only imagine how it will move forward. I know how important it is for the missionaries to work with the members and members with missionaries. For the vision President Ames has of one day no more tracting, this was a good start.

Funny story, i was walking in the street of a neighborhood  yesterday to our dinner appointment. Minding my own business, i see a shorter man walking this huge German Shepard. And if you know me i am not a huge fan of big dogs, so when we got close i moved over to the side walk so i would not have to deal with the dog. i guess that was a bad mistake. because all of the sudden this German Shepard ran over and jump on me and bit me on my back! i ran forward while the owner was pulling the dog off me and was apologizing, boy i was shook up. I told him i was okay and i just kept moving. I've never been bit by a dog hard enough to make me bleed so i didn't know really what to do so once i got to the members home i just asked to check it in the bathroom. haha i mean i was bleeding so you could see it through my white shirt, and i wore the same shirt to the bishop's house. I'm okay though.... i hope! :)

Well sorry that wasn't a very spiritual story but it was probably the most exciting thing that happened this week.

Although i am very excited for this week to meet Elder Anderson! and have this mission conference on Wednesday!

I hope yall have a great week! I love and miss all of you, and i want to thank yall that helped with my house in Orem. Forth ward is the best! :)

Love,
Elder Boettcher