May 19th 2010

Hey,

Well it has been another good week in Hampton. We have had some good and bad things happen. I guess I will start with the good. We have continued to see small little miracles where it is evident the lord has placed us in a spot where he needed us at that moment. On friday, we picked out some part member familes to go and see. And so far it hadnt been a super good day. Nobody had really been home and it just seemed like it we were as successful as some days. So we were going to see this part member family that we had picked out the night before, and we went to the street that she was supposed to be on. And we went up and down the street but her address didnt exist. So we decided that we were here, and that we should do some finding around this area. I even said maybe this is a divine place for us to be. I was just joking. Well, the second door we knocked on we found this girl named nichole. She is a very nice girl and she was very receptive. We taught her the Restoration and she liked everything we taught. Then after our lesson we were jsut talking and as we were talking she told us that the night before she could not sleep because she was uncomfortable with where she was in life and she didnt really know what to do. And then the next day we showed up. :) She was so grateful that we came by, and on Monday we taught her the Plan of Salvation and she liked all of that as well. She has read the first 8 chapters of the Book of Mormon, too, and right now she believes it could be true. But she has been prepared, and the Lord lead us right to her. Our next lesson with her is on Friday. Then that night, we were riding home, and a less active stopped us on the side of the road. He told us he wants us to come over, and have lessons with his family. So we went over there and taught them the Restoration. It was a good lesson, and we rescheduled with them to go over there again on Sunday, so hopefully then we can talk to them about church and see if they want to come back, and resolve whatever concerns they may have. But it was another little experience where the Lord put us right where he needed us at the time. We didnt do anything. That family's name is the Whistlers. Sister Keaton, Bianca 's mom, is a great lady. We got to meet her on Thursday and she talks alot. We werent actually able to have dinner with them though, or a lesson. On the day we were supposed to go over for dinner, her kids got sick, and it was some 48 hr parasite that is super contagious, basically a perfect ploy by satan to keep us away. But thats ok because when we went over there we got to meet and talk to Sis keaton alot, and become friends with her, and we also got to reschedule for this Friday. And on Thursday she did make us dinner though to take home with us, because she felt bad we couldnt come over, so that was nice of her. And it was good food.
And also Victor, he is not doing so well. On Saturday we had a lesson scheduled with him but he called us and told us that he couldnt meet with us that day or the next week. He told us that his neighbor "shared some scriptures" with him and now he wants to try his neighbors church before ours. I was not happy at all. So we gave him a couple days and then on Monday we went over there. I asked him if his neighbor told him he should not visit with us and he said no, that he still wants to meet with us but he is too busy right now. So its not quite as bad as I thought at first, but its not going the way it was initially. I really dont think he is too busy to meet with us, especially because his he is without a car right now, but I will keep my hopes and faith up.
So thats the update on Hampton. We have still been eating out at the Baptist churches, and its continued to be delicious. Yesterday was definitely the most awkward one, the farthest out of my comfort zone. So yesterday we went to this baptist church. and it was the same as before, we just felt awkward, its like being on enemy territory, except they just look at you. And so we were still outside and we were wondering if we should even go inside, A because it is awkward and B because the lunches are more for poorer people anyway. Well finally this guy walked outside and said to us go in there and eat, dont be shy. So we followed his advice and we went in. And then the leader came over to talk to us and he asked, are you guys here for food? and I just kind of hesitated and then said yeah, and I didnt say anything else because honestly there wasnt any other reason that we were there. But then he said ok and told us where to go. And it was delicious, and then once they saw we were just there to eat and not convert them all they started talking to us and they were very nice to us and one lady even told us that she admires us so much because of the work we do and she said that there is a godliness to us that she see in us. It was a very nice compliment and made us happy. I thought to myself thats called the Holy Ghost. And as usual I was really glad we went.
But unfortunately those lunches are not served over the Summer, so that was our last meal from the baptists. So I am not sure what we will do in the future, probably eat out or pack a lunch. Well figure it out.

Thank you very much for the package. It has been great. I really enjoy the snacks and I liked the program from Stake Conference. I enjoyed seeing that. And thank you for your prayers because I believe they are working. Keep them up.

Love
Elder Larson