Wednesday, January 4, 2012

New Years 2012

Hello!
I hope everyone had a good new years! I was in bed by 9:30, so obviously we didn't do anything exciting. We didn't get to stay out late, I know some other missions do that on holidays. President Belliston is a fan of following the handbook to a T. Which is ok with me. We have an EXTREMELY obedient mission because of him. And because of that the Lord blesses us with miracles! A while back I mentioned that the goal for baptisms in our mission for 2011 was 400. It was a ridiculous goal for this mission considering about 2-3 years ago it averaged about 10-15 a month. So we made it to 395 and had 61 baptisms for the month of December! Its completely unheard of in this part of the country. We just barely missed the goal but it was still a miracle nonetheless. I love being a part of this mission and being able to witness incredible things happen! I'm sending the graph of baptisms in this mission. I know its probably not as cool to all of you as it is to me. But it just shows that the work of the Lord is moving forward!
Anyway... We had a good week. Our investigator Wayne is still doing great. He started living the word of wisdom the day after we taught it to him and has been ever since. He says hes been feeling really good in the morning without any coffee. He's just amazing. I cant even explain the change in him. He smiles all the time now. I'm so excited for his baptism. Now we just need to find him a nice girl...
What else. We had some really great days where we spent a lot of time knocking on doors. I wasn't a fan of knocking so much my first couple of months. Mainly because its really unproductive, most people shut the door on us before we can even get a full sentence out. But sister park has shown me how its done the last few weeks. I think it was on Wednesday, we taught 6 lessons in a row on a little street! So now I'm kind of liking it... most people still think we're crazy, but that's the fun of it all. My favorite is when people are terrified of us because they think we work for the government.
This morning we got to go to breakfast with our whole zone. There's a member who loves the missionaries so he took all 18 of us to some buffet. Sister Park and I and 16 elders! Definitely interesting, but it was fun. I felt like a normal person for a second. I'll send some pictures. It's funny to me how many people just adore missionaries. I feel like people are constantly doting on us. I swear someone is showing up at our apt ever few days with pie or cookies or gift baskets of something. Its a little overwhelming sometimes! But it's great to have so much support all the time. President reminds us that we have the whole world praying for us. I feel so blessed to be able to serve a mission. I know I probably say that all the time, but I do!
Well I hoe you all have a good week! Until next monday!
Sister Walker