Drive by shooting

18 March 2013

Dear Home,

BEN IS BACK! SO I hope that you remember the man that I have written so much about previously, Ben Ledesma. We haven't seen him in over 2 months now and as we were riding by we saw him outside his house and stopped by to talk with him. He was thrown back from the last conversation that we had about being baptized and that it would take awhile for him to get there but that it was possible. He had been thinking a lot about that and said he wasn't sure about the whole baptizing thing at that time because be was still involved with the drug life. He confessed everything to us and said in the end that he has missed the feelings that he had while meeting with us and misses going to church to feel the spirit. He wants to start up again and do what he can but can't give up parts of the job because that is the only way that he is able to provide for his family. He doesn't know what to do other than that he needs more of the Spirit in his life. I am so excited to be teaching him again! I have really learned how to love that man.

Up until my meeting with Ben I had been feeling very "out of the game" with talking with people and motivation to do things because I felt that the miracles I had been seeing before weren't being made present to me anymore. I couldn't see the Hand of God in the works around me and started to get a little down. I know God is working behind the curtain but, why does the curtain have to be so thick. Can't it be a little more transparent? I have found that my focus has changed from what it was before to what it is now and that is because I am training someone and the focus isn't for me to see the miracles but for my companion to witness them so he can be fired up to do more work and to see the fire in him should be all the witness I should need. Its tough but I will work through it.

As well as the weather... People down here are telling us that this is going to be the hottest summer yet. Worst than last year, which broke records. It should be in the 100's in another week or two and thats not even the worst part. Soon it won't even get below 100 at night. They say that for about 100 days or more straight it will be over 110 during the day and over 100 at night where the heat will just radiate up from the ground. Happy days. I can't wait for the trail of my faith :)

During the winter down here I think people are much nicer. I hadn't really had any problems with anyone and I haven't had to worry about people doing anything towards us either but now things are starting to change. The heat is getting to them. I got shot at by a drive by. One of the rounds grazed me and left a pretty bad mark. Luckily all that happened with my finger was swelling, it should heal soon. What was hurt even worst that I'm not sure will heal correctly is, my spirit. The air soft hurt but the disrespect cut me even deeper. I am thinking about carrying eggs with me in self defense but then again if they break in the bag the joke would be on me so its still a thought in progress. It really isn't that bad though.

I hope All is well. Enjoy Spring break!!!

Love Elder Leonhardt

I received word that Mark Kowalke is coming down to Phoenix for spring break and the area that he would most likely be in is less than 5 miles from me. I can see the baseball fields from the edge of my area. It is kind of weird to think about contact from the outside world. Also to hear that Matt and a close Elder to me his father, which we have grown to be very good friends, are working together in the same ward on his brothers. I most likely met him before I met his son whom I am serving with now. Small world.