Gravy, Seth, miraculous find, powerful conversions, strange behavior, discouragements: some understandable and one that isn't

I was just thinking about that gravy, chicken, and biscuits the other day. Maybe because of that gravy you sent me in my package. I was just finishing off those mashed potatoes this weekend. They were much better than I had expected. As if they were home made. Betty Crocker really knows how to get it done.

That's pretty crazy about Seth's situation. Life can keep you on your toes with stuff like that. Stay prayerful and I'm sure we'll all figure out God's hand in this. I think it'll give Seth a stronger character no matter the outcome. Everyone needs some life defining events. And I'm sure as everyone continues to show him love, it'll be a positive life defining event.

Just recently there was a member from Walukuba that moved and is now in Nsambya branch. She had a hard time finding the church the first few weeks, but is now coming. She's seems to be very excited about the gospel. She was contacted and taught just after I had left the area. But one day this week we were proselyting and we just got lost. We were pretty deep into Nabutiti and kept finding dead ends in the highly mud slums of this valley. Finally we got out and found some decent places to knock. We went into the first complex we found and passed the first three doors, for reasons I can't really remember, and went straight up to the fourth door. We started talking to the people, and then behind was Christine, the member from Walukuba. I greeted her and asked where she came from, where she stays. She pointed to the very door we were at. She thought we came to see her. Well, we didn't but I'm pretty sure there was a reason we miraculously found her house of the thousands of tiny homes through that labyrinth valley. She happens to be staying with her Uncle’s family who aren't members. So I figure that's a good place to start.

Vincent was baptized on the 6th and confirmed yesterday. He's been showing some pretty serious sacrifices through his conversion and I hope that he'll stay strong. He seems to be a really good guy. Now we're really looking forward to the baptism of Keny Armstrong and his family. Powerful. I already bought their care package of books after they get baptized. They'll be good.

There was this family that came to church. Titus (Dr.) his wife, and daughter. They never came back except the daughter. She told us that if her parents found out that they would make her leave the house. Well, she stopped coming also. We went to their house, and Titus asked us to not come back again. But for some weird reason we keep meeting his two sons at night. Every time it's been Elder Mabaso randomly deciding to contact two guys in the dark, not knowing who they are, and they end up always being the two sons of Titus. It's happened four times now. And the last time it happened was five minutes after we met the mother getting on a taxi. I wish I knew exactly what the problem is. The family seems ready, especially their daughter. Something is stopping them, but something is making us to keep in contact with them as well. I don't know what to think.

Not coming to pick me up over a discouragement that isn't conceivable is beyond me. Maybe it's just a discouragement because it doesn't apply to all missions. I just remember the first time I had an interview with President Duke he very excitedly told me it was fine for you to come. If it's because of money, I understand. If it's because of a discouragement, I want to know why. Let me know if you want me to get a President Christensen quote on this one.

CES gave a presentation on Sunday. That boy Hagard of the less active Juliette memorized Jeremiah 16:16 and gave his testimony about it. Pretty powerful for his second time at church. But he's been going to the seminary classes throughout the week. It’s too bad they might be sending him to boarding school. Boarding school really disturbs the progression of the church here. The general authorities have been speaking against it. That and dowry. They're not commandments, just "discouragements." One's that I do understand though

Have a great week.
ZAC