Spring in Des Moines

Dear Family & Friends:

It is officially spring weather here in Des Moines!  On Saturday it was in the 80's and we were dying of heat, and today we woke up to snow on the ground! 

Awkward Moment:  Wearing companion's
sunglasses when they break;}

Anyways this week proved to be another great week in Des Moines!

 Monday evening at the YMCA we helped with a clothing give away table that Bill and Connie, as well as Sister Brown and I were putting on.  During meal time we had tables full of clothes that have been donated and we let the residents take what they wanted.  It was really neat to watch them help one another.  Like one would pick up a clothing item, say the size and then if it wasn't his or her size they would look around to try and find someone that it would fit. 

 Tuesday was a beautiful day and we were able to spend quite a bit of time finding, but it was a wonderful day of finding.  Like on one of the streets we went on.  Five people answered the door, three of which are potentials, one we have a return appointment with, and one told us that we could stop by again.   Anyways we'll see if anything comes from it, but it was a fun day regardless.  Plus the weather was nice, so hopefully we can get a little bit of color back in our skin! 

On Wednesday we were able to visit Carrie, and it has been so amazing to watch the hope that comes from the gospel entering into her life!  When the sisters first started to visit her she wouldn't even think about saying a prayer, and now not only does she say prayers, she reads from the Book of Mormon each week, and when the weather permits she comes to church!  That evening was wonderful as well, because we were able to go and visit a referral we had received from one of the members in our ward!  It is so neat to see how people's lives are touched and influenced by the examples of church members around them. 

Okay so it was really neat because when we were teaching Gary on Tuesday he was talking about how he is not afraid to tell anyone that he is studying to become a member, but then he said that because he has been telling so many people he feels like he has better make sure that he is always acting in harmony with the gospel, because he does not want someone to get a wrong impression and judge the church, because he didn't do something that was Christ like.  I love how the gospel wants us to do and be better and continually become more like our Savior!

Thursday we were able to have another lesson with Gary and Sister Christensen was able to come with us! (She is the one that had us over for my birthday dinner)  Anyways it was wonderful because we were going over the baptismal interview questions with Gary and filling out the baptismal record which has to be filled out correctly, but since neither Sister Brown nor I have ever filled one out, she was able to help us!  Ha-ha another benefit to bringing members with you! 

Friday we had our English class with Cho Ku and it was so fun!  She is so cute and this time she was telling us about when she went to a swimming pool and thought she was going to drown, but she laughs the entire time that she is telling the experience.  Also, we had been talking about items in the home, and it just dawned on me the culture shock it must be for refugees to come to America and to live in an apartment, with showers, running water and other things that they have never seen before.  On top of being in a place that you don't speak the language. But then it made me think about the pioneers when they were all coming to gather with the Saints and how many different cultures and languages they would have had among themselves, but yet they were united in a cause, which if we look for similarities, there are so many more similarities among people than there are differences.  It all depends on your attitude.

Saturday was Gary's baptismal interview and he showed up 30 minutes early!!!  All went well with the interview and then at church yesterday he said "I keep thinking that this spiritual high is going to wear off, but apparently not."  How amazing it was to hear him say that.  Because it won't wear off if he continues to do what he has been doing for the past month, of reading his scriptures daily, praying, attending church meetings, preparing to make and keep sacred covenants, and to serve others.  What power the spirit can bring into our lives if we will only allow it to!

Sundays are always wonderful here in Des Moines and it is even more fun to see how the ward members receive everyone with open arms and will go up and introduce them to anyone who is attending!  Right before Sacrament meeting the Henry's were saying that their 2 1/2 year old daughter was playing house and so they asked her what the name of her baby was and she said "let's name her Brown,  Sister Brown"  so cute!  And then before Relief Society, Sister Andelin gave me a picture that her 8 year old daughter, drew for me! 

Anyways, I can't believe that Gary's baptism is this week!  What a wonderful experience it will be to watch him enter into the waters of baptism and make sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven!

May each of us remember our covenants with our Father in Heaven and strive to live up to them each day!

Love you all,

Sister Call

 

Visiting the Hubbell Arch in Des Moines.

Oh, one more thing:  We are so excited for Sister Jensen to come to the lesson tonight!  and we are having the lesson in the Lowman's home.  Sister Lowman is in the RS presidency and President Lowman is a counselor in the stake presidency!  So it should be wonderful!