Friends & Family,
Missionaries often have unique ways of entertaining themselves. One such way for our area is occasionally playing a game called "Sandman". This game involves a playground, and 1 person who is "it". As that person steps onto the playground, he must close his eyes and attempt to tag someone else. If anyone is on the ground as the Tagger says "Sandman", they then become "it". This game is
Harry has passed his interview!! He is on date for Baptism on Dec. 21st. It is my opinion that he will likely need 2 people to baptise him (because of his age), so we won't have to fight over that. His testimony is continuously growing, and he truly understands how faith works.
In his own words
"I don't know everything, but I know I need to go forward with faith, and so baptism is the way"On a side note, taking the new Elders (incoming missionaries) temporarily was a very fun experience! It was very interesting to talk about their perspectives coming directly from the MTC. To them, I seemed like an old missionary. "You've been out here for 5 months already??" they would say. It feels as though I just got here. We took them to an ASL home visit that we had scheduled. It was very funny to watch their reactions as they realized that their first lesson in the field would be one in which they don't know the language. It went quite well though!
With all the new Elders in the zone, we have many new questions about ASL. It seems that everyone is in a rush to learn Sign Language. Hopefully they can refer people to us.
My Mother was extraordinarily nice and sent me 6 Christmas packages. Each package was ornately filled with individually wrapped presents that I open each day leading up to Christmas. My Mom then informed me that some gifts are actually for me to give rather than to accept myself. I always enjoy the creative ways my mom has found to serve those around her, and I will admit I am very spoiled from her. (That is my job as the youngest child)
I recently got my hands on a copy of "The articles of Faith" by James Talmage. If there is any scriptorian's out there, or anyone interested in the basic beliefs of the church, this is a fantastic approach that is both easy to understand, yet rich in depth.
I recently got my hands on a copy of "The articles of Faith" by James Talmage. If there is any scriptorian's out there, or anyone interested in the basic beliefs of the church, this is a fantastic approach that is both easy to understand, yet rich in depth.
"9. Man's inborn consciousness tells him of his ownexistence; his ordinary powers of observation prove the
existence of others of his kind, and of uncounted orders of
organized beings; from this he concludes that something
must have existed always, for had there been a time of no
existence, a period of nothingness, existence could never
have begun, for from nothing, nothing can be derived. The
eternal existence of something then, is a fact beyond dispute ;
and the only question requiring answer is, what is that
eternal something; that existence which is without begin
ning and without end? The skeptic may answer, "Nature;
matter has always existed, and the universe is but a mani
festation of matter organized by forces operating upon it;
however, Nature is not God." But matter is neither vital
nor active, nor is force intelligent ; yet vitality and ceaseless
activity are characteristic of created things, and the effects of
intelligence are universally present. True, nature is not
God ; and to mistake the one for the other is to call the edifice the architect, the fabric the designer, the marble ■ the sculp
tor, and the thing the power that made it. The system of
nature is the manifestation of that order which argues a
directing intelligence ; and that intelligence is of an eternal
character, coeval with existence itself. Nature herself is a
declaration of a superior Being, whose will and purpose
she portrays in all her varied aspects. Beyond and above
nature, stands nature's God." (Articles of Faith, Lecture ii)
I would share the entire book, but typing isn't as fun as I thought.
Anyway, onto the invitation!!
1. If you haven't watched "The Christ Child", Please do so ASAP. It is a wonderful video that really brings the spirit into any situation.
2. Sign up for "Light the World"
3. Keep reading the scriptures!!! (Muy Importante)
Thanks for all the emails and also for the (many) (Many) packages!!
-Elder Vance
existence of others of his kind, and of uncounted orders of
organized beings; from this he concludes that something
must have existed always, for had there been a time of no
existence, a period of nothingness, existence could never
have begun, for from nothing, nothing can be derived. The
eternal existence of something then, is a fact beyond dispute ;
and the only question requiring answer is, what is that
eternal something; that existence which is without begin
ning and without end? The skeptic may answer, "Nature;
matter has always existed, and the universe is but a mani
festation of matter organized by forces operating upon it;
however, Nature is not God." But matter is neither vital
nor active, nor is force intelligent ; yet vitality and ceaseless
activity are characteristic of created things, and the effects of
intelligence are universally present. True, nature is not
God ; and to mistake the one for the other is to call the edifice the architect, the fabric the designer, the marble ■ the sculp
tor, and the thing the power that made it. The system of
nature is the manifestation of that order which argues a
directing intelligence ; and that intelligence is of an eternal
character, coeval with existence itself. Nature herself is a
declaration of a superior Being, whose will and purpose
she portrays in all her varied aspects. Beyond and above
nature, stands nature's God." (Articles of Faith, Lecture ii)
I would share the entire book, but typing isn't as fun as I thought.
Anyway, onto the invitation!!
1. If you haven't watched "The Christ Child", Please do so ASAP. It is a wonderful video that really brings the spirit into any situation.
2. Sign up for "Light the World"
3. Keep reading the scriptures!!! (Muy Importante)
Thanks for all the emails and also for the (many) (Many) packages!!
-Elder Vance