May 26, 2013

Dear Family,

This last week has been really amazing. We saw some miracles and just had a great time. A few days ago we had a zone conference and I really think the things they taught us will help us in our missionary work. One thing they suggested we might do is to spread the gospel through homework. Basically the idea is you leave someone with a small assignment and a place to read in the scriptures and teach them how they can find answers to their questions. Sometimes we ask people if they will do things that they might not know how to do. So we need to focus more on teaching them how they can keep their commitments. I felt like the training was good and was definately something that our investigators need.

While we have been finding we had a couple of cool experiences. We met this one man from Sri Lanka who was super nice and opened up to us immediately. After we shared our message with him he said he was super curious and wants to know more. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he promised that he would read it. We also met a guy from the U.S. who is an atheist. He has met the missionaries so many times but said that everyone told him he was wrong and just tried to force the gospel on him. He was super nice and respects religion. He started asking us questions about our beliefs and because our approach was that we invite people to learn and not force them to believe he decided to listen. It was interesting because it was more like discussing something with a friend rather than teaching a lesson. After talking with him for a bit he said that he wants to meet and talk some more even though he isn't interested in joining. So hopefully we'll be able to meet again and see how things go from there. Its funny we don't run into people to often that are from a different country. That is just a couple of things that happened this week.

I'm still keeping a journal and making sure it is more detailed. This last week we have been very blessed by the Lord in seeing miracles and people change. The work is progressing and just keeps getting more fun as time goes on. I love you all and am grateful for your prayers and support.

Love, Elder Joseph Gandy