5-1-13

Annie’s Letter

"Your statistical probability of dying just went through the roof!"

So that sentence (the subject line of the other email I accidentally sent) is what a man told me because I said that I'm going to die someday. In his mind the purpose of life is to not die. I'm afraid he's going to be disappointed. We have seriously met some CRAZIES this week! We met Jim the Basher. The Elders had told us about him- a man who studies anti Mormon literature just to harass missionaries. He has followed the Elders into Kroger before and given them a hard time. Several elders have almost got in fights with him and finally Elder Smuin told him if he ever approached them again they would call the cops. We had the pleasure of tracting into him. He knows his stuff... but its' all crap. So much evil and twistedness! He told us we were accursed so that was exciting. Then we met the crazy guy who is going to live forever, plus a preacher who is really confused. Yeah...exciting week haha. But enough of this nonsense... Let's talk about the amazing things!!

SATURDAY APRIL 27, MILES WAS BAPTIZED INTO THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS! See the attached picture (Miles is next to me. The other man in white is Brother Smith, who baptized Miles). it was amazing! This ward is so great! There were so many people at the baptism we had to move from the relief society room to the chapel. It was amazing. The spirit was really strong. Sister Bergeson sang an amazing arrangement of "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" (I played for her) it was seriously AMAZING! Miles was baptized and it was just fabulous. Then the Bishop asked if he would get up and say a few words... we were a little nervous because he has been telling us for 2 weeks that he won't do that and it will just aggrivate him...but we warned him. Told him it was coming, and that we had no control over it (which we really don't). But he got up and wasn't nervous at all. Sunday he was confirmed. We didn't really get to hear it because his son, Toran, was crying and we were trying to keep him quiet and from running up to the stage. Poor kid. He is such a cutie! I love these 2 little boys! Jaden said that he wants to get baptized! So we are going to work with the primary to finish teaching him and hopefully the end of May or early June he will be baptized. AND MILES CAN BAPTIZE HIM! It was seriously amazing.
So transfers are tomorrow. Haven't got calls yet... we're sitting right next to the zone leaders at the library and they are waiting to get the call from the assistants. YIKES!  So I don't have any info on that yet. Oh! I almost forgot... I have some exciting news! As you may have heard there is a new position called "Sister Training Leader" which is basically the equivalent of a zone leader, but for sisters! Well, on Tuesday last week, President Nilsen called me and extended the call to me to be a Sisters Training Leader! So I don't know exactly what all that entails yet, but I will be going on exchanges with sisters and going to the mission leadership council (formerly zone leader council). So that's super humbling. But I'm excited to be more involved with the incredible sisters of the OCM!

Mom and Dad: I don't know where I'll be for Mother's Day yet becasue I don't know what area I'll be in. I promise as soon as I find out about transfers I'll work on setting that up. Rules haven't changed so no skype. No worries though, you can see my smile in the picture I attached and also in person soon. :-/

Natalie: I drive a Malibu right now too! They're good. What color is your car? Also, did you think of 10 things you were grateful for every day? Good luck with finals. You'll do awesome chica! Also, tell Jon congrats and I'm so proud of him for being ordained to a priest! That's super amazing! You two are just grown up! It's so crazy!

Rachel: Good luck with everything this week! Sounds like a fun week! Have fun at Lagoon! I love Desert Star Theater. I wanna go back. I loved both productions we saw on the NHS trip. Such a fun trip!

Megan and Justin: Fun plans for summer? I hope so! Go camping a lot! Go for me a couple times!
Landon: You're such an amazing example. I love you so much! I am grateful for how much you have grown and for how much you have helped me grow. Your letters and emails are always so inspiring. Love you buddy :-)

Well, mi familia, you guys are all the best. I love you SO MUCH! Have a wonderful week! And I can't wait to read more emails on Monday! :-)

Annie

ps i haven't found my charger yet, but a girl in the ward has the same camera as me so she let me borrow her charger so I was able to get pictures. Hopefully I'll find it! i did check between bed and wall and under couch, behind dresser... everywhere. But I had been praying...and the Lord still answered my prayer even though it wasn't how I expected. :-) He does that a lot.

Ann