We must always remember Him

We have recently been finding many potential investigators and receiving many referrals from ward members and less-actives. Our most progressing investigator is Brandy (a foster child). We printed off a Conference Notes packet from lds.org and gave one to her (has pictures of the Prophet, his counselors, the Apostles and lines to take notes on). After Conference we talked about some of the things we learned and she read from her notes. Her notes showed great understanding and as she read there was such a sweet Spirit in the room. She knew nothing of our Heavenly Father, of Jesus Christ, or the Spirit when we started teaching her, but now knows and can feel who they are and can't wait to be baptized.

This last week we were on exchanges and Elder Toth was in our area with me. We called a less-active to try and schedule an appointment for the next day and she was hesitant; she had many chores around the barn to do. As we offered service she suddenly had plenty of time for us to come over. Elder Toth and I drove over the next morning. It was very wet outside and we had no idea we were about to be pushing wheelbarrows full of horse manure up  big hills of more horse manure. We arrived and the member told us that she had a really good friend coming over to help and that we could probably share a lesson with them at the end of the service. She arrived, we all worked and chatted - had a good time. The woman turns out to be in Elder Toth's area (another suburb of Cleveland) which was not a coincidence! We taught about our purpose here on earth (it pertained to what the woman was talking about during our service...many deaths lately) and pointed out how the Lord's hand is everywhere in our lives, preparing us to return to live with him and be happy on earth. By the end of our lesson, the friend invited Elder Toth and his companion over for dinner next week and agreed to take lessons from them. It was a wonderful experience.

Conference sure was great. It's on lds.org already - which is so cool how quick the church was able to upload all of that. I learned so much and know that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. What a great man. I wish I could watch all the sessions over and over again, but alas I have work to do! We went over to 3 members/investigators houses for 3 of the 5 sessions of General Conference. They all fed us :) There are so many talks that I could write pages and pages about...so instead you should all just go watch Conference again (or write me and tell me what your favorites were!).

Not much more to report... A lot of people we have found through tracting, but the hardest part is getting them to answer their phones/be home for our return appointments! Things are looking up and I'm excited for what's to come. I loved what Elder Carl B. Cook of the Quorum of the Seventy said in the Saturday Afternoon session: "We must look up and step up. As we do so, we will cheer up." This is following the advice President Monson once gave him: "Remember, it's better to look up." In the Sacrament prayers we promise to "always remember [Christ]" and as we do so (looking towards the "son") and press forward, we will be happy. This has been evident on my mission. I love my mission so much! Thank you for all the love and support!

Love, Elder Dransfield