I got transferred! I didn't move very far, but this new area should be full of interesting stories, Hopefully soon I'll have some to tell. My new area is in the Raleigh Hills ward/Market Street branch. My area covers downtoen Portland, and it is a very strange place. So, sorry that this letter took so long to get to you. We went to do our emails yesterday, but the libraries computers were down, so we were unable to do so. Before I give you an accouting of my last weeks work in Rock Creek/Springville let me just tell you how excited I am to be serving here in downtown. I am going to have some really neat experiences, but I can also tell that some trials are coming as well.
Monday we were able to do some service with a less-active member in Springville. We helped her get out her Christmas decorations. She fed us lunch, and we were able to talk with her about her family, and her past experiences. That night we stopped by B and C. B's sister, who is a Wicken, and has always been a little hostile told us that she read a chapter in the Book of Mormon that Elder D left her a year ago, and now she wants to be baptized, and have her daughter blessed. We thought she was joking, but it turns our that she's serious. C started reading on his own too, and had already made it to 1 Nephi 8. The rest of the family had started reading the Book of Mormon together, and B has a goal of finishing it by the end of the year. I'm not sure what cause the dramatic change in their family, but it was really neat. to see. It was definitly a miracle.
Tuesday morning we were finally able to meet with J S again, and we taught her the plan of salvation. She agreed with everything that was taught, and especially liked the part about the resurrection. She had her toe amputated recently, and liked the idea of having it back. Due to medical complications thought she is confined to her house until further notice. She is also not allowed to get into water. She told us that she is healing quickly though, and she hopes to be able to come to church and be baptized soon.
Later that night we met with S and B. She is going to be baptized as soon as she finishes the Book of Mormon. Yes, we told her to read a little faster. She is already ready for it, but finishing the book is a deal that she made with her less-active husband. After the lesson we said goodbye and took pictures because I had a feeling that I would be transferred, and wanted to say goodbye before they left for California to spend Christmas with her family. Oh, and she told us that she would be going to church while whe was out of town, and would also be taking her nonmember sister and her two daughters. She is already starting on her own missionary work.
Wednesday we had another lesson with B and C. A, the sister wasn't there, but we watched the restoration dvd with them. And we talked with C about a baptismal date, and commited him to pray about one. We talked with him on Sunday after church, and set a date for December 22.
Thursday we had a great Thanksgiving. We were able to play in both of our ward's Turkey Bowls, and we had investigators, and less-actives come to both. We spent the day with members sharing in their feasts, and feeling the spirit of thanksgiving.
Saturday we were tracting when we got the call that Elder C would be training. We had just taught a great lesson on the doorstep when the call came. She had gone to a catholic high school, but doesn't really have any particular belief about God. The father of her child was a mormon, and she thought that it made sense that God would send an aditional witness to go along with the Bible, and that you could pray and find out more for yourself. We set up with her to come back this coming Saturday. That night we also saw the E(B and C), to say goodbye to them.
Sunday was a great time. We were able to teach our priests quorum about the importance of the Book of Mormon in missionary work, and practiced with them what they might say when giving a copy of the book to a friend. After church we spent the evening visiting with the members and saying goodbye to them. They were sad to hear about my parting, but were excited for my future experiences, and told me to visit them again. These wards have been so great. I will treasure the memories of my time here.
My time with Elder C has been great, and I am excited for him to train a new missionary. He will do such a great job. He helped me a lot to become a better missionary, to be obedient, and to be open with others. Even though we didn't see any baptisms together, I feel that my time with him has been the most successful on my mission. We worked hard and were obedient each day. I am finally able to see what a difference that is. I am glad to say that I have continued the habits I gained with him, and am still rising in the morning for excercise at 6:15.
Elder L and I have started off at a pretty good pace. I am learning the area, and should be able to navigate around soon. We taught our first lesson together Monday night to someone in the Market Street branch. We talked about prayer, and by the end we were able to help him realize that through his experiences he had gained a testimony of prayer for himself. It was a great time, and interesting to be in downtown after dark. Elder L is a little nervous about being without Elder La, and about driving(he did go the wrong way down a one way street(Portland is full of those), so I guess he has good reason to be nervouse), but I can see the love he has for the people, and he too will be able to grow a lot. He seems so unconfident, and unsure about his knowledge. I hope that I can help him to realize how good of a missionary he can be.
Love Elder Schultz
I did get the package from mom. And if you send anything else make sure that it is to the mission office, because I don't know the address to my new place. The mission office address is:
1400 NW Compton DR STE 250
Beaverton, OR 97006
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