Last Monday we had a unique opportunity - our Stake got permission to have the Columbia Temple open on Monday (typically closed for cleaning, etc.) for us to have a special Stake Temple Day. We all went as a family but we missed having Brett, Jared, and Grandpa. Here is Brett's letter from 9/26/11:
I'm glad to hear that you guys are going as a family to the temple. I know that our purpose as missionaries is first get people into the water and then into the temple. Temples are crucial for our salvation.
So my life. Hmmm, where to start. It rains here everyday. We got caught in the rain the other day without our gear, and yeah, we had to go back to the house and change. We missed our appointment, but when we called them from our house they weren't home, so I guess technically we didn't miss it because they wouldn't have been there. But I loved it. We were laughing the entire time, and it felt really really good. I love how the rain sounds on the roofs of the little shacks we visit. Its soothing to my soul.
Our investigator that we had planned for baptism this week kinda flipped on us. Not only did she not want to be baptized, but she also told us that she was returning to the Pentecostal church and that nothing we could do or say was going to change her mind. We tried to change her mind, but she is pretty stubborn and determined. So yeah, we lost her. We also lost another one on Sunday. We have been inviting him for church for as long as I've been here, and we've even brought him a car twice. Both times he was at his house, talked to us, and didn't come. We've decided that its time for us to move on, if he doesn't want to progress, than we can't really fix that. We've taught all the lessons and the importance of going to church about 5 times now, and he still doesn't have any drive in him. But its okay, because we found 10 new investigators this week, and 3 families that we set baptismal dates with. My favorite family is still Family _______ (I feel bad having favorites, but they are amazing). Hector is golden. He reads every day, and is an example to everyone in his family. He's come to church for 3 weeks, and every week he brings someone new with him. He has a very powerful testimony of the divinity of the Book of Mormon, and he taught his cousins the other day for about 45 minutes straight. It's pretty sweet when the missionaries can sit back and watch their investigators teach other investigators the Gospel.
I gave a talk in church yesterday as well. The bishop didn't think I could do it, but I did. I spoke for about 12 minutes, which I think is hilarious because I can't even speak for that long in English. Hahahahaha! But seriously, I know the difference is the Holy Ghost. Its not that I was a bad person before the mission, but more that I am a better person now than I was before. The Holy Ghost and blessings in your life are directly tied to your obedience and faith. Trust God and keep His Commandments, and everything will be alright. I really like the song "Lead Kindly Light" I like how it says "one step (is) enough for me" We don't need to see the whole picture, one step is enough for me. I don't have to see where I will be in 1, 2, 5 or 10 years, I just have to see where I'm going and what I'm doing right now. The Lord has a plan for us. Take it as it comes, little by little. The Gospel blesses us with the knowledge that no matter what happens, everything will be alright.
I love you guys. You're amazing!
Elder Hansen
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