It's been.... a week.

Alright friends, family, and countrymen.  It's been.... a week.  You know in Lord of the Rings, those scenes where Frodo and Sam are just trudging through the wilderness, and nothing is happening? You don't fast forward, (after all, this is LOTR we're talking about) but you are basically just watching so you can get to the next real scene, like a battle or something?  that was most of this week.  Walking through the rain, and no one would talk to us.  I'm not trying to complain here, this is just fact.  I wish I had a billion times more missionary work to report on this week, and I could fill you in on all these solid investigators and share miracles and stuff, but there just wasn't much this week, besides fruitless finding, and appointments falling through. 

Transfer calls were Saturday night and I am staying in Lacey.   :)  (Same address for the next 6 weeks! send me letters!)  and Elder W is staying too.  Elder H is going to be an office elder (it's hilarious, you just have to know him to get it, but you can just trust me) and Elder K is going off to ... I don't remember, but it's very far away.  I'm so sad about Elder K, so so so sad.  So is he.  He is way bummed about his next companion and area, and doesn't want to leave, he likes this zone a lot.  He's got like 8 or 9 more months left though, so i'll hopefully be in his area again one day, and worst case scenario I'll still see him on transfer meetings once every 6 weeks. 

Elder W on the other hand dies (his 2 years are up and he goes home) this transfer, I'm really happy I get to kill him (send him off). 

So, an elder out here in the WATAC did something pretty dumb this transfer, maybe I'll write about it in a letter,  but probably not, and will either be getting sent home, or to an entirely new mission (he finds out today)  and I think its because of that we have an odd number of missionaries out here.  So, one companionship will be stuck with a threesome.  One in the whole mission.  guess who?

Yep, so this next transfer it will be Me, W, and then D. 

I learned soooo much this transfer, I can already see a lot of improvement in myself.  Unfortunately, we got zero'd out. (that's a whole transfer without a baptism)  W wants to make his last transfer count, so we have a goal for 3 baptisms for this next transfer.  and to achieve that goal, we are just gonna work very hard, and have faith.  I've been thinking about Elder C, and missionary who went home a few transfers ago.  he baptized over 100 people on his mission, which is awesome, but the funny part is he wasn't even a very good missionary (both in terms of "skill" and obedience)  but what he did have was tons of faith.  Ask any missionary who has been out here for over a year and they'll tell you how important that is.  So i'm going to work on my faith this transfer, and I know that through faith AND obedience (not everyone is gonna be as lucky as Elder C without obedience haha)  I'll see miracles this transfer, and help people enter the waters of baptism.  mmm.

Let's see... I taught the Gospel Essentials class again yesterday.  I really like teaching the class, I think it's super good practice for me.  Due to a lack of solid investigators, we haven't been teaching many legit lessons, so on Sunday I get to practice :) 

On Friday, we did a training with the members in our ward about missionary work.  W and I did the training on overcoming your fears of sharing the gospel with your friends.  I think it was pretty helpful and successful, but since none of you were there,   you are all just gonna have to do it on your own!  Something I'm learning out here is sharing the gospel doesn't have to be pushy or awkward or weird or scary.  the full time missionaries are out there knocking on the doors of strangers so you don't have to, you can just talk with your friends!  How cool is that!  Gospel discussions can be way more casual than most members think.  Here is the trick: have the gospel on your mind, and be looking for ways to talk about it.  easiest way?  when talking about your weekends, say you went to church!  telling a friend that when you go to church, you feel happier is sharing a simple testimony!  when you share testimony, the spirit is invited.  and the spirit is what touches people. 

Last but not least, just be looking out for those who need it.  Remember that Jesus always stopped for the One.

Member referrals (I think) get baptized about 1/6.  Let me tell you, the ratio for knocking doors is a LOT less. 

Anyways, I love you all back home, and I love getting letters! please write me :)  Mail you get early on in your mission is called greeny mail, and everyone knows it stops pretty fast. I need you guys to help make me the exception to the rule!!!   haha, again, i really do love you!

Elder Chase Lonas