It was a busy week (again and as usual), so I'll get right to it: after emails on p-day we headed up to Traverse Mountain in Lehi so Elder Contreras could buy some civilian clothes for his new life ahead of him, though it was not all a loss for me, I got me a sick new Mariner's hat, perfect since with my new short hair hat-head is hard to get!
That night too we talked with Sara again, and she wants her oldest son Deagon taught and, if he still wants, baptized. She is great friends with Heather too, so we have been teaching them sort of together, and the two have been committing together to go to church. The next day we got to meet Heather's husband too, and he's really cool and chill, and fine with us coming and visiting. It'd be nice if he didn't have to work as much so he could be present for the lessons, but we'll do what we can! Heather accepted being baptized in a later lesson this week, though she's going to talk with her husband before she sets a specific date. It's great teaching her, she's very honest and open with us, which is so nice - beating around the bush wastes so much time. But yes, we're very excited about the progress she's making, and the ward and neighbors have been very supportive and helping her and Sara out with things.
Moving on though, interviews with President also happened, and that was great. He gave me some great advice and counsel; he is a great man. The next two days we had to run a couple of errands before Elder Contreras left, though per my request we got to treat him to lunch at Station 22 cafe. In the evenings we had another great lesson with Tina, who is a new investigator we had. She is very set on reading the Book of Mormon to see if it, and the church, are really true. The Rupp family are doing well too, they're fine with their kids taking the lessons too, and hopefully it encourage the parents we well; so two more investigators there too!
We had many lessons with Porter Walker too this week because, as I failed to mention last time, he was gonna get baptized! Porter is 10, and has been setting a great example for his parents and family. His brother got ordained a deacon the same day as the baptism, and his parents have set a family goal of getting sealed in the soon-to-be-completed Payson Temple. They are working great together, and they have two half brothers coming to live with them soon that want the lessons too. He was baptized this Saturday, and I was able to stand in for Porter's confirmation the next day, and it's great to see someone that young making covenants and really understanding the weight of them, if not the full extent. Elder Contreras had already left by that point though, we dropped him off the previous morning and he was taken up to Provo. He was a great elder with lots of good experiences and knowledge, but funny and easy to work with. He is already back in Mexico City now and will be working at the CCM soon enough until he heads up to BYU-I in the fall. We will miss him, and it has been quieter without him.
On Friday we had a great lesson with Daniel (Hansen) Curtis, who is going to pray and also will ask if he can get Sundays off to attend church. He has great faith and is really just a swell guy; it has been a joy to teach him. Sunday I gave a talk both in Goshen and in the Spanish Branch, and that was a lot of fun. We had a lot to talk about at the ward correlation meeting too, so it was a good day!
As of today though, we've learned that Elder Rios is being transferred, we don't know where to yet, but it is way sad to see him go. We only had one transfer together, and it sucks cause we were becoming great friends. He is a convert to the church of about three years, and the people in the area love him. Lucky for me though, I will get to see Goshen in the spring and early summer, which I am excited for! Ah, changes keep coming, but what ever happens, the Lord's in it!
Have a great week everyone!
-Elder Martin
Porter's baptism - Me, Porter, Brother Sabey (the WML) and Elder Rios
Porter's family
Our Trio at Station 22
