Isaac Needs New Socks

Hello Everyone!

One week down. First, I should explain the subject line of this email. Right before I left home last Monday, I grabbed some last minute ahtletic socks out of Isaac's drawer. They all have massive hole as you can see in one of the pictures. I also have learned that dove shampoo works great as laundry detergent in the sink becuase I havn't been able to do laundry for almost two weeks.

I'm having the time of my life. I can't believe how much fun I'm having while learning so much. My companion is Elder Sonnenberg. He and I get along so well and we are on fire when we teach investigators. Elder Nelson, my district leader, is also super cool. Elder Nelson's companion, Elder Ellis, is by far the funniest person I have ever met. You can probably figure out which one is Elder Ellis in the pictures, but if you need help, he is the one with a flower in his hair. We started making a quote book for things Elder Ellis has said because he is so funny. Here are a few: "About halfway through that lesson, I put on the full Southern charm with a good mhmmm hhmmmmmm". Heres another: "I decided that she needed the bad cop experience so I was like faith without works is dead!" -This one was after Elder Nelson had tried to help an investigator who was not keeping their commitments by showing love (the good cop). On the second day, our district was on the way to class. We passed some Korean speaking elders and started talking about their nametags. I had the bright idea of what do ASL missionaries have on their nametags? Elder Sonnenberg was like "wouldn't they have brail?" We all had a good laugh over that one and now it's a really funny inside joke. 

On a spiritual note, I have learned and progressed more in the last week than ever before. I feel like a completely new person. Serving a mission is, by far and without question, the best decision I have ever made. The spirit is so real and will guide you whenever you seek it. I'm already teaching several invesitagors and I love it. The most satisfying thing ever is getting out of a lesson and knowing that I followed the Holy Ghost and taught what Heavenly Father wanted me to. There was one lesson where Elder Sonnenberg and I had planned out the whole Restoration and we were like ready to convert this guy. About ten minutes in, the Spirit was like STOP! You are teaching the Plan of Salvation. I was like "but I don't even know how to teach the Plan of Salvation yet." The Spirit didn't care so we taught the Plan of Salvation and it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life and it was exactly what this guy needed. We were all tearing up as Elder Sonnenberg bore his testimony of Heavenly Father's plan for us. One of the biggest lesson I have learned here is that this work has nothing to do with me and everything to to with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know without a doubt, that this is Christ's restored church. I have been humbled so much over the past few days, and the Spirit has taught me so much. Always remember that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you can overcome any challenge or trial. I love the Gospel with everything in me, and I love ya'll!

Elder Laudie