Week 34

Dear hooligans,

Elder Greene and I started off our second transfer together with a bang!  Plenty of goals set to improve our skills and abilities, and measurements made to motivate us to increase and accelerate the gathering of Israel.  What a privilege it is to be an hireling of the harvest.  This week we decided we needed to contact everyone in Modesto that had any contact with the church.  So we made a list of names to take in certain areas in town and went a-biking.  Monday night was crazy, so many people didn't want to answer there door, I can't imagine why, and en route to another street we ran into Alan, the atheist pool master, and his wife, who took us to get chinese food.  Victory Royale.  The next day we again hit the streets of the Central Valley, one sunny hour at a time, speaking to homeowners about previous inhabitants of this land northward.  We ran into a member we hadn't met before, he is a drummer but recently had a shoulder surgery and was out of commission.  Told us about his kids and some of the paths they've taken in life.  One of his sons is a professional singer for some huge concert band that performs for business expos and conferences, especially for News Channels and cable companies, all over the United States.  That was pretty cool.  Had some interesting encounters with people disaffected from the church, and then taught one of our friends, Jose, about Tithing, who told us he wanted to start paying Tithing today, I almost baptized him right there in the apartment complex, but I figured he needs to understand a few more steps first.  Wednesday, we went out, determined to get in the homes of some less active members.  We did, and had interesting conversations, especially one man, who was baptized a few years ago but has since come out and struggles to maintain a testimony while also balancing his personal beliefs and reflection on the philosophies of the world.  One aspect of the Restoration, however, remains true to him.  Joseph Smith and his first vision.  Probably because it is true, but also, in his words, the search for truth that young Joseph took by inquiring if the Lord is one that we should all take.  Amen!  The next day we attempted to make appointments out of the many doors we knocked, to minimal success.  However, we taught our friend Nick again and asked him to take a step of faith and really ask God if what we have taught him is true, and if he's ready to align himself with the church.  He said he would, and we anticipate his answer this week.  Friday morning, Alan asked if we could help him in his yard.  I was stoked, it was a nice day, and when we showed up, he said he was going to make us breakfast but got lazy, so we went to Perko's instead.  Heck yeah!  Then we helped him remove most of the plants in his back garden by means of shovel, pitchfork, and grit.  It was a good hour of labor, and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.  We went to teach our friend Jose again, and committed him to get married.  And to be baptized!  He said yes to both!  And called his wife into the room so he could tell her the things he's learned and so far understands.  She was cool with it.  We showed our friend Gabriel a video on the Restoration, and he invited us over for dinner the next day.  It wasn't a busy Saturday, we had to push some of our planning onto that day so we didn't get to knock so many doors. Gabriel took us to Costco for pizza and churros.  So good.  Church was great, Sunday we visited with some members, a few less active families we have been visiting came to church so that was epic.  We went out with the ward mission leader, met with some friends, he and his wife fed us spaghetti, and knocked a couple more doors before heading home.  On our way back, just before curfew, Alan asked us to come eat pie that he had baked.  It was bomb, he also asked us to eat some Frattata or something.  He said it was Italian and I said it was good.  It's been a good week, I ate a lot of food, but don't worry (Dad) I still make sure to run.  Besides, this is the second week in a row that we've biked, I'm doing alright.  The church is so true guys.  I've thought a lot about the Book of Mormon and the light it brings into our lives when we choose to open its cover and glide over the pages for just a moment in our day.  I wish we had a day to study from dawn until dusk, but there's work to do, for the salvation of other souls, not mine.  I'll get there, just gotta keep pushing, living the commandments, being converted to the Lord through obedience and faith.  Jesus Christ is at the head, he is in control.  He watches over the work.  Hope you're all doing well, staying healthy, and trying new foods.

Loce and prayers, 

Elder Gneiting