Sanford fire is burning on the dance floor

Well howdy fellers!

So man, this past week has probably been the best since I've gotten in to Sanford! And we learned right away why Elder Hakes was transferred here. Speaking of which, Elder Hakes is from Gilbert Arizona, and he likes to work which is a good thing. He's funny, smart, and got a good testimony of the gospel. So it's been a good companionship so far, and continues to get better.

SO WE HAD A BAPTISM THIS WEEK! First one for me since April! and first one for Elder Hakes that he had a hand in teaching. So that was a cool thing for both of us to get fired up and excited about the work. It was a great and spiritual service, and the ward was really pleased about it. It's the first one since January in the ward, and the last baptism was an hour and a half long because the kid getting baptized was afraid of water and decided he didn't want to be baptized. Nice long story there. But it's been good to show the ward we're working and trying to find people and invite them to make and keep covenants.

We had one guy, Ed, who has a date for the 3rd of September tell us that he couldn't quit smoking because it helped him with some other disorder he had, and the VA wouldn't let him try anything else...So we felt like bringing our bishop to the next lesson, and for whatever reason, he resolved his own concern and we didn't have any more problems. We've been doing tons better in Sanford bringing members to lessons and teaching is a lot easier. There are some things a 20 year old missionary can't say to people. So it's been great. Actually we had a way cool experience with that. We were teaching one of our investigators who is super close to baptism, and his wife happened to be there. She kept saying "well it's different for you, you were born into this church" because us and the members we had with us were all members our whole lives. I was thinking and praying "What do I say? what do I do?" and suddenly BOOM the town cop who happens to be a convert randomly shows up. He walks in the door, and I felt bad because I pretty well immediately bombarded him with a question. But it was a great experience, he did great, and a fantastic answer to prayer.

Another awesome thing that happened. We pretty much found out why Elder Hakes was transferred here the first day he was here. This lady pulled past us on the road and screeched into a U turn to turn around. She started yelling "Elder Hakes! Elder Hakes!" I guess he taught her in Antonito 2-3 months ago, and then before she got baptized he got transferred and she pretty much got mad and decided she didn't want to be baptized because he had helped her to gain a testimony. A little silly, but this week, she moved to Sanford, the same time Elder Hakes did. They were supposed to be moving to Arizona but couldn't get a house yet, so they're here for a couple weeks. So we are shooting for Sunday Evening for another baptism. Our companionship goal and vision is to baptize weekly. So the Lord is preparing a way to make that possible. We'll see what ends up happening but it's been sweet, she's pretty much told us she is getting baptized while she is here. So it's just a matter of when.

OH and the temple! That was pretty cool, to be able to see my group I came out with and reflect on the year and make goals and set things up. It's been a good year for sure. Probably the best year of my life. President Pfile told us that a 2 year mission is worth 40 years of experience, so 1:20, so technically i'm supposed to be 40 years old right now. In a way of speaking. I got to do sealings in the temple which was really fun, and a great experience. And just being able to be with the people you came out with and talk, relax, and just have a good time. And a very spiritual time. The Denver Temple is a beautiful one.

Well that's the story of the week. Nothing really funny happened. We've been too busy. Not that we haven't had fun, but we've been working very hard. I'll try to come up with something. I'm pretty tired too. OH I guess one thing was at our Temple Jubilee we had an opportunity to ask President Questions, and some missionaries were getting into very deep doctrine. It was funny to see how president just kept shutting them down with stuff like "well, I guess we just don't know."

But that's all.

Love ya!