Season 3 Episode 5: Flirt to Convert

Hello Friends and Family!!

Yet another week has passed. It is that time of the week to be flooded by emails from missionaries.
As per usual, I will share 2-3 stories and then a spiritual thought. Lets get started...

Elder Hallsted and I went on an exchange with our APs (assistant to the President) this week.

Elder Heilbut taught us of "The power-pose". To execute accurately, one must hold either the Book of Mormon, or the Bible with 3 fingers in front of the book. Your fingers should underline the title, or "another testament of Jesus Christ". As you discuss either book, you extend your arms outward either toward those you are talking to, or off to the side (to draw attention to the book).
Let me just say, The power Pose works excellently! 

Elder Bowen (of the seventy) came to our mission, at the same time President Hammon volunteered (I think) our apartment for inspection. Both President Hammon and Elder Bowen walked through our apartment, and even though nothing was wrong, I was still scared that they might find my Space Cat blanket or something strange I had. After we had passed, I found out that Elder Bowen lives on the same street as me from my Home in Utah! There are a large number of General Authorities that live near me.

This past Saturday we went to Tyler Mall, to see if we could find Deaf people. (Saturday is designated as Deaf Day).  When we got to the food court there was a large circle of people using ASL. I was very excited and almost ran to them, I sat down and began conversing with them. After a couple of minutes I was a little disappointed to find out that all of them were not deaf, but actually students in ASL It who were required to go to Deaf Events. Regardless, I wanted to get to know them and see why they wanted to learn ASL. For some reason, when people see Missionaries, they either think we are really young (15-17) or quite old (25-30). I asked them if they had a set number of hours they needed to practice ASL a week.  I then suggested another amazing Deaf event the following day. This Deaf event started at 11:30 and lasted 2 hours, and just happened to be our sacrament meeting. 

After that we had a few girls ask us for our Snapchats. They for some reason wouldn't take a Book of Mormon instead... strange

Spiritual thought:
After we are baptized (with proper Priesthood Authority) we can receive the Holy Ghost. Jesus taught, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:6). Other references of this "second Birth" mentions the "baptism of fire", meaning the cleansing of the spirit.
The Holy Ghost is given to us for a few reasons:
1.Cleanse us
2.Comfort us
3.Guide us
Or as my wise mother put it
CTR: Comfort, Teach, Reveal
The spirit is not something we should occasionally use, or some innate ability we should "tap into". After Baptism, we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, to ALWAYS be with us. If we live worthily, we will be protected from danger, and comforted in our darkest hours. Tell me that isn't something you want.

I would encourage everyone to truly study and ponder the Sacrament prayers, and why it is so important to have the Holy Spirit to be with us.

Thank Y'all for the love and support!!
-Elder Vance