April 22, 2013

 

 

I want to share an awesome experience that happened this week with a new friend of ours. His brother is a member of the church and he has expressed interest in learning more and getting help in his life through a belief in Christ. He wants to strengthen his family and we responded to his concern with a promise that those precious relationships can be saved. 

For some reason or another, I had decided not to take my study binder out of my backpack, and had it with me during the lesson. As I considered his needs and situation, the thought came to me to check my binder for The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Sure enough, there I found the copies you had sent me months before that had instantly become beyond priceless. I gave him a copy and we studied it together, paragraph by paragraph and term by term, studying, pondering and discussing until he could contain himself no longer. He broke into tears and firmly promised he would study it further and prepare to present it to his wife. We trained him on how to receive revelation regarding this modern day scripture and introduced the concept of testimony as something which he could assertively present as part of his plea for change and the salvation of his family. We are giving him a little time, but will follow up soon regarding his assignment. I believe that these words of modern day prophets will one day be regarded by him as the thing which changed his life. 

So, I was expecting to be staying in Monroe for the next transfer, simply with a new companion as part of the area split, but not so. The area will still be splitting, but there are other Elders coming in here. Elder Perkinson will stay, but I will be going to Kirkland. Remember how I mentioned the Costco Kirkland brand? Yup, that's the place. I was in the ward down there for just a little tiny while at the beginning of my mission before the Chennault Beach Branch formed, but I'll be going back down there now into a different area that is also included in the Lake Washington Ward. 

I'll be companions with my first trainer again! Elder Kimber! I was called to be a Zone Leader, which if you take a look at the mission map, basically means we're assigned as the mission leadership for one of those big outlined areas. There's tons of stuff that go into it, but we're assigned to act in all nearly all capacities as the mission president himself would if present. We teach the zone on a monthly basis, collect and organize all of the teaching and baptismal information for the zone, and take care of business. It should be a lot of fun. 

I'm sad to leave Elder Perkinson, but it'll be good stuff! Glad to hear that Ryan is doing so well, and that the business is thriving! I'll try to send snail mail if I can. Thanks for love and support!

Love,

Elder Talbot