This week especially as been pretty good.
So, yesterday, the stake president was released. He was the stake president for
10 years, and a councilor for 2 more before that. Long time to spend in the stake
presidency. Anyway, guess who came to release him and call the next one! Elder Dallin
H. Oaks!!!!! It was great. I can't believe how friendly he was. Before the meeting,
he went out into the congregation and shook as many hands as he could, which I think
was most of the stake. What! And then, after conference, we (the missionaries) had
a special meeting with him. No one else was there except the Ohio Cincinnati Mission.
It was great. So he has a great sense of humor. To me, he has always been a little,
not humorless, but serious. Serious is the word I am looking for. But he was cracking
jokes and making us laugh. I was a little surprised. But anyway, in conference,
he called a little boy up onto the stage, and then took his jacket off and put it
on him. He explained that the mantle of a calling is AWLAYS too big, but God will
always help us to grow into it. It was really cool to see him be so involved with
the audience. He then talked about a personal experience where, as a general authority,
he learned a huge lesson from a lady in the congregation. I know that they are human,
but it still just amazes me when they talk about their learning experiences. But
anyway, conference was great. And then, earlier this week, Pres. Porter called me
and asked if I was any good at singing, and if any of the other sisters that came
out with me could sing. I gave him some names and then we hung up. Saturday, one
of the Assistants to the President (AP) called me and asked if I could sing at the
special fireside Elder Oaks was doing. Of course I said yes! I really felt privileged
to be asked to sing for and Apostle of God. Anyway, we went straight from conference
to another building and we practiced. We sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives. There
were about 20 of us in the choir. We were all specifically chosen. I am so honored
to have been able to do that. The arrangement was absolutely beautiful. And it felt
sooooo good to sing in a choir again. I really miss that here. I missed it at SUU.
But anyway, it was a really cool experience.
As far as the actual work in my area
goes, we have a couple of investigators. I have told you about most of them. But
I don't remember if I told you about Judy. Or maybe I did. I am going to pretend
I did. Anyway, we have had two lessons with her this week, and they were both really
powerful. If we can get her to keep her commitments, we are planning on her being
baptized on September 21! And check this out. So my companion and I have prayed,
and we feel like there will be six people baptized by October 17! That is between
now and the next transfer meeting. We have transfers on the 5th of September. So,
pray for me and my companion. We really feel like it's possible, but we need all
the help we can get.
Oh, this is really funny. I taught my
first drunk this week. hahahahahah Her name is Dorothy Shannon. She is really nice,
but also addicted to beer and cigarettes. She doesn't have a couch, and so she has
cot in her living room. We sat on either side of her and we talked about God and
church. She sounds like she has had some really cool experiences. She also said
God told her to Do Right! Which she recognizes as giving up those poisons. But she
just keeps them up. We are going back tonight, and hoping that she is sober, so
that we can teach her about the Word of Wisdom and how to feel the Holy Ghost. She
kissed us both on the cheek twice. It was really funny.
As far as the Tobias Family goes, we
are going to try and get the kids on date sometime this week. Their mom is totally
OK with us getting them baptized. She recognizes that they are old enough to choose
for themselves. We really like the Tobias. They are great people.
Well, I have run out of things to say.
I love you, and I know that the Gospel is true. Peace be with you. Talk soon.
Sister Worthen
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