So blessed!

Hey family!

We have had a very blessed week this week! I couldn't decide what to fast for yesterday since we had already had so many tender mercies this week, so Sister Glancy and I settled for a "gratitude fast." :)

We found 3 new investigators this week!!! One of them is James, the guy who showed up to church out of nowhere two weeks ago. We had our first lesson with him, and it went really well. He said the closing prayers and if you can picture his way southern accent said "Thank ya for sendin me the good book of the mormons. And thank ya for the missionaries knockin on ma door. I took it as ma callin to come back. " Unfortunately James didn't come to church yesterday even though he said that he was going to, and he hasn't replied to our text, so we're hoping everything is alright there. Keep him in your prayers!

Another new investigator is Cornell. Cornell is a way chill African American guy who just got back from deployment. We all sat in a circle on his living room floor since he doesn't have any furniture yet, and it was a powerful restoration lesson! He seems very agreeable and open to everything so now we just have to see if he is willing to keep commitments!

We also contacted a former from our area book named Gabriel. Gabe is a little bit of a punk. At least he acts that way, but he definitely doesn't fool me, he's got a soft interior  Gabe just passed his GED and is joining the Navy, so he is moving to Texas in a few weeks. We're hoping that our lessons before then will be filled with the spirit so that he will want to continue his investigation when he moves there.

Miracle time! On Saturday we had planned to spent most of the afternoon and evening in Everett, which is where Ram lives. I'm not sure if you remember Ram, but he's an Indian investigator that the elders passed off to us when we first got here. We've struggled to keep frequent contact with Ram in recent weeks, and we've struggled to feel like we're really reaching him, especially since we're not sure just how much of a language barrier is there. Last week we were going to stop by one more time and Sister Glancy and I were debating about weather or not we should move him to formers if he wasn't there. Ram's parents answered the door and invited us in immediately.The mom, Avathar, told us over and over again that she needed us to help Ram, as he has had some Word of Wisdom issues that have been causing grief for their family. We took that as our answer that we shouldn't give up hope on Ram just yet. Well anyways, on Saturday we got a call out of the blue from Ram saying "My mom wants me to tell you that I am home for you to come see me." We really believe that Avathar was moved by the spirit to contact us, because we went to talk to Ram and for the first time Ram really opened up to us. Avathar sat us down and said in her thick Indian accent, "He is your younger brother. You are his elder sisters. Please, help him." We were so stunned (and the Elders too when they found out) to learn that Ram actually is not YSA. He left a wife and 8 month old baby in India when he and his family came here, and he's not sure when he will see them again. He's suffered a lot of depression recently, which is why he has felt lonely and turned to smoking and marijuana to try to find happiness. He showed us pictures of his family, and the minute i saw the picture of his beautiful wife and little girl, the spirit filled me instantly. it was like Heavenly Father was allowing me to be in Ram's shoes, and I could feel just how much love ram has for his family. We shared our love and our testimonies of our Heavenly Father's love with Ram and Avathar, and it was one of the most powerful moments I have experienced since coming to this area.

For my study the last few weeks I have started the Book of Mormon over, but I have started with a blank copy of the Book of Mormon and I have been marking all of the promises find. I just finished 1 Nephi today. Some of these promises are conditional. For example, 1 Nephi 16:28- through faith and diligence (and also action- Nephi is a great example of ACTING, rather than being acted upon) we will receive personal revelation and guidance. Other promises I have found are not conditional, they are simply given to us because we have a Heavenly Father and Savior who love us. (1 Nephi 21:16- I think about how often we use our hands. Jesus Christ has a constant reminder of His love for us on his hands. How often does He look at His hands, and think about you and about me?)

Love ya!

Sister Slade

P.S. Sister Anderson just sent me an email- apparently Sandra showed up to church yesterday in Oak Harbor!!!! They have an appointment with her on Thursday. I sent her a long letter about 2 weeks ago. Please keep her in your prayers!!!