This is a good week. First of all it has been very rainy in Libby for about a week and a half now, and I love the rain. Second, we had a good busy week this week. We have been focusing a lot on one investigator this week who has been really challenging for me mentally. Rick is his name and he has been taught by missionaries on and off for a little more than two years now. Every time we would go over to his house we would talk for a bit then he would tell us how he wanted to join the church, but why he couldn't. Every time he would focus like a laser on tithing, word of wisdom, and chastity. We finally got to the point with him where he said something that helped us understand what direction to take with him. We asked him if he thought that Christ had the power to take care of him if he paid his tithing, at which point he essentially said "I don't see any possible way that he could being in the situation that I'm currently in." We realized that what he really lacks is faith in Christ. I feel like missionaries in the past have probably rushed through the main lessons, committed him to get baptized, without making sure he had a real testimony of Christ and his atonement. So when it came time to teach him things such as tithing and the word of wisdom, he could not see why they were important/relevant and lacked the faith to believe that being obedient to them could possibly help him out in this life. We have now decided to focus entirely on Christ and his gospel, which we did on a church tour we gave to him. The spirit was so strong as we were able to testify of Christ and his atonement. I know he felt the spirit. He told us about things he hadn't realized before in the past that helped him out. I just pray that he will be able to keep that drive with him to know for himself. We haven't met with Jennifer now for a few weeks. She keeps cancelling our appointments so that she can go camping, or hiking, or hunting. I have to admit that it has been kind of frustrating, but as long as she tells us she has a desire to learn, we will continue to teach her. Luckily bear season is over, so she will be home more and we will hopefully be meeting with her this week. She tells us she wants to work towards getting baptized, which is great. There's not a whole lot to report on Linda this week, but her husband Carl made a huge step by coming to church by himself, and staying for all three hours. Linda was sick and couldn't come. Carl decided he was going to church anyway. He also is a lot more outgoing when he's there. If he keeps going this way, it's my hope that he will be worthy to baptize Linda when she is baptized. That would make me so happy. Well thats about it for me for this week. Hope you all have a wonderful week and drive home safe mom. Transfers are next week and I don't know if I will stay in Libby or not so for this week, it would probably be better to send anything to Spokane. Love you all=)
Elder Stacey
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