Already a Baptism!

Disclaimer these events may be told out of order.

Things in the Beautiful WA-TAC are AMAZING! First off let me tell you some of the many weird things about WA. I believe I've told you about the weird milk jugs (if not let me know and I'll send a pic again, they're weird). I've mentioned how there are no lights in the main rooms, and how people are WAY obsessed with their dogs and cats. Here's another weird thing about the cats her. They have THUMBS! Yes thumbs. They aren't quite human but they have cat versions. Some even have two per paw! So weird! I will try getting a picture.

Anyway. I met my first hippie this past week (like a real hippie. I thought everyone had exaggerated them never shaving and such. It wasn't an exaggeration). It was very interesting and saddening at the same time. Everything she told us about fit perfectly within the teachings of the Gospel but instead of believing in God she attributed it all to nature. It was sad to see her so close but miles and miles away all at the same time.

We had a VERY exciting week last week. A lady moved into Oly 4th ward boundaries. She had been taught the first three lessons in her previous area but had to move so she contacted us after moving and we started teaching her. We have put her on date and she will be getting baptized on SATURDAY! I am so excited for her! She has such a strong testimony and she practically glows with happiness all the time! I love her so much and love seeing how God blesses her life every single day! Saturday is going to be double special for me now! I was sad that I wouldn't be with Sam on that day but now while I still wish I could be with her at the temple I am excited to watch Christina take the first step towards going to the temple in a year. Hopefully I will get to join her next August.

We did an extra knocking the other day because we have been praying to find people and we know that faith requires action. BOY DID MY FAITH GROW. Every single door we knocked on let us pray with them. The third door we knock on let us teach her part of a lesson and is having us come back on the 15th! Her name is Ruth. After knocking we went to visit a less active member but she wasn't home. This was all part of God's plan because she wasn't home we ended up talking to her neighbor Paul. Before knocking on Marian's door we had a short conversation with him and had invited him to church. He said maybe. After we found she wasn't home we talked with him more. We gave him a church tour yesterday and a Book of Mormon. We're meeting with him again on Wed. And he's coming to church Sunday!

Wednesday we had one of the Young Women coming knocking with us (we knock every day for two hours inviting people to learn about the Gospel. Its awesome). We pulled up on our chosen street, parked and prayed. After praying Sister Sandau added a request to be protected from dogs. All I have to say before I continue this story is that I really hope someone was watching out their window because it was the funniest sight. Anyway we all get out of the car and Makayla (the young woman) was asking if she should be worried about dogs. No sooner had we reassured her that we'd never really had problems than we hear a dog bark. We look over and see that its a BIG dog and it isn't chained up. We agree not to go to that house until it goes inside. We start walking. Suddenly another dog comes running out from under the same house and then there are like 7 barking dogs (not vicious sounding just BIG) running at us from every house in the cul-de-sac! Not even two feet from the car we all yell to get back in the car. We climb in and start driving away. The view from the rear view window was one from a movie! It was so funny! Seven dogs all running behind our car. We couldn't stop laughing!

Being chased by the dogs led us to switching streets. Because of this we knocked on a sweet lady's door and had almost an hour long conversation with her. (Most people are really nice, or at least polite about not being interested) She has forever changed my view on Christ. She talked about how He is the perfect being but was still mortal and had toe jam and that type of stuff. I know that sounds weird and you're asking how that could change my view on Christ, let me explain. It helped me love Christ even more. I never really thought about how Christ had actually experienced mortality. Not only does he truly understand EVERY emotion and feeling we have but he has personally experienced what it feels like to feel hungry, gross and sweaty, and tired. It gives me strength when we're walking up a steep hill in 90+ degrees hot, sweaty, and feeling the dirt in my shoes. It reminds me that He is walking right next to me and it renews my strength as to what my purpose is. It gives me hope that the next door I knock on will open, and behind it will be someone who has been prepared and waiting. Even when that door closes with a "no thanks" I hope and pray that the next door will carry a "yes".

I know that this work is GOD's work. I am but a means to His will being fulfilled. I can't wait to see even more of how God has a part in every part of my life. No matter how small it is. I KNOW that my Heavenly Father is helping and guiding me. Teaching me what I need to know to become worthy of being His daughter and to eventually return and live with Him forever.

Pray always and let God know your questions, fears, everything!