First off, sorry for the early/short email. Hopefully I'll get onto a more regular schedule eventually, but we've got Christmas this Monday, then New Years, then transfers, then P-day might change (still up in the air).
Not much has happened since Tuesday, except WE GOT OUR FIRST NEW INVESTIGATOR!! Brooke is in her 30's, has 3 children, and (without divulging too much info) is currently going through all the trials you can think of. Literally every tragic, life-shaking event that readily comes to your mind happened in the months of November and December. That's really hard for her, so we've been trying to help out as much as possible, but teaching her is honestly so rewarding. She has no religious background at all and literally knows nothing about Jesus Christ, God, or what the different religions teach. We taught the Plan of Salvation the first time we met and when we went back to visit, she said that she had read through the chapters we left, as well as the pamphlet, and she believes everything she read. After her father died this year, her brother had several dreams about the spirit world. She told us that she wants to share this with her brother because it is exactly how he described it, except he doesn't believe in a God. She also is really eager to start teaching her kids about religion, but in her words "I don't know what to teach them yet, because I'm still learning. So you have to treat me like one of your Primary kids." So for Christmas, we bought her the illustrated old testament, new testament, and book of mormon storybooks. Hopefully it will help her and her kids gain a better foundation for everything.
Elder Sim and I just got back from giving a blessing to Sister Vicencio. She's an 86 year old lady from the Philippines. When she talks to us, every sentence is prefaced by "ELLDAAAIRS!" She is so funny and I already love her so much. She's in a lot of pain right now (her body is just shutting down), but she still has a REALLY good memory. Unfortunately, it's difficult for her to get ready for church every week because of the pain. She feels guilty because she hasn't missed a week of church since she joined in the 80's (pretty impressive). She wanted us to come by and give her a blessing specifically so that she can make it to sacrament meeting tomorrow. Her faith is an inspiration to me. She truly understands the importance of the sacrament in her life. She lives in a senior living community, so there is some assistance, but she has to shop on her own. This presents a problem because of the pain in her legs. So her next door neighbor (96) goes around with his walker and delivers her groceries every week, as well as making the rounds to all the other neighbors. I was amazed at the dedication he has to serving others. I hope that when I'm that old, I will have life figured out as well as he does.
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