Hello Fam,

its been an interesting week.

We had Nalani and Jacob Taylor come to a temple grounds tour. I wish I took a picture of the front of the temple. IT was cold outside and wasn't very well planned out so we didn't get a chance. Nalani needs to get baptized. She is so great. Her family is Buddhist. She is from the Phillipines. She also loves to crochet, which was no coincidence because before we knew that we went to a free crochet class at the public library two days before. So our plan now is to try to get some of the relief society there as well as Nalani where they can become well acquainted. Also it is a great missionary opportunity. The teacher of the class is named Laurie and is Jewish. 

Also, Jacob gave such a powerful talk on Sunday in sacrament meeting. He is about 24 years old. It was general authority good. He is a chemist. Very bright person. Part asian. Very humble and kind personality. I hope that Nalani felt the power of the spirit in his talk. She made it to sacrament which is good. 

Also we had a new investigator come to sacrament this week! Her name is Robyn. She is a former investigator, a referral of Brother York Bennett. She has a very sensitive personality, very kind. We had a few lessons with her and her son, Anthony. There is a little bit of tension between the two during the lesson. We were primarily there to teach Anthony since Robyn is desperate to help him get his life on track, but what has ended up happening is that she has gained more interest than Anthony. 

Robyn found it really fascinating that we live in the promised land. She also was intrigued that she could do baptisms for the dead for her grandfather. During the course of the lesson she apologized to Brother Bennett for misunderstanding our religion. 

When she came to church on Sunday she came in a little late, but the talks were wonderful which is always a relief. She left after gospel principles because she has a brain injury, and also she broke down in tears after the lesson that we taught about Prophets of God. There is a lot going on in her life right now. She used to be catholic and a choir music director (which is quite impressive for that church). But she had some bad experience there which caused her to not like the church anymore. She also realizes that the Catholic church took books out of the bible, which she found very interesting to her that it mentions that in the Book of Mormon. 

She is a work in progress. Hopefully we can get things rolling with her. I have thought that using music would be a great way to build a better relationship with her and help her recognize the spirit. 

well, it appears that I have to end earlier than expected. One of the missionaries in our district is going home early and so we have to drive him to the airport. Also, my companion this past week has had an MRI on his shoulder and will hear back results from Salt Lake at the end of this week. He may or may not have to leave his mission early, too for surgery. We will see. Pray for the best to happen to him. 

I'll close with a brief testimony. I know that Jesus is Christ, he is the Son of God and has the power to deliever us from death, from sorrow, and from sin. Joseph Smith is for sure a prophet of God, and The Book of Mormon is undeniably the word of God and is a marvel and a wonder to me. 

Love you all,

Elder Soutas