I'm sorry, I'll be BOLD in this email!

This week has been fantastic! It has also been stressful, challenging, inspiring, scary, and refreshing, (pretty much the whole spectrum).
We have 21 investigators. In the Salem ward, we have Mike, Carly, Kaylee, Kelsey,(Family), Isaiah, Arianne, Cheyanna,(Family), David and Marilyn(Family), Margie, Marge, Clay, Kim, Latisha, Jake, and Alan. In the Singles branch we have Logan, Julia, Daniel, Josh, and Lillyanna. Each of these individuals have many strengths and understand differently, and 9 of them are progressing in the gospel. (Mike, Carly, Kaylee, Kelsey, Isaiah, Arianne, Cheyanna, Margie, and Logan).
I feel so blessed and humbled. "What great blessings has he bestowed upon us? I answer for you, that we have been made instruments in his hands to bring about this great work". (not word for word) I continue to understand what Ammon said, that he will not boast of his own power, but he will boast in the Power of his God. I hope that my life will merit this statement from Ammon. I too will not boast of my own power, but I am amazed at the blessing that have been given to our investigators. They have seen light and understanding come through their obedience and faith.
We have loved fulfilling our purpose in INVITING them to receive the restored gospel through HELPING them exercise faith unto repentance and showing their want to be a new creature through baptism, thereby receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, that they may live the rest of their lives as faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost and who make and keep covenants in the temple. Our vision has been raised, and so has theirs. We are working hard to that end. Not just to baptize, but to convert. We are just going about helping others live the gospel, inviting them to repent through obedience.
Elder Monibidor and I are getting along well enough, we have learned a lot from each other. I continue to learn from his example. Elder Monibidor was sick all week and still pushed through it. He was only down one day. WOW! Sacrament meeting was crazy, but the ward is so good to fellowship all 9 people that we had there this week. Every time we bring someone to church our biggest concern is fellowship. Will someone befriend them? Will they feel the spirit? I honestly believe it is hard for a non-member to feel the spirit unless they feel comfortable and have a friend to take the edge off of the fear and the unknown. It is hard work at times to hand pick and introduce members when nobody is saying hello but that's our position! We have the blessing of being the conservators of truth and the middle man for Christ. We do what it takes to get them feeling comfortable.

Monday: we were supposed to have a church tour with this guy named William, but it fell through, so I went to get a haircut. That cost me. I ran out of MSF "missionary support fund" so I had to use some from my debit card this week, but the thing is, I forgot my pin so I did it all on credit. MY BAD!!!! Mom, will you send me my pin again? :) Then that night we had Family home evening with the YSA's. Played Volleyball and had some non-members there. One was named Elias. ???? He looked like Jesus. He had a beard and these really sincere eyes. I think he is meant to be a member, Elias in the bible means "forerunner" so........

sidenote: Hey Dad, just try using both the blinker and the windshield wipers together all the time, a clean windshield is a happy windshield!

Tuesday: not much going on but we did have a lesson with Allison. (RC) Her husband is a non member and he is almost investigating but he's kind of just taste testing. Remember how I said not much going on? I lied, this night was packed. 3 lessons and a dinner in 5 hours. Logan was after Allison. Investigator, hasn't talked to us in weeks, and comes up to me in sacrament last week to say "Hey, we need to meet this week. I've been reading and praying and I like what I see." WOOHOO WAZOO!!! The lesson went well but it was short so we set another one for Thurs. Denhoffs for dinner. Then Josh martin, but he cancelled because his girlfriend was sick. (Personally I think his girlfriend's mom should be able to handle it but whatever)

Wednesday: A lot of tracting and contacting less actives, dinner at the Justesens, (Waffles :) ) Then we had Margie for a lesson and we read the book of mormon and ate dougnuts. She is still super scared about being baptized. "TIME KEEPS ON TICKIN, TICKIN, TICKIN, INO THE FUTURE>>>>"

Thursday: Transfers, more tracting and Bishop's less active and part member list, then at night Logan again. Very great lesson. We taught the plan of Salvation and he had questions on the true nature of God and the purpose of the Holy Ghost. He understood and we invited him to be baptized. In the middle of the invitation, Logan said "I've already been baptized", then Elder Monibidor added, "by the proper Priesthood authority" It was a standoff...... They stared at each other for 10.....15......20 seconds before Logan looked down and said "I'm not ready" Did you see the change in those answers? "Ive already been baptized" and "I'm not ready to be baptized" are two fundimentally different answers. The spirit was so strong in that silence and taught us all. Logan is preparing to be baptized and we were able to bare strong testimony that he can live the rest of his life as a member of Christ's church and go to the temple someday. AMAZING. Then we went to institute with him. Then to Kim's house to say hello and have a prayer, then home.

Friday: Crazy stuff. I don't have time to finish the week if I tell you about running down the middle of the Freeway in my suit so I'll save that one.. Sorry. We taught the Davis fam. Just moved in and want to be baptized (set for the 8th of September) We feel so blessed. If they were any more golden they wouldn't be human. It's almost not even fun. Where are the concerns? Where are the cigarettes? BRING IT ON!!! Nope, just a sincere family who are ready to receive. I'm totally kidding we are amazed and humbled at the opportunity to teach them. Also the Dennisons this night. Great lesson as well and progressing, no date yet. At one in the morning Elder Monibidor woke me up and asked for a blessing. He was hurting in the stomach.

Saturday:Elder Monibidor was sick. We still trained a district leader and met with Melinda Mills and went to a party with investigators at brother Thomas's house but this night was a sleepless one. I took Elder Monibidor to the hospital at about 10:30, pain had turned into uncontrollable vomiting and more pain. He just had the FLU bad but also some stomach spasms. Didn't get in till 2 am. Woohoo to the late night life!

Sunday: great day. Elder Monibidor stayed home so I went to 3 sacrament meetings and was able to see miracles. I hadn't eaten since the night before and barely slept, so after church I had some soup and exchanged back with my companion for the night. I rested a little and he rested a lot, until about 8 when I took key indicators and wrote in my journal.

Today: Elder Monibidor is doing better and we are rested up. We will probably stay in today because Elder Monibidor might still be contagious. I hope I don't get that flu please pray for me! 

Great week, out of time, Love you much. 

Elder Skyler Mark Andreasen

p.s. I choose Christ