November 23, 2015

Dear Parents,

 

We got snow!  We were expecting about 4 inches but got closer to a foot.  We spent a lot of time at our apartment that day.  The cars were all grounded in our zone and we were not at all prepared for that much snow.  I did get a better pair of winter boots.  They are comfy.  We have another storm expected this week but it shouldn't be as bad.

Our truck is just a little Chevy Colorado.  I'll try to remember to get a pic with it.  We did get to use the four wheel drive this week.  I rather like snow driving.

We contacted a couple on the street a little while ago.  They gave us an address and said to try them in the evenings.  We found the house and it was the creepiest place I have ever approached.  The yard was full of leafless trees and the house itself was almost entirely unlit except for a faint orange light.  A bizarre cat would follow us at a distance up the walk and just watch us.  We knocked it a number of times but no one answered.  I knocked once and a split second later the door slowly opened of its own accord and we quickly hustled back to our car.  A couple days ago we tried back and got an answer.  This elderly lady with a manic look in her eye shuffled up.  In a creaky old voice: "Why are you here?"

"We're missionaries for our church-"

"Why are you here?"

"We're looking for Gary."

"Nope, why are you here?"

"Can we share a message wi-"

She literally scratched at the door with crazy long nails and told us "Go away!"

I hope she didn't put some sort of curse on us.

We had that Mission tour this week.  Elder and Sister Martino came and spoke to us.  They focused a lot on how to help the members to move the work forward.  What missionaries really want from members isn't food, we want help finding people to teach and involvement in teaching those we have already found.  It is amazing how a truly converted member seems to find themselves involved in every aspect of the work.  Always remember that our greatest duty is to preach the Gospel.  The easiest way to do that is to go to the missionaries and ask if there is a need.  Besides team-ups and fellow shipping be on the lookout for missionary opportunities.  When they come up say a silent prayer for help and then try to invite the Spirit and them to act.  If we are prepared our mouths will be filled and we can know what to say.

 

Love you,

Elder Stapley