Dear Family,

I was just at the laundromat. We met a lady named Julie who is moving out to Joplin today and got divorced a year ago. Very turbulent time of her life. She started asking us about our missions and what we do. We talked for awhile. Basically taught a slimmed down version of the first lesson. The spirit was there. We both bore our testimonies. And nothing happened. She is not interested, wouldn't take a Book of Mormon or even a Pass-Along card. Sad. Christ spoke of how the elect will hear His voice, and that His sheep know His voice. She was not elect. I hope that one day she will change. But I am grateful for this opportunity to bear testimony and teach the gospel.

Another un-exciting week, overall.

Monday we had dinner with Br. Throop, whose grandson is a chef.(they feed us once or twice a month. Matt made us Cashew Chicken. It was really good. You would have loved it, Dad.

Saturday we had a Stake General Priesthood Meeting. We took one of our investigators, John. When we went to pick him up, he said he wasn't going to go. He had just got in a huge fight with his dad. But Elder Mortensen talked him into it. And sure enough, he felt the Spirit. It gave him a new perspective on things and helped him deal with his life a little better. The Spirit is truly amazing.

We borrowed some old General Conference CD's that we're listening to in our car. Elder Maxwell was awesome. He gave a talk about lessons we learn from Laman and Lemuel. Fascinating. He thinks about things on a level I never even dream of.


We have a wedding to go to on Saturday. One of our investigators is getting married to her less-active fiancee. So that's pretty exciting. Big step in their lives. Things will definitely improve for them once they start living the Law of Chastity.

I am excited for Mission Tour this week. We will be taught by Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the First Quorum of the Seventy. That should be awesome.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Bracken