November???

Hmmmm....what can I say this week that would interest everybody who reads these emails? How about, I'm starting to feel sick, I have no confidence in the majority of our ward members, our WML hates us and is causing an endless supply of stress because of countless ridiculous reasons that I really have no time to list off, transfers can't come soon enough, and I'm going to be getting an MRI done for my shoulder this week sometime. On second thought, maybe that would be too negative and I would give everyone the impression that I am miserable right now (which is totally not true, by the way) and that I'm really struggling with everything (also, not true at all). Yeah, I think that might be a bad idea to say all those things. How about I take a different approach?

First off, we have a new investigator. Her name is Lindsey and she is progressing very well. I personally feel that her fellowshipper, Aunt Barber, is holding her back from getting baptized. Sis. Barber has made Lindsey think that she needs to know everything before she commits to a specific date and time for when she would get baptized. Well, knowledge is wonderful and everyone knows that you definitely can't be saved in ignorance. However, there is this amazing thing called a spiritual confirmation that tells you something is true and that everything the missionaries are teaching is true as well. You can know that getting baptized is the right thing to do and that setting a date provides spiritual power to fight off the temptations Satan is going to send your way telling you to procrastinate the day of your repentance. Plus, we would never allow someone to be baptized if they weren't prepared according to the specifications we have been given for those entering the waters. Our plan of attack: teach her the remaining lessons this week and tell her that she knows everything she needs to in order to be baptized. As long as she keeps the commitments and knows that what we are teaching is true, she is ready. And I know she is ready. (Check out Acts 2 for an example of the qualifications someone needs for baptism)

I believe I told you about the Jenkins family recently in one of my emails. They are doing well. Brother Jenkins is living the Word of Wisdom and his family members are awesome. We have been seeing them more frequently lately to keep encouraging them and provide any support that we can. Their names were brought up in PEC yesterday, but the track record for how effectively our ward gets things done would predict that nothing is going to happen to help them out. We are probably going to have to ask our Bishop directly to see if he could meet with them so that the proper steps are taken to help them get to the Temple. The only problem with that is our WML will probably complain about us going behind his back and skipping through the chain of authority in order to do anything (hopefully you can feel my sarcasm).

There are many good things that are coming up in the near future that I am looking forward to. The first would be transfers which take place next Tuesday (November 9th). This Friday we will be having a Zone Leader Council meeting up in Gridley that I am excited for. The time that I have to spend with President Pendleton is one of my favorite uses of time on my mission. On November 15th, we will be having Half-Mission Conference with Elder Per G. Malm. I am super stoked for that. Last year, Elder Paul V. Johnson came and it was incredible. I am sure that this year will be just as good. Then it will be Thanksgiving, and then Santa Run will be happening in the first part of December. Finally, the end will be here... I am expecting the next month and a half to be the fastest of my mission and I don't know if that is a good thing. Come what may and love it, right?

It always feels like there are things that I forget to say every time I email. I'll probably remember something later today and then I'll forget it all again completely next week. Mom, to answer your question: yes the weather has cooled down. We've had a little bit of rain in the past couple weeks, but the rain season really hasn't started quite yet. It's been in the 70's lately (with basically no humidity, Devin. Hah!) I'm sure more rain is coming soon though. I am so grateful I am in a car area. I'm looking forward to the letters from the family this week. Nobody has told me anything about the Disneyworld trip other than that you were eating at Winnie the Pooh's when you heard Devin was joking around about his busted leg. And, Kasey has/had a date soon/recently? I haven't heard from her for a while... Finally, Brittnie, I got your package and your letter. The Elders in our house wanted to write to you and ask for more of those chocolate-oreo-awesome-ball things. I will be writing to you soon. Thanks for the package.

Once again, I hope everything is well at home (and around the world for those reading this elsewhere). You are all in my prayers. Be mighty!

Love,
Elder Justin Hammer