¡Feliz Año Nuevo 2018!

¿Cómo están Fonzfam?

Christmas break looks like it was a fun trip! You are surely lucky to have been able to celebrate it here in the Pacific Northwest especially along the Oregon Coast. Our video call will be something I will always remember. That was the best conversation and koo-dos to Dad for keeping it going while everybody else broke down a little. Mother's Day is only five months away and time is only going to get faster. During Christmas and a couple days after it was pretty cold here, but you probably still enjoyed the 50's that it was this last week. Right after having the "Blanca Navidad" the icy snow turned back to rain and over the next few days it warmed right up and was sunny and almost 60°! Because of this everyone was out about walking their dogs, their children, and unfortunately their cigarettes. I can tell you that both Elder Montague and I came home smelling lovely after having some good conversations with quite a few smokers this past week. Elder Montague told me how his Grandpa always said "You know you're working hard as a missionary when you smell like an addict." It's all so much fun though really being able to just walk up to someone, quickly break through the ice, and begin a conversation about religious beliefs and how we can improve ourselves. There is such power in being set apart as a missionary and I've been able to see those blessings that not only come to me but to you guys back at home.

‎We were working out of Area Book, using the "smart sort" feature, when we found a former who had been taught 88% of the principles and had come to church at least 3 times. It kind of looked like an eternigator, but she hadn't been taught in a year or so. So we called the number given and she picked right up. She was excited to hear that it was missionaries and invited us over that day. We went over and she had prepared a meal for us with a dessert. She was super kind, and as we got to know her we found out that her children are members and that she went to her grandsons baptism a year before. She said that it was beautiful, so using this we invited her to do the same. We already had a date in mind and she said that it was about time she ought to baptized. We're extremely grateful for who the Lord prepares for us to meet. We just pray that she'll be able to progress to not only the font, but to the temple.

‎Between all our investigators in our teaching pool, we have about 18 that we visit on a weekly basis. They are all so nice but all struggle with the same thing...coming to church. I've learned this over a couple months but it's easier to get someone baptized than it is to actually get them to come to church. Elder Montague and I had members lined up to give a few of our investigators a ride, but they couldn't get out of bed! Because of this we had to drop a couple of our baptismal dates, but we'll recommit them to another date as soon as they first commit to church. We definitely don't want to baptize less actives, but strong converts ready to build their testimonies. It's an ongoing battle but luckily we have God on our side.

‎During my studies this week I was studying in Deuteronomy chapter 16 pondering the topic of giving. In here it explains how we should freely give of what we are able to. We aren't expected to give more than we necessarily have, both temporally and spiritually. But we are all given blessings that we can share with others, such as our talents and time. These can be used in our callings, at home with our families, and of course with the mission work of the Lord. I encourage you to always think of ways to give more of yourself through out this next year. Even though the season of giving is over, we can strive to keep it going now til Christmas.

‎Thank you so much for your love and letters, I greatly appreciate them all and hope to continue to hear from you. Let's make it a great year!!! 2018!!!

Love,
Elder Fonnesbeck