From Jon 4/12

Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2008 10:04 AM
Subject: Change of scenery

Salutations!

Things are going well here in Minneapolis. We have some very promising investigators and a very large area that covers half the state and part of Canada.

We've had some fun weather this week, including some blusterous winds of 30+ MPH. That, in combination with rain, sleet, and snow has caused us to hold our umbrellas like shields in front of us with one hand supporting the frame so it wouldn't collapse and charge through the virtually horizontal precipitation. What fun :)

On the 30th, our mission is going to a Twins game. I'll bet I'll get to see Elder Veit. When does he go home? I've lost track of how long he's been out.

Chue, a member of the branch here, is planning on going on a mission and we are helping him prepare. Not too long ago, he was less-active and had stopped going to church for a long time. The missionaries were getting frustrated trying to get him to come back. They were out of ideas, and when he asked them if there was a particular chapter he should read, they said "Oh, just open up somewhere and we'll discuss whatever it is with you the next time we come." He let the pages drop open, and they opened to a page in Alma where a dime had somehow gotten in there. He collects dimes, and they seem to be good luck for him, so he saw it as a sign. The chapter talked about facing God with a knowledge of your guilt and wanting to be buried, hidden, or removed from existence to escape guilt. He wanted to be able to stand uprightly before the Lord, and knew he needed to keep the commandments and come to church. Now he's rock-solid and wants to share. He has helped fellowship and joint-teach three brothers named Shoua, Houa, and John, These 3 are a ko tau (aka Katorball, aka foot volleyball) team, and are preparing to be baptized. We had a wonderful lesson with Shoua and John yesterday--- very spiritual.

We talked to a lady at a bus stop yesterday, and when we told her what church we represented, she said she just saw something on the news about us. I thought 'Oh, wonderful! Something about humanitarian aid no doubt.' She said "Yeah, there was a big bust in Texas! Something about underage marriage." Since we believe in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law, I figured this was probably another one of those wacko apostate groups that tell the media they are "Mormons". Oh brother.

Good luck with all your endeavors and thanks for your prayers!

-Elder Moua Ying