Ok so it's really Chesapeake....

Howdy do?
Well things are going here in good ol Virginia. OK so its not really in Deep Creek. There is an actual place called Deep Creek. But its in Chesapeake. Our area covers both Chesapeake and Portsmouth (pronounced port-smith) don't ask me why. but either way its a good little area. the people are great. they will either talk to you or close the door so normal for VA i think. The members are really really helping out alot not just with meals, actually that is the slowest part of it all. but they are more than willing to go on exchanges and have us over for a AMI. they are all working with families to bring into their home for us to teach. so that is good news there.

We actually had a really neat experience with a family named the Jackson's. There are about 5 people total. 2 adults, 5yr old twin girls and a baby named Eleazar. so only two people up for baptism but in 3 years Brother Jackson can baptize his own kids! they don't have a date yet but they did come to the last session of conference. the mom was kinda preoccupied some with the kids. but they all fell asleep! so they got the watch it. with that talk on marriage, brother Jackson was on the edge of his seat with eyes wide open! not even blinking. i watched him. it was incredible! plus he said afterwards that it gave him a lot to ponder and think about..."meditate on" so that's good. we are going over for a brunch on Thursday... tomorrow. we hope to answer their questions they are having. he has done some pretty good study with both the BOM and Bible. so good news there.

Lewis did not come to conference so he doesn't have a baptismal date anymore. but he is not moving to Newport News like i thought he was so we can still teach him. he is looking for a place to stay and he is having a hard time. he is getting kicked out of his apt suddenly because of his crazy ex. so we are doing our best to stay with him. he said he wanted to call us a few nights back but thought midnight was too late. he really needed to talk to someone. he also felt like he should read his BOM but felt like he was too frustrated to focus. so he just talked his problems out to a tree off his back patio. :) he is a trip. We are also teaching a bunch of people. nothing too solid with them so I wont report on them just yet. but your prayers and the prayers of these members are helping. thank you soo much.

Today we are headed off to Neptune Beach to play some football. now that Oct conference has happened, we can go to the beach. which also means coats back on full time unless it gets over 70 degrees. but its alright. i think i have climatized because i don't sweat all the time like i use to. and being in a car is nicer with the coat.

Its interesting though to see how peoples idea of religion runs. they all think that a prophet is any person moved by the Spirit. and once we say no, they get offended because half their family is "prophets" so its soft treading grounds there. but we do just fine. they also don't like the idea of having someone tell them what to do and think. they believe its a personal thing with God that we supposed to have. we tell them it is very personal with God, but He has called a man on this earth. then they bring up how mans is corruptible. that's why they follow God. its a mess. but we are slowly but surely helping the chosen find the right path. i know we are. its amazing how the Lord works. taking both Elders out and putting in two fresh ones. it helps us because we are probably tracting where they just tracted. and sure enough we find people. miracles happen daily.

Elder Barr is a great guy. he tries my patience 24/7 but its a resistance work out. the Lord sees how far He can push me. until i crack. and so far, 1 year later I'm still not cracking. I KNOW that if He really wanted to, He COULD make me crack. but i don't think He will. at least not now. i can see my last transfer out here, Him doing something like that. Just to show me my final point. He will get a kick out of it and I will too. I love the Lord. we have a pretty good relationship.

Just for y'alls info-mation. in exactly 1 year and 1 days from now, i will be at the temple in Washington and then going back to the mission home to meet whoever wants to meet me there. crazy huh? who would have thought that this is really my mission? and its half over! it's really odd but I'm loving it just the same. haha i don't know if reality has really actually set in yet that it is my mission. once i go home it will seem so surreal that i actually did serve one. and that my mission stories are happening now. its just crazy to me. well thanks for the prayers and love and support.
love to all y'all,

Love Elder Malone