November 18th letter

I feel like my mission is just flying by. This whole transfer is becoming a blur.

I'm learning an important lesson. While at college for the most part I did those things that I would want to do that would further my professional career or were part of Church callings or just social activities that I would want to do. I was stunned this morning when I read in John 21, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." I really was pretty selfish growing up, doing things that I wanted to do, following after my desires. Jesus pointed to the fish the apostles and asked, "Peter, lovest thou me more than these?" I can see him pointing to all the good things and desires in my life and asking me if I will set these aside for his will. It's difficult when the pain of unfulfilled desire weighs heavy, but the work must go on, "boldly, nobly and independent, till the purposes of God are accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." (The Standard of Truth) 

Today I met two Russian women in Winco and had solid conversations with them. I'm still kicking myself for not having a Russian Book of Mormon on me.

We got a text from an investigator that had dropped us maybe a month ago asking if we could come help her move. We came and discovered that she had been awake since midnight and had still much more to clean, organize, pack and move to a storage facility while she finds housing in Boise. We served her for half the working day and then a few more hours the next day. With the Spirit I was so motivated to enthusiastic service. She was moved to tears and she told us that she sleeps now with the Book of Mormon on her bedstand to remember us. We're going to teach her tomorrow at the Library.

Thomas is doing pretty well, he's back and willing to take lessons, this time with his foster family, at least two of his foster brothers and his foster parents. There is so much potential in that house for souls coming unto Christ. Annette the foster mother has deep wounds from a tragic accident leading to the death of her one year old baby. It's something I can't begin to comprehend but I know that the Savior can heal her wounded heart. Ron has read the Book of Mormon halfway and loves it, and so it's really become a matter of helping them ask God and really petition him for an answer to their prayers.

I may have told you about Jeff last week. His wife is not active but is a very good woman who just hasn't felt like she has a testimony. We gave the Message of the Restoration on friday and it was very successful. Halfway through the lesson the conversation shifted to how members' relationships with God are the most precious part of their lives. We asked him to say a prayer to God to ask if He is there and to ask Him that he might know Him. His prayer was very similar to the one that King Lamoni's father gave, "O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead." We hadn't taught repentance yet, but he had tears in his eyes when he came back. The Spirit in the room was strongly felt. His close friend bore powerful testimony of the Restoration and the truths that it restored.

I love how much the members support us! Literally whatever we need they're at our beck and call, or they'll find someone who is. Investigator needing help moving, Brother Whipple (who already is lending me his bike temporarily and had just participated in a miserable Rake Up Boise event in the snow) came with us for 2 hours and helped Connie move. Bro Crockett today drove us wherever we needed to go for P-day donating much of his time to us, he of course fit us into his day, but it was no small sacrifice how much he helped us. It's going to be difficult when I have to cook for myself again...

Again, it's going forward so quickly, the Spirit of this work is unbelievably powerful, it propels me forward in it. Spirituality grows when members help in missionary work, I love it! Read in the Book of Mormon every day, it and the words of Christ have the power to lead us from our sins to a "far better land of promise." (Alma 37:45).

I love and pray for you, take care, stay true and be happy!

Elder Szendre