We are working a lot on finding.

May 30, 2006
Dear Family,

How are you doing? It sounds like your trip to Vancouver was fun. I hope to get to go there with you guys someday. I doubt that the aquarium you went to even compares to Sea World down in San Diego... which is, unfortunately, not in our mission, so we can't go there. Someday, though, when we all come back to see the mission, we can take a couple detours... to Disneyland... to Legoland... to Sea World... San Diego zoo... etc.

Anyway. We are doing fine here. We are working a lot on finding. Yesterday we got a member referral; Kyle is an 18 year old high school senior. He is Christian, and planning to go to a Baptist Bible college next year for school. His friend, a member named Steven, set up an appointment for us to meet him, play Apples to Apples with him, go to lunch, and then have a lesson. Two other members that are his friends came over for the lesson. It was good, the spirit was there, and we have another appointment on Thursday. He teaches his own Bible study in his home, so if he is sincere, when he gets his answer he'll be in a position to influence a lot of people. I wish we got more member referrals like that. "I want you to meet the missionaries." Our stake High Counselor over missionary work has used a very interesting approach. He tells his friends and acquaintances, "I am sending two missionaries over with a gift for you. I want you to listen to them; you don't have to believe them, but please listen to what they have to say." And then he sends the missionaries there with a Book of Mormon in which he's written his testimony in the front. Six people have joined the church because of him doing that. His name is Brother Andre, he went over to Jakko's house with us this week and talked him into coming to church. He's an awesome missionary; he converted when he was 20. He is also an artist who works in film and media; he owns an advertising firm, so I really want to sit down and talk to him.

John Moran's baptism is set for Saturday. He passed his interview. I look up to him a lot for the decision he is making.

We are still teaching John Raney in the Saadeh's home. I really like the Saadeh's; they're the perfect member family, and the dad being a nonmember doesn't take away from that at all. He is a really admirable guy, very supportive to his family. He always comes to church and leads his family in scripture study and prayer. He sits down with us for the discussions we have with John too, although from what I understand, he isn't really up to being taught himself at this time; he's had the discussions many times before. So, I don't really get to talk to him much about the gospel directly, but if I could I would try to find out what his hang-up really is. And I'd help him understand that he really needs to be committed to God above everything and really seek wholeheartedly after an answer from Heavenly Father. Maybe he's putting his heritage and family as his first priority, but isn't his true family the one he has now? Isn't his heritage the one he is creating. Besides, God is even above family. Like Matthew says, anybody who forsakes family or possessions or anything for Christ will gain it back a hundred fold. Even if his family from Lebanon don't agree with him now, they'll admire him for blazing a path when they finally understand the truth. I know Satan works hard on him because he is middle eastern and he could open so many doors as a mission president or something. He's such a good guy though, and he does good, and I know he believes in Christ. I just wish he'd understand that once he's willing to act on an answer from God, he will get that answer.

Yesterday morning, we got up at 4:45 to go help with registration for a marathon. There were about 50 missionaries there, it was pretty cool. We got free t-shirts.

We saw Jeanie again this week, and she says she wants to learn more about the church after she finishes this big project she's working on in about two weeks. So that's an awesome potential that we still have.

That's about all that's been going on this week. I hope you guys have a great week and stay safe. I love you all.

Love,
Elder Myers