March 25, 2013

Dear Home,

Yippy for posterity! Glad to see the next generation is doing well (except for the whole boy to girl ratio) Ozzie will have to hold up the fort for now. I love all of my nieces and nephews!

Well this week was definitely the hardest one I have had since I've gotten out here. We haven't been able to find anyone to teach and lessons have fallen through. That was the easier part of the week though, it didn't get bad till friday. I let my companion plan the whole day by himself and he picked a street to tract on(knock doors). First door had a funny sign posted on it that read, "No solicitors, we are poor. We found Jesus. We can do yard-work on our own. Seriously unless you are selling thin mints GO AWAY" I took a picture of it and went to the next door. Knocked and a lady answered. We asked if we could say a prayer with the family or offer service of any kind. That was the beginning and we didn't leave for another 30 mins. She said she was a Christian but I don't know if I could agree. She tried to bible bash with us on satanic things and cursed us and wouldn't stop taring down every religion on earth, saying Satan is in control of everything and so on and so forth. I had never seen someone so set on disproving everything and finding the bad/non-truth in this world, it was in more than one way said to see that they could have no happiness in their life because of what they have set their focus on. The attitude of the whole situation was so bad that the spirit had left from the beginning and I have been struggling to feel the spirit since that incident. To throw lemon juice on the cut for the next 3 days not a single person on the street would talk with us or even except a free invitation to the Easter pageant or even letting us know who could use any kind of service. Its been rough. I can say that the only good things that I can recount that have occurred to me are first the The birth of Quin and the Chapman family. We were able to baptize 3 of the kids, the daughters. I got to baptize Alondra who is the middle one in the picture. That's not the only time that they have helped me. As the days have been bad I would randomly run into them here and there, with their big smiles and welcoming attitudes instead of me blessing their lives through the gospel they are now blessing mine through living the gospel. I love them very much. At the baptism the father, nonmember Brett, devoted himself in front of two of his work buddies that while he was gone on a mission for the air force he was going to read the Book of Mormon everyday. I have faith that he will keep his word. The baptism went well and the girls loved the experience, they are now doing Family Home Evening together and striving to help each other and asking lots of questions. Oh yeah Rosa gave the closing prayer and it was so heart felt. She got a little emotional but was so happy to see that her daughters want to follow in her footsteps.

I am now taking a deep breath and remembering the happy moments of my life. I have made a promise that before I lay down for bed I am going to write in my journal an experience in which I have seen the Hand of the Lord. It has helped me to stay positive and look for the bright rather than the dim. I would encourage you as well to try it out, i know that it can help you close your day on a better note and feel better after the trials you have as well to wake up and strive to see the Glory of God lift you and your Burdens. I love you all and hope that the small, peace filled, happy moments will be cherished.

Love Elder Leonhardt