Oct 24- 31

If only an email was adequate to share with you a portion of the things we have experienced this week. You could say that it has been a roller coaster. Just in case you have forgotten I love roller coasters! I will try and share a few of the loops.

Saturday afternoon we went to teach Lorna to finalize all of the plans for her baptism scheduled on the 29^th of October. Immediately we notice something is wrong and as we sit down she starts tearing up and telling us that she cannot not be baptized. Devastated, we evaluated the situation and said a prayer. After the prayer, Heavenly Father opened our scriptures and guided us to several versus that addressed every one of her concerns. Satan had gotten into her head and convinced her that although she knows the church is true she just won’t be able to be baptized, circumstances made it impossible. From this experience I learned how Satan will take something so small and turn it into a mountain. The one thing that I am so grateful for is that Lorna has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and because she knew it was true she could not refute the words of 1 Nephi, 3 Nephi, Ether, and Alma. This was undoubtedly one of the most spirit filled lessons I have ever had and because of the power of the Book of Mormon Lorna will be baptized on Saturday!    

The next event is closely related. Because of Stake Conference Lorna’s baptism could not be announced in sacrament this week. Elder Eliason and I created a little invitation that we hand delivered to several members of the ward and then asked for referrals. One of the members we stopped by was President Burgon (of the mission presidency). He referred us to Barry Donaldson, Elder Donaldson’s inactive brother. Elder Donaldson is a 70 and before he got called was in the MTC presidency. He was the first person to interview me and I love him and his wife. They are both amazing. Anyways, again the power of the Book of Mormon filled the room as we read from Alma 32. Not only were we able to teach him but as well his wife who has not been baptized and his daughter + her friend both sat in on the lesson. After being very bold and direct with him we invited him to church and he accepted. Apparently he has not been to church in years. Just to make sure we seal the deal Elder Eliason and I will be going over to their house Sunday morning and making them breakfast. None of this would have happened had it not been for member efforts. I really feel that I have built stronger relations with more people in this ward than any other and that is because of this emphasis on member work.

The craziness continues though. First Chester Stake got a new stake president and so we had a visit from Elder Texeiera and Elder Wright of the 70. Wow, they were incredible and such amazing speakers. Barbara Lawson was not able to go to the Sunday session so we took her to the Saturday evening session and it was so good, even better than actual sake conference. I have decided that I will go to every Saturday night conference session I can. As I looked around the building I only saw the strongest of the members. Barbara loved it and we were able to introduce her to elder Wright and he was so intense with her. He got really close to her face bore testimony and said pay attention to the feelings of the spirit. It was great.

Sunday morning our ride for Nicky and Mathew fell through last minute and so for an hour we scrambled to find someone who could give them a lift all the way to Wrexham University, which is 30min drive away. Eventually we were able to get a man who has been struggling to say the least to pick her up. As we get to conference Nicky has a panic attack and decides she cannot go into the auditorium. Wow, stressful. She has a phobia of big crowed and it got too much for her. We did not understand what was going on and it was quite awkward. That’s what missions are all about though I guess. We went and saw her later that evening and she apologized and just said she had freak out moment. Her baptism has been postponed a week or two but we are continue to work with her and help her overcome her fears.

This week we have President Kopishke of the area 70 coming to visit the mission. We are going to have a zone conference with him as well as a special zone leader council meeting. It is going to be exciting. I look forward to telling you all about it.

All right family I hope you have a great time in Mexico.

Love, Richard

Ps. I just read the beginning of elder eliasons letter and he too said the week was a roller coaster with out even collaborating. Either that is some kind of unity or the week was just crazy.

PPS. Can someone please right to the Sayle family via facebook? I have been trying to get a letter out but it has proven difficult.

PPPS. Thanks again for the Costco card, were all going again today!

 PAIGE THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE PICTURES THEY ARE SO GOOD! THE BOYS ARE SO BIG AND EXTREAMLY CUTE. KEEP SENDING THEM :)