This past week was kinda meh. Not great, but not bad.
Mario's definitely feeling the adversary's efforts to halt his baptism. It's just not in the form I thought it would be in. Here's the thing- he's totally ready for baptism. He just doesn't think he is. Moreover, he doesn't recognize any spiritual communication from Heavenly Father other than dreams and visions. He told us about a pretty funky one where Jesus was weighing people to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, and Bill Clinton was there and made it in. He just needs some help realizing that he is totally ready to take this next step. We're still going forward with his date, but he may want it moved back a week or two because he missed this Sunday. Prayers for him and for us to know how to help him would be appreciated.
There's a less active we're working with, and who I love working with. She's a younger Dominican grandma named Ana, and she's just a hoot. It's like a kid in an older body. The way she understands things and perceives the world is childlike (at times childish, but that's okay). She's actually hilarious sometimes without meaning to be. It's just the things she says and the way she says them. Ana hasn't come to church in over five years, and we're starting to make some headway with her. We got her to come to Noche de Amistad, the weekly branch social party, a couple weeks ago, and that was a huge progress. We've noticed a couple things that help her make progress: 1. Bringing members. Members are the key, and she feels so much more motivated to come to church and church functions when a member is inviting and expecting her. 2. Quiz her about doctrinal stuff. Not deep doctrine- so no Kolob or exaltation or anything like that, but more like the sacrament, tithing, temples, etc. It always sparks some questions, and she always says "I want to know everything!" Ana also cooks really good food, including homemade plantain chips. When we went over this week we learned how to play dominoes the Dominican/Puerto Rican way. Mexican Train uses the 15x15 setup, but Dominican Dominoes use only up to 6x6. It's pretty much the same, though. I am glad to say that the Hicken Domino scene trained me well enough to win all but three of the ~12 hands we played. There's another guy who lives in the same house named Jimmy. He was baptized, but not confirmed (where have I heard that before?). He also has a drinking problem. Again, though, super hilarious. He works across the street from our apartment, too, so we see him all over the place. We've been working with them for a while,
and they've been making slow but steady progress. I love working with the two of them, though.
I had an interview with President Reynolds the day before yesterday. It was great! I received some powerful revelation, and President is happy with my work and progress. I also asked him a question that's been floating around in my head for a while. I'd like to pose this question to you all and see what you think. We pray to Heavenly Father, right? I've grown up thinking that it's Heavenly Father who answers our prayers, but then I read the Doctrine and Covenants, where it's all answers to Joseph Smith's prayers, but answers given by Jesus Christ. Who answers our prayers, then, Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ? Now, to me it really doesn't matter which, and it would make sense for both or either of them to answer, but I'm just super curious as to who it is who answers my prayers, because I have received some very powerful, vivid, and direct answers to prayers, especially in the Temple, and I wonder which it was who was talking to me. What do you all think?
Sounds like you all have been busy, and are going to be even busier still! You'll have to say hi to all the relatives coming up over Father's Day. And yeah, I was a pretty darn adorable little kid, wasn't I? Next week I have my third anniversary temple trip, which means I only have six more months left in the mission. And I know it's going to just blow by- I might as well start packing my bags now! I realized that I have 27 P days left on my mission. Can anyone say weird?
Anyway, that's about it on my end.
Love you all,
Elder R Brandt Hull
Mario's definitely feeling the adversary's efforts to halt his baptism. It's just not in the form I thought it would be in. Here's the thing- he's totally ready for baptism. He just doesn't think he is. Moreover, he doesn't recognize any spiritual communication from Heavenly Father other than dreams and visions. He told us about a pretty funky one where Jesus was weighing people to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, and Bill Clinton was there and made it in. He just needs some help realizing that he is totally ready to take this next step. We're still going forward with his date, but he may want it moved back a week or two because he missed this Sunday. Prayers for him and for us to know how to help him would be appreciated.
There's a less active we're working with, and who I love working with. She's a younger Dominican grandma named Ana, and she's just a hoot. It's like a kid in an older body. The way she understands things and perceives the world is childlike (at times childish, but that's okay). She's actually hilarious sometimes without meaning to be. It's just the things she says and the way she says them. Ana hasn't come to church in over five years, and we're starting to make some headway with her. We got her to come to Noche de Amistad, the weekly branch social party, a couple weeks ago, and that was a huge progress. We've noticed a couple things that help her make progress: 1. Bringing members. Members are the key, and she feels so much more motivated to come to church and church functions when a member is inviting and expecting her. 2. Quiz her about doctrinal stuff. Not deep doctrine- so no Kolob or exaltation or anything like that, but more like the sacrament, tithing, temples, etc. It always sparks some questions, and she always says "I want to know everything!" Ana also cooks really good food, including homemade plantain chips. When we went over this week we learned how to play dominoes the Dominican/Puerto Rican way. Mexican Train uses the 15x15 setup, but Dominican Dominoes use only up to 6x6. It's pretty much the same, though. I am glad to say that the Hicken Domino scene trained me well enough to win all but three of the ~12 hands we played. There's another guy who lives in the same house named Jimmy. He was baptized, but not confirmed (where have I heard that before?). He also has a drinking problem. Again, though, super hilarious. He works across the street from our apartment, too, so we see him all over the place. We've been working with them for a while,
and they've been making slow but steady progress. I love working with the two of them, though.
I had an interview with President Reynolds the day before yesterday. It was great! I received some powerful revelation, and President is happy with my work and progress. I also asked him a question that's been floating around in my head for a while. I'd like to pose this question to you all and see what you think. We pray to Heavenly Father, right? I've grown up thinking that it's Heavenly Father who answers our prayers, but then I read the Doctrine and Covenants, where it's all answers to Joseph Smith's prayers, but answers given by Jesus Christ. Who answers our prayers, then, Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ? Now, to me it really doesn't matter which, and it would make sense for both or either of them to answer, but I'm just super curious as to who it is who answers my prayers, because I have received some very powerful, vivid, and direct answers to prayers, especially in the Temple, and I wonder which it was who was talking to me. What do you all think?
Sounds like you all have been busy, and are going to be even busier still! You'll have to say hi to all the relatives coming up over Father's Day. And yeah, I was a pretty darn adorable little kid, wasn't I? Next week I have my third anniversary temple trip, which means I only have six more months left in the mission. And I know it's going to just blow by- I might as well start packing my bags now! I realized that I have 27 P days left on my mission. Can anyone say weird?
Anyway, that's about it on my end.
Love you all,
Elder R Brandt Hull