Giving Thanks...

11/22/10...Dear Family,

How is life back home and in Texas? It's good here. I'm finally feeling normal. I don't think I really ever mentioned it, but I've been sick the entire time I've been here in Gainesville. When Elder Morris came from the MTC he was sick, and I caught whatever it was that he had. I had that for awhile. Then it seemed like it was one thing after another. The last few days I've finally started to feel normal. It's really nice. I was even feeling well enough to finally exercise this morning! I've been bummed that I haven't had the energy to exercise. I'm hoping I can stay healthy for awhile.
The weather here has been really great. It's been in the 70's and 80's the last week or two. A few weeks ago it got pretty chilly, but now it's fantastic! We don't have to worry about jackets or anything like that right now. I also don't have to worry about getting all sweaty. I heard it's been snowing more back home. I miss the snow. It just doesn't feel like fall out here. I actually miss sitting inside drinking hot chocolate while it's snowing outside. Surprisingly I've made hot chocolate a few times out here. I really didn't think I ever would. It was tasty.
The work is going well. It's going better with the members than it is with investigators. Misa is still moving along nicely. On Saturday she went to a kids baptism. I'm happy she was there. She's been worried about the water being too deep, but now she's doing a little better. He fiance was at the baptism too. We had a lesson with a few members afterward, and it helped both of them. Her fiance is slowly warming up to the idea of taking lessons. The rest of our investigators are hanging in there by a thread. We haven't been able to find any good investigators lately either. I don't know what's going on. Hopefully the members will start giving us referrals soon.
Elder Morris and I have had some funny experiences. We have one investigator who says weird things. A few weeks ago we were teaching him about prayer, and he said that when he prays he imagines God looking like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. It was really bizarre. Then a week or two after that we gave his wife a blessing because she had hurt her eye. Well, on the way out he said that if the blessing didn't work he could just go find a shaman. He then continued to explain that's it's "just a witch doctor." He's usually good for a laugh or two. He's been progressing very slowly. He is an investigator that the last Elders in this area were working with. Last week we were tracting before an appointment and we tracted into this old lady. When she answered the door we asked how she was doing, and she said," I'm moving....I'm still moving," and while she said this she started dancing. It was hilarious! Not to mention that it took her about a minute to figure out how to unlock the front door of her house. We could hear her turning the lock and messing with it. It was just a funny experience.
I'm really excited for Thanksgiving. I am going to eat so much! I hope I get to have some pumpkin pie. That's one of my favorite things about this time of year. Speaking of Thanksgiving I've been thinking about all the wonderful blessing in my life and the things that I am thankful for. There is so much! I have decided that I will list a few...they are in no particular order.
1.Clean drinking water.
2.Clothing that fits and is clean.
3.My health.
4.That I was able to fix my shoes.
5.Religious freedom.
6.Time to write you guys every week.
7.MY AWESOME FAMILY!!
8.Everything people have given up so I can be out here.
9.Your support and love.
10.Your emails and letters.
11.My bike.
12.A car to drive.
13.All the things I have learned while out here.
14.The spiritual growth I've had while out here.
15.The constant companionship and guidance of the Holy Ghost.
16.The scriptures.
17.A place to rest my head at night.
18.That I can talk to my Father in Heaven through prayer.
19.That He loves me enough to answer those prayers.
20.The Plan of Salvation, and that I can be with all of you again for eternity!
21.Jesus Christ and His infinite sacrifice.
22.Patience.
23.Forgiveness.
24.The people who have worked so hard and helped me through the good times and the bad.
25.Technology that makes it possible to communicate with loved ones across the nation.
That's it for now. Speaking of communicating with people across the nation, in a little over a month I'll be able to call you guys! It's crazy to think about. I hadn't even thought about it until just now. Also, yesterday was my seven month mark. Time is flying by. I see Elder Morris and Elder Camp, who came out last transfer, and I try remember what it was like to be in their shoes. It seems like so long ago.
My time is up. I'll write you guys next week.

Love Always, Zach