Short and Sweet...

July 11, 2011...Dear Family,



How are each of you doing? I hope all is well. Things here are getting better. We had some great miracles the last week. On Tuesday Elder Failner and I got our new missionary. He is Elder Wise and he is from Vancouver, Washington. He is a great missionary. He has been learning quickly and has a great attitude. It's definitely different being in a three man companionship. I have really enjoyed it so far. It has been a great blessing when there is a difference of opinion...it's actually been a great blessing in many ways. The biggest challenge we've seen is getting so we can all teach during the lessons. It's especially hard for Elder Wise because Elder Failner and I talk so much. It's something we're still figuring out, but we're moving in the right direction.


Oh, to answer mom's question the fourth of July was just a normal day for me. We didn't see fireworks or anything like that. I had actually forgotten it was the fourth of July for the most part. Later that night it was nearly impossible to get into anyone's home. I figured it would be, but we did find a really cool lady. We didn't teach her Monday because she was leaving to fireworks, but we went back on Tuesday and had a lesson with her. It went really well. Her name is Mary and she's a great lady. We saw her a few times last week and she has a lot of potential. We actually found quite a few investigators who have a lot of potential. Also Shawn got back in town on Friday!! We are so stoked! He is scheduled to be baptized this Saturday. We're really praying that all will go well for him. He is getting interviewed tonight and if that ends well he should be good. We also have another investigator who is scheduled to be baptized on the 24th of July. Her name is Lisa and she's really great too! She was at church yesterday and the ward did a really great job of fellowshipping her. This last week was really good. We definitely took a step in the right direction. Now we just need to keep heading that way.


Brady and Christy, Mom told me that you sent some pictures. I haven't gotten them yet, but thank you for sending them. I really look forward to getting them! I'm sure they will be wonderful!


This last week I studied a lot more about faith. It's such an essential thing to have, and the greater faith we have the better our lives will be. I feel like I grew over the last week. I trust the Lord more than I have ever trusted Him, and it feels wonderful! Before studying it I knew what faith was, but I still felt like I didn't have a very good understanding of it. Now I do, and I've already seen more blessings. I recognize and believe that all things are possible when we have faith, and when it's the will of God. I can't really explain it all, but I feel more confident in what I do because I know I'm doing it for the Lord.


Over the last week I've also been able to reflect more on my mission. It's mostly because Elder Wise is here and I'm trying to remember what it is like to be in his shoes. That is a difficult thing to do at times. I realize how much I have really grown during both the good and bad times. I see that it truly has been a little at a time. There were moments where I saw quick growth, but for the most part it's been a little at a time. Last night I was reading in my journal and I was reading some entries from a time when I was really struggling. I look back now and find happiness in those memories because without them I wouldn't be who I am today. During the time it was really hard. I felt so lost and confused, but through those trials I became a better person. I'm looking forward to continuing to improve and grow.


Well, that's all for now.


Love Always, Zach