Season 4 Episode 4: 24 hours with Heaven

Hello Friends & Family,

This week honestly hasn't been too eventful.

We had an exchange with our District leader this week. Elder Hallsted stayed in our area, while I left to do office work with Elder Heaven.

Let me just say, Office work was exceedingly hard. We were studying when we got called in to do "surprise office work". They tasked us with something I have never done before, eating leftover pumpkin pie. I don't know how Elder Heaven does this every day, he must be exhausted.
We also fixed a bike, so I guess we actually did do some work.

However, the best part of the exchange was using a bed that actually fit me. This world is not made for tall people. My regular bed is roughly the same height as me. I either have my head touching the Headboard, or my feet hanging off the edge. Typically I sleep diagonally so that I can fit. The office Elders are blessed to have Queen size beds, which was a welcome break from my norm.

This week we went to another Deaf event (Wednesday). It was a Deaf senior social event, which Elder Hallsted and I have had a bad history with those events. Luckily we didn't get kicked out, but rather invited into the discussion. The way we got in was quite genius on Elder Hallsted's part. He simply asked, "What is the sign for pineapple?" and we jumped right into the circle.
As we talked for a bit, we found out that one of the ladies there had been a co-creator for the ASL program at the MTC.

ASL is still a newer language for missionaries. The ASL work only started 40 years ago, and is still growing today!

Blanca was able to come to church this week, which was a very sweet experience. She came with her Father and Mother in-law. And (to my knowledge) they all enjoyed their time at the ASL branch. There was a member who was able to translate from english to spanish for the Mother, and Elder Hallsted and I were part time translators for Sunday School.
I will readily admit that I am nowhere near fluently using Sign language, but I know enough to get by.
As I Interpreted, I would often look over at the Actual Interpreter (Brother Egbert), who was taking a well deserved break. If I didn't know a sign, I would frantically look over to him and he would show me. There was one point in the lesson where the word "Substances" came up, as I looked over, he smiled and said, "You're on your own for this one!"
I had no idea what to do, and essentially halted the entire class. I was able to fingerspell the word, and catch up to the speaker, but not before many confused looks went towards me.

Blanca should be baptised on Dec. 14th. This should be the first ASL baptism in 3 years. If everything keeps progressing as it has been, it looks like we will be dressing up in white next month!

Other than that, it was a pretty common week. All good things though!!

Thanks for the Letters!
-Elder Vance