Last Week?

4/4/11... Dear Family,

What did you think of conference? I really enjoyed it! It's one thing I definitely look forward to now. There are so many great things to be learned if we just listen to the speakers and most importantly to the Spirit. One thing that really stood out to me is the importance of serving others, and what a great blessing it is to be able to do so. I have felt the joy that comes from serving others. It gives us a great opportunity to stop worrying about our own problems and to gain perspective. It's a great way to show how much we truly love those around us. There's always the old saying, "actions speak louder than words." It's true. Of course we need to tell people how much we care too, but serving is a great way to show it. There were many other things that I enjoyed about conference. I just don't have the time to write them all.
Other than that the week went pretty well. We found some new people to teach and were able to continue to work with the members. We did have a great lesson with Lily, Devon, and Dillon last week. We thought Lily could use a lesson on how to recognize the Holy Ghost. We thought that she may have been receiving answers to her prayers, but might not be recognizing them. We taught her the lesson then talked about her reading of the Book of Mormon. She told us that the other night when she was reading she couldn't put it down. She got really into it and was finding so many things that applied to her. We asked how she felt during this and she said she felt a great feeling of peace and a warmth in her chest. A "burning of the bosom." Then when we asked her what she thinks it was she knew it was the Holy Ghost. Then she told us that she knew the Book of Mormon is true. It was really great. She was so sincere. Unfortunately we haven't been able to get much contact with her since then. Her boyfriend moved in with her and she hasn't been returning calls and that kind of thing. It's disappointing. However I think we'll be able to help her get back on track. Not only that but continue to help Devon and Dillon and hopefully her boyfriend too. We had a really strange experience. We went to see a former investigator from a few months before I got here. When we got there she seemed a little off. She was hard to understand, but we thought it might just be because she is Russian and hasn't been here very long. Turns out she was drunk. To make a long story short it got to the point where she was yelling at me to get out of her house. It was bizarre because she was relatively normal and was trying to speak to us in English, but as time went on she started to try to talk to us in Russian. Then she would just look at the ground and talk gibberish to herself like we weren't even there. Anyway, she kept yelling at me to get out of her home and we got out of there real quick. I can't adequately explain everything that went on over email, but it was really freaky. The thing I remember most is how I felt towards the end of the meeting and after. Physically I felt okay, but I felt so spiritually drained. I felt exhausted in that sense. However, all that has done is strengthen my testimony. In that lady I saw nothing but misery and sadness. I know that true joy only comes from living the gospel. I pray that she can someday come to that same realization.

A couple of answers to questions Mom asked in her last email. Our car window was broken out in December. I'm pretty sure I told you about that at the time. The egg was gross. The sister missionaries in High Springs gave us some food they got from members and that's what was in it. The missionary with the hairy back is Elder Hammond. It's crazy how hairy he is! Also, Brady and Christy, I need your address.
I titled my email "Last Week?" because we have transfers next Tuesday. This Saturday we find out who is going. I think this may be my last week here. I've been here for almost six months now and it's very unlikely that I'll be staying. I'll let you know for sure next week. Until then say your prayers and study the scriptures. Ask God if the Book of Mormon is true.


Love Always, Zach