Dear Mother and Father (and family and friends):
Things continue to go well here in Dearborn. To answer your questions, I'm not sure how to describe my new companion- he's kinda tall I guess. Not very fit or anything, so I'm kinda bugged that I don't get a companion who likes to run and be healthy and stuff, but oh well. He likes singing and eating out and thats about all I can say. Luckily we get along pretty well, though at times I have to take charge so that we say our prayers and do things right, but overall its good.
Honestly, I don't feel ready for senior companion or leadership or anything (haha of course people only out 3 months never are leadership), but at the same time I know I can't wait until I can be senior or leadership.
But yeah transfers were this week, so we also have two elders new to the ward. One of them is Elder Maxwell who Kyle and his family know!!! Him and his companion are both way cool, I'm excited to work with them.
One thing that I've noticed lately that is hard is the influence of families in people's lives. Of course a big focus of the church is families, and they are so important, but I've seen that family can either be the best force, or the most negative one in people's lives. I have seen far too many people held back from joining or learning more about the gospel because of their families. One older lady isn't willing to change because she wants to attend a catholic church with the rest of her family. One 17-year-old knows the BoM is true, but her mother is wary of us. So many are held back because of family, its very sad to see. The hardest yet is a 21-year-old girl named Darrenda we were teaching. She loved meeting with us, loved reading the Book of Mormon, wanted to come to church, and wanted to be baptized even! But one day she called and said she couldn't see us anymore. We went over one last time, and met her uncle. He was a stupid, arrogant, hard-hearted man who thought he knew everything and tried to say we worship Joseph Smith. We talked/argued with him a minute, and then had to leave. It was hard to say goodbye to Darrenda, I could see the hurt in her eyes. So, because of an opressive family member, she can't progress in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its tough.
But, it has made me see just how great a family I have. Its great to have a family and parents that care about you, and to be brought up in the gospel, and to care but not control you in everything. I'm truly grateful for it.
Fast sunday was great though, like 5 kids bore their testimonies, it was sweet. I haven't yet, but probably will next fast sunday. One thing that has been amazing and I've really noticed on my mission is that the Atonement truly can be used to change our natures. I've become so much better and more comfortable at talking to people, I even look forward to it sometimes now!! Its not always easy and I still have tons to improve on, but when we try our best and pray for help, our savior is there. Its amazing just how much I get from just tracting, sometimes just being able to know I'm working hard, and then getting to talk to even just one nice person, I feel God's love and am just happy to be a missionary! Its amazing to get home at night knowing you've put in a hard day's work for the Lord!!
Well, besides those hard situations above, things have been great! Elder VB said his goodbyes Monday, and so we saw a bunch of people. Elder Orton really has good ideas to help us work with the ward and our ward mission leader better, and I'm really excited for that. We stopped by some members last night, and learned a lot about muslims haha. We're going to try some arabic food here soon.
One funny story- we taught the Days with a member named Bro. Hayes. So, while Elder Orton prayed, he thanked 'bro hayes for his two cents' and sister day burst out laughing! She laughed for like 10 minutes it was hilarious!!!!
Susie is doing great as always, a funny story last time we taught her. We taught her around 8 at night, and when we left, we had locked ourselves out!! So, the Office Assistants had to come down and unlock us, so the members (the Allens) took us and Susie to Del Taco while we waited!! It was great.
We've actually talked to a lot of nice/interested people this week. My favorite was a crazy old guy named fritz who kept going off about how his phone didn't work and how he would 'raise hell' with the phone company haha! He was really funny and kept repeating himself like some old ramblers =
do. I actually hope we can teach him though, he was nice despite his craziness and frustrations.
other stuff:
BYU just keeps rocking, although they definitely need to win by more points=
haha. Tell cameron to get a stat sheet on max hall for me please? Oh and thats amazing Utah and Cottonwood keep winning too, I think this might just be c-wood's championship year.
The weather actually has been nice again, its been like in the 70s lately and yesterday it felt like summer again! I have been exercising, or at least doing my best to run 3 times a week, and then do push-ups, sit-ups, and curls the other three mornings. I need to do better, but i've been exhausted this week.
Thats great you got to see the cousins, and I will remember Grandma Lambert, I hope things turn out well.
I got the link letters, thanks they were great!!! I think I'll try and start writing my own special comment rather than you just compiling stuff. Oh and the BYU one was awesome!!! It was great to hear how everyone is. The only thing is I thought it was too long, maybe just have each person=
have less stuff in there. I'll try and write a personal thing for each of them and mail them to you (there isn't enough time on the email). Oh, and get some/one of my pictures in them if you can! Thanks so much they're amazing to read! Oh also see if you can get a hold of Marcus's family for the BYU one, I recently got a letter from him.
I'll be sending my memory card back soon, there aren't as many new pictures on it this time, but make sure you get them on the comp.
In regards to winter stuff, I would like: my BYU hoodie, my c-wood jogging pants, my sweat pants, and my long-sleeved black shirt I should have somewhere. I think I'll be buying some white thermals soon.
thanks for everything, love you all!
-Elder Lambert
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