Hey Family!
So this week as been good, but slow. A lot (about half) of the appointments we had with our investigators canceled, which made it slow, but things are still going good.
Our investigators are doing alright. Bill Scott is hopefully going to be baptized this weekend, but we have had some problems gaining the trust of our Bishop. Bill is in a bad financial situation, and has asked the Bishop for help. The Bishop is concerned that Bills motivation to get baptized is so the church can help him out. I know that Bill has a testimony, and is one of the most sincere investigators that I have taught. It is hard for Bishop to see that because Bill isn't able to attend our ward on Sundays because he works. He goes to church, but just not our ward. So President Wade is going to interview Bill this week, and make the call. We know that Bill is ready, but we want the support of our Bishop as well. So whatever happens, happens, but i know that president Wade is inspired and will make the right choice.
This week, on the day after thanksgiving, our zone is performing in downtown Danville at the town square lighting. We have our own little booth, where we are going to be singing Christmas hymns, and set out a display table. It will be a good way for people to feel the spirit, and see missionaries in a non threatening way.
So a few weeks ago, I forgot to tell you about an amazing experience that I had! So, do remember me telling you about Jennie Giotta? She was one of the biggest miracle baptisms that I have seen on my mission. Me and Elder Malani taught her last December in Brentwood, and she got baptized in Jan. 2010. So, her family lives in Pleasant Hill, and the whole family came to her baptism. Her sister - Mary Beth - loved the baptism so much, that she wanted to start taking the missionary lessons. So we told her that there is a singles ward close to her home (the Walnut Creek 3rd ward - the singles ward that I'm covering right now). She said that she wanted to take the lessons from no one else, except me and Elder Malani. So, as we went through the new member lessons with Jennie (her sister) Mary Beth drove out to Brentwood from Pleasant Hill, and joined in the lessons. She loved what she was hearing. So the plan was to one day pass her off to the Walnut Creek 3rd ward Elders once she felt comfortable. Well, I left the area, and never really heard what happened. So when i got transferred here to the Walnut Creek 3rd ward, we stopped by Mary Beth's house. The bad news is - she wasn't there - she just left for college a few weeks ago, but the good news is that as we pulled up to the front door, guess who was there!? Jennie!!! She was visiting her parents. She saw us walking up to the house and her mouth dropped open. She ran up to me and said, Am I aloud to give you a hug? I said - sorry, I'm still a missionary! I was so excited to see her! We talked for a few seconds, then came the surprise. She said, let me show you my baby. She went back into the house and brought out her 3 week old baby! I was really surprised, and happy for her. When I left the area, her and her husband Nick weren't even planning on having a baby, so it was a surprise to everyone. It was just weird thinking how long I've been gone from Brentwood - my convert had a baby! We talked for a bit, and had a good visit. Hopefully this week we will be able to teach Mary Beth, because she is coming home for Thanksgiving.
Another crazy thing that happened was we had our monthly stake correlation with the stake president, his councilors, us and President Wade this week. My very first Bishop on my mission - Bishop Fosson in San Ramon, is part of the stake presidency! It was good to see him too.
So Family I love you! I hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving!
-Elder Cook
P.S. - I tried taking pictures of my shirts, but it didn't work. In the pictures it looks like nothing is wrong with them. The thing that is wrong with them is most of them have pretty gnarly pit stains (the California heat mixed with the way my pits sweat is bad news). All I need to hold me out is one long sleeved, and one or two short sleeved. If missionary mall wont send more for free, then I can just buy them here to save on the shipping cost. Let me know what you think - I'm in no hurry to get new ones.
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