Visit From An Apostle -- Progressing Investigator

Well this coming week is Thanksgiving. It'll be the fourth Thanksgiving away from home in a row. The way the transfers fall if things were to go normally I would be flying home on Thanksgiving day of next year. I wonder if they will send us home early or late or something... but anyways I have way too long to worry about that so I won't.

     The weather has stayed pretty cool. Not too cold. I still wear short sleeves every day. It has been a nice change from sweating every day.

     We had a pretty good week. Our investigator named Mark had a baptismal interview on Thursday. He isn't 100% percent ready. He still has some concerns about prophets and the Book of Mormon. He finished the Book of Mormon the day of his interview. He is still reading and praying. We will baptize him in December.

     We also begun teaching a lady that has had multiple strokes leaving her right side paralyzed. She was raised Catholic, but is happy to meet with us. She really felt the spirit as we testified of the atonement. She made it to church on Sunday. She is a really nice lady. She talks and moves a lot slower than she actually is. I hope the ward will be good about fellowshipping.

     Last Tuesday we found out that Elder D Todd Christopherson would be in the mission and invited all of the missionaries to meet with him. We were all able to shake his hand, then he spoke to us, and then opened it up for a question and answer session. He told us how much the Lord would bless us for our service, and reminded us that he never is in debt to us. He also spoke on how we can know the Lord. He is a powerful teacher and I learned a lot while listening to him.

     The Church is still true here in Temple TX. Keep praying for us.

Love

Elder Rindlisbacher

One Year Mark -- Growth in Testimony and Patience

Well this Thursday it'll be November 18th, one year since I left home. Because I have only contributed enough money for about half of my mission I will be coming home....... Just Kidding. It is kind of interesting to try to think back to that day I left. Dad and Chase drove me to the airport. Uncle Matt R, and Grandma and Grandpa Tuft greeted me at the airport. They took me to lunch and we got to see Hope.

     It doesn't feel like that much time has passed by. I think I've grown quite a bit. I weigh in fifteen pounds heavier than when I left, but fit into all of the same clothes fine. I think some of my pants have gotten a little shorter, that or I've grown a little. I also feel way more confident. There really isn't much I can't accomplish. I feel like I am doing pretty good as a teacher. My testimony has grown. I think I've developed a little more patience... maybe. Anyways I know there isn't anything that I could be doing right now that would be better for me.

     The work here in Temple has slowed down dramatically. We are thinking of better ways to find people. I wish I could find a way to get the ward excited about inviting there friends. We have started tracting a different part of town and the people seem to be a bit more effective.

     The man named Mark that we've been visiting with since I've been here is getting really close. He has set a date for himself but still has some concerns about the Book of Mormon and modern prophets. It doesn't seem like he is praying very sincerely when he prays in front of us.  He just prays that my companion Elder Bevan, who is pretty quiet, will get a speaking engagement in the great city of Salt Lake. We continue to invite him to pray. He will be finishing the Book of Mormon this week. I think that he believes that it is true, but is just being stubborn. Will you please pray for him.

     Elder Bevan and I are getting along really well. We haven't had a disagreement this transfer. It has been really good. We are trying to think of ways that we can be a little more obedient and diligent so that the work will improve.

I love y'all.

Cooler Weather and Investigator Cooling Off as Well

Well we had transfer calls this last Saturday evening. It was a surprise. Nothing is changing for my companion and I. He is a little upset. This is his greenie area and he will be here for 6 months at the end of this transfer. I remember Richard being a little upset when he had to stay in Lamar for that long. I loved my greenie area and was ready to stay for another little bit.

     The weather has sure cooled down quite a bit. There is a weather service we are allowed to call and the other day it said it was 41 degrees at 9 in the morning. It heated up to about 65 that day. It has stayed around 70 for most of the week. It is nice to have it be a little warmer. It is a little harder to make it out the door for exercise in the mornings though.

     Planning on areas to tract is getting a little harder. We have knocked a lot of the doors that are near by our apartment. The streets of temple are pretty crowded and there aren't any side walks so we try to stay off of our bikes most of the time. It is a little easier to contact people while on foot anyway. I think we will spend more time on the bikes this transfer to save some time.

     We had a disappointment this week. We had a man named Clifford scheduled for baptism this last week. The day before his baptism we got a call from him. He had punched on an appointment the night before. He told us that his cousin got into an accident and he had to go take care of him so he was moving that day. He was moving to his uncle's house who is a pastor of another church. I'm pretty sure he didn't move. He has had a hard time giving up cigarettes and I think he is just embarrassed to tell us.

     Other than that we had a pretty good week. We found a few people that seem semi promising. I know that if we continue to work hard and be obedient we will be blessed.

I love y'all

Elder Rindlisbacher

Encouragement for us to share the gospel with our friends

     So I've been in Temple for about 5 weeks now. It is crazy how fast time flies here. It's been interesting because we've had general and stake conference. I've only attended out ward three times. I wish I knew the ward a little better because Elder Bevan will probably be transferred in about a week and a half.

     We had to push back the baptismal date we had with Clifford. He is scheduled to be baptised this coming Saturday. He has read and prayed like we've asked and feels that he knows it is true. He was raised Jehovah Whiteness, so he says there are a few beliefs that are a little hard to leave behind but he is excited to be baptised. We just need to keep him out of the pool hall where he used to hang out so he can stay away from cigarettes and coffee.

     We attended the ward Halloween party on Saturday. We had about 6 people we've been working with there. The ward did a very good job of making everyone feel comfortable. We had a part member family there and their infant won one of the costume contests.

     Last night (for Halloween) we were not allowed to go out. We got with our district and had a district meeting up in Waco. After the meeting we stayed at another missionaries apartment so we could participate in a P Day activity. After studies and things this morning we played some football and capture the flag. It was pretty fun. I really enjoy being in a more social environment than a companionship.

     Well the church is still true here in Temple TX. I love y'all. Pray for missionaries and don't be scared to open your mouth to friends. Teaching members friends is way more productive than knocking doors.

 

Love, Elder Rindlisbacher

 

PS Thanks for the pictures and the pictures to come. Rachel sure has grown. Especially her hair. .