40 Day Fast

Well I think I told y'all about our 40 day fast that we are doing in the ward. It is where for 40 days, 40 families fast, each one day, and they all fast for missionary work! So its been pretty good so far. We have seen some good miracles. One of the biggest ones is VINCE COMING TO CHURCH!!! I was soo excited to see him. he said he would come and he did! He is really progressing well. We talked about church yesterday and he said that he really enjoyed it. A lot like his Lutheran church but he still liked it. He plans on coming to the ward activity on Friday. He already knows tons of people from all the members at his lessons. So its just a matter of him actually continuing to come to church. He bore a really nice testimony to us last night and Friday. he knows the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He didn't quite know about the why for the BOM so we explained it with 1 Nephi 13. Talking about the plain and precious truths lost. that's where we hit a little bump. he believes its the "infallible word of God." yet he sees hos the bible by itself yields confusion. so we explained the need for more scripture and the Love God has for us in giving us those plain and precious truths back. Good ending. he still wants us back so it works.
I'm really loving this ward a whole bunch. they all have such a strong desire to share the gospel its just a matter of getting the opportunity. So we ate with the Hobdys last night. That's the family that dropped by with the DVD. and we taught sister Hobdy how to further a conversation about the church. Instead of just saying that we don't drink coffee because its against my religion/faith. ask them a question back. "why do you think i don't drink coffee?" "did you know its a commandment from God?" "did you know we have a prophet on the earth to give us these commandments?" That will teach them as well as open up more for them to learn about. She really liked the idea. Its a big thing for members to step out of their comfort zones and talk but IT WORKS. DO IT!!!
We actually go to businesses now and talk to people. But its your going fishing, go where the fish are right? So we do. We meet some really good people there. One lady at a dry cleaners we are following up with on Thursday. perhaps we can get free dry cleaning. i need it badly.
Trunky thoughts: (trunky means looking forward to home, i cant wait to get home or "things I will do when I got home" thoughts) come April Conference, we take our suit coats off unless we are at meetings. I don't put my coat back on. I leave for the mission home like 2 days after the October Conference so that is kinda good news. I don't like the coat, but I don't like the idea of my 5th and final Conference. :( sad day..anyways
Nick and Nate! I hope y'all enjoyed my letter. Not meaning to brag about my members there Nate. Keep your head up! The Lord is on your side. "When your on the Lord's errand your entitled to the Lord's help!" I wish I could help you but VA needs me.
Nothing really new happening. Just living life. Oh I was finally sick on Sunday so we stayed in and got some members to bring by a TV/VCR combo. we watched all the old cheesy movies by the church. it was awesome. I love them.
Take care y'all
Elder Malone

Hit and Run!

I'm excited for taylors baptism. the first one in this ward in almost a year. so the ward it excited. the guy who baptized her mom (in 1991) will be the one to baptize her. his name is brother lee. Then one of the Bishopric will be confirming her. At least we get to stand in. Im really glad. its different having us do all the teahcing and then the ward takes care of the baptism. Its almost like we are pushed off to the side. But I know its not intentional. Thats the way its supposed to be too. Im glad that the ward its getting involved with her baptism. While Taylor and her mom are getting things together, they have been having missionary experiences. They have two families coming to the baptism that we can teach. im really excited. imagine a family of 5! especially with recent converts as their fellow shippers! Its guaranteed to be solid.
I got hit by a car on Friday evening. I was crossing through an intersection and Elder Lagace was a little bit behind me. of course there are no bike lanes or even a shoulder in VA, so I was riding the white line. then a white jeep comes up behind me and side-swipes me. It knocked me off balance but luckily not off my bike. I wasn't sure what had happened until i felt my arm hurt so I pulled over and sat there watching the jeep just drive away. I pulled out the phone and called the police. I felt really bad though. I had no ID on the guy or car. Just the fact that he ran and i got hit was all. Luckily there were two cars full of witnesses. who stopped and checked up on us. then they gave the cop their information. It was a blessing. my arm feels fine now, no harm done. other than me always wanting to ride on the sidewalks now. can you blame me though?
We have not been successful in contacting Sherri or the Wheatleys lately. It makes me sad that we have to struggle to get a hold of them let along get a lesson with them. Its like with Lewis. Great guy, strong desire to learn, but just wont give up their time to learn more. They know they need to prioritize but they just don't. I hope and pray that none of y'all are doing that. its a bad bad trap to get into. We are hoping to get them seeing enough to change but its not too good looking right now.
Vince is not getting baptized on the 28th but he is still doing well. more later Love to all,
Elder Malone