September 12, 2011

Thank you for writing me it does mean a ton and I really appreciate it. The package is still lasting, but I only have one packet of Kool-Aid left. Everything else has been history. I got a yo yo too and I use that every once in a while. It certainly is a major boost for motivation. The winter months will be cold but I will endure. I got myself a big warm jacket that will keep me warm. Best thing, it was free because I we started going through the leftover pile of old missionary close and I found this great jacket and threw it in the wash. Plus with those boots that mom got me I should do ok. Now just about my hands, ill figure it out.

Yes the Church history tour was great, Ill send you some pictures today. I think about all the faithful saints that came from England and how they helped the church grow, its just amazing to me. I find it funny when people out here tell us to take our "American" church back home when most of the members who supported were from the UK. The day will come when I have to move on from Rossendale but I will show my faith and willingness to serve in this wonderful area and press on till the end.

This week was great, and as each week seems to pass they just keep getting faster and faster. It is a weird feeling. I have had a few great experiences this week. One of which I will share is about my exchange with Elder Dittmer (my zone leader). It was my first exchange that lasted longer than a day. In fact it was nearly forty-eight hours. I really enjoyed it. I learned so much from him and he is such a great missionary. One thing I learned from him, that I have been working on for a while now, is how to teach simply. He is real good at it and I asked him how and he said "because I had to learn the language so all I knew at the beginning of my mission was how to use simple words". He also said to try to personalise the message to them by finding out their interests and hobbies. So I have been using that and it is quite affective.

     I also had a "Sunday night miracle", as Elder Rapata and I called it. Last night about 8:15 we met a man named Andy. He was just strolling along on his BMX bike and we started talking to him. Asked if he would have time just to sit on a near by bench and chat for a while. The lesson we had was great. He has had a few challenges in his life and he is very understanding about why these things happen. Also, because of this he was such a humble person and was accepting to the message, in fact he was so receptive to the spirit he recognised it twice (once in the first vision and also when he said the closing prayer) and described it as a "funny feeling". I could really say that this man has been prepared for the restored gospel. He is willing to make commitments and we are so excited to see him tonight.

Pete seems to have taken a break from us. We tried to contact him but we couldn't get a hold of him. We ran into him yesterday and he said he is still interested. So we decided to invite him to have dinner with us and slowly work it back into shape and get him going in the lessons again. So he seems to be doing ok. Pete and Andy are now our main focus.

     I have also had a bit of my personal study focused on Forgiveness. It is the topic I chose for the week. I noticed the first thing True to the Faith teaches is that we must seek for forgiveness from the Lord and also to forgive. I think that it is important to always seek to repent and also to seek to forgive others. So I will be applying that to my missionary work.

Well I hope your week goes great. I will be enjoying the weather here the next few days now that we have the remnants of that hurricane that hit in New York. 80 mph winds they say. Take care, love you all.

Elder Tucker Corbin