March 22, 2006

Hey hey,

To start off I'm going to answer a few questions that people have asked that might be beneficial for others in the group. That's how a classroom works anyway.

Q Is it freezing up here?
A Sometimes I feel like it. I think it's been around the 40s lately, it was sprinkling snow this morning, but there's not really snow here. We have a car, so that's nice. Turns out the sisters don't have any bike areas anymore cuz Sister Motzkus (Pres's wife) doesn't like having the sisters ride bikes. We like to walk when we can, and I've learned to bundle up, but I really didn't prepare for cold as well as I should have. I've been borrowing thermals and boots etc.

Q What's my area like?
A (I'm in Rocky River, OH) My area is the one right by the mission home, and apparently there is the Rocky River somewhere around here but I have yet to see it. We go right up along Lake Erie, and I saw it the other day for the first time. We don't go up there a lot, but it's beautiful. 50 miles of lake or something. But I cover the cities RR, some of Westlake, and Fairview Park. Ohio houses are really cool. Old looking, but awesome. I'll take pictures sometime.

Also, pretty much everyone here is Catholic. most actually practice too, and a large number send their kids to Catholic school. They think that excludes them from needing to hear our message. Everyone just got done observing Lent, so we kinda sorta got a glimpse of that. We also did have corned beef and cabbage at our dinner appointment on Sunday. It was alright but I wouldn't really request it.

Q When's your P-Day?
A It's Wednesdays. And I email around 10/11:00.

Q How's your mission president?
A He's cool, like most are. We're getting a new one in July so he's really feeling a lot of pressure to get the numbers up here. Apparantely it's been digressing. But we were all kinda scared of him b/c the first night we were here he told us the purpose of missionaries it to "invite others to come unto Christ, .through repentance, baptism.." and then said that if we could NOT be successful missionaries if we weren't baptizing. That was a shock
from the MTC when they stress obedience and diligence and say the opposite, but he just meant that there is always something you could be doing better if you're not baptizing. Anyway, he's doing a lot for us.

Q Do you prefer emails or letters?
A Emails are nice for random quicky stuff.but letters are always good cuz I get them anyday and they're more tangible so I'll probably find it and remember to write back. Plus, people can tell how cool I am when I keep getting letters.

[Ruthie's address:
21750 River Oaks Dr #102C
Rocky River, OH 44116]

Okay, a little about what's been going on. This last weekend was Elder Dixon from the 1st Q of 70 came and spoke at Zone Conference and Stake Conference. He's amazing and we learned a lot from him. I don't know if he really liked me, or if he kept forgetting me, but I think I shook his hand at least 6 times, and he winked at me during Stake Conference. Yeah that's right, I'm special. Before Stake Conference we had a New Members meeting
and we have one new member and another investigator (on the fence) that we brought. There Elder Dixon pointed directly at each of them as he was speaking and told them exactly what they needed. Our new convert, James was baptized a month ago. He's 85 and his wife died a year ago. We're working with him to get his family history/temple work for his wife, parents and in-laws, and that's what Elder Dixon said to do when he pointed at him. To
our investigator John, he emphasized how important baptism is and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was powerful.

We also had a new investigator at church, Viper. Yep that's his name, or what he wants his name to be.. We don't know what'll happen with him, but I have faith and he really needs the gospel in his life. We met him tracting and he looks like he has no hope for anything. He looks like he just woke up all the time, has long straggly hair, and finds no joy in life, but we've taught him 4 times and he's still keeping commitments.

We also just had a first lesson with a girl named Julie. We met her
tracting a few days ago while she was cleaning her car. After we introduced ourselves she asked if we were Mormon and explained that she's dating a Mormon guy. He lived in Minnesota and they haven't actually met, but were set up through a friend, and he's coming out in a few weeks. She said she'd been wanting to learn more about what we believe. So, we met at a members house yesterday and explained Lesson 1-Christs Church/the Apostasy/
Restoration etc. She explains she's not looking to be converted but likes to learn, but she agreed to everything. She's great and is going to come to Sacrament Mtg to see what's it like and we're teaching her again next week. We want to take her to Kirtland sometime too, so we'll see how that works out. (We can take investigators to Kirtland whenever, if they drive and it's always a really great experience for them. They're showing the Joseph Smith movie too and everyone's impressed after that.)

There's a family that the missionaries have been visiting for years that we're teaching tonight, but we're kinda skeptical of how serious they are. I haven't even met them because they keep having stuff come up, but tonights the night to see if they really want this and if they're willing to start keeping commitments. We're teaching with the AP's too, so we'll see how it goes. Well, that's mostly it for investigators.


At Zone Development Meeting we were challenged to all have a baptism in April or May, and we can do whatever we need to to accomplish that. That means we don't have to tract as much if we don't need to :) , and we can do whatever finding methods we need to implement. We're coming up with lists of fun things to get people interested, so I'm open to comment/suggestions. It's gonna be fun, and a lot of work.

We're working with a lot of less actives and a lot with James (the new convert) too. He's old, and has been having health problems on top of that. He served in 2 wars and he's been having a lot of flashbacks lately and won't go into his bedroom at night. He's slept in his armchair for days and yesterday we stopped by before going home so we tried to help him get to bed. We turned on all the lights and walked him in there and he started shaking and breathing really loud and talking about the people that come out
of the closets. It was scary. We put him in his bed and said a prayer that he would be able to feel calm and alone and that he could sleep. It hit me how hard that would be and how sad it was and I started crying and I couldn't stop. He's an amazing man, and I wish we could help him more than that, but when we left he seemed to be sleeping. It's crazy how quickly you start to care for people. That's the good part as well as the bad part or being a missionary.

I want to help everyone and make them realize how amazing the gospel is and how much it blesses your life. I know that James knows that now and I hope I can help others see that too.

Anyway, that's it for now. Time runs out quickly, but I'll update again soon.
Love you all,
Sister Ruthie Salisbury