I Love This Kid a Ton

 Sorry mom about the horribly short email last week. But in my defense I was so sick I really just sat up on my chair typed that and then laid back down on the grown in the library and puked into a garbage can that I was holding. There really was nothing more that I could write. The best way that I think I can describe the sickness that I had was probably a man cold mixed in with a little bit of the black plague with a sprinkle of absolutely horrible pnuemonia. Nothing for the faint of heart I can assure you. The good news is I am back to skinnier than I was before my mission since I lost a solid 15 pounds. No worries mom we are planning on going to an asian buffet today so I should be able to gain about half of that back by 2:00 this afternoon.

     The other big news this week is that I am getting transfered to Frogtown. I went from the ghetto part of St.Paul to THE GHETTO part of St.Paul and I am actually way excited. I am pretty sad about leaving Eastside because their are so many cool people here and there are so many investigators and less actives that I am going to miss but my new companion will be Elder Meyer and he is an absolute stud as a missionary. He has been out for about 1 year and a half and is really hitting his prime so I am excited to see how that goes.

       So now for the miracle of the week. His name is investigator K and he is probably my favorite person in the whole entire world. When he told me his life's story I almost started crying (I know I am a wuss) because he really has had one of the hardest lives I have ever heard. His mom kicked him out of the house so he went to go live with his dad who is an alcoholic and addicted to some pretty heavy drugs. Also his grandma and her boyfriend live there and they are doing shaman stuff just about every weekend which is pretty hard on him. When his mom kicked him out of his house he had to walk around and sleep in parks and he started hallucinating because of lack of food and sleep (he said he was just daydreaming but by the way he described it I'm pretty sure he was hallucinating) but he said it was summer so at least he wasn't to cold. He is only 13 and is like the smartest kid ever though. He built his own computer and does way good in school. His dad and grandparents only speak hmong but he can't speak it so he doesn't even talk to them at all.

     Anyways so that is his background. We found him one day tracting and honestly when he opened the door I thought to myself, oh boy this will be a tuff one. He looked so sad and was shy but he let us in. We taught him the restoration and it went ok. Towards the end of the lesson he said something to me that I will probably never forget, "I like the way that you guys smile, it makes me happy and I haven't been happy for a really long time." It showed me how important it is to smile and be happy so that your investigators can feel your testimony. After that we invited him to pray to ask if Heavenly Father is there and the strongest spirit came into the room. After the prayer he paused and said, "What is happening, my body is getting all warm and I feel super light. I feel like I could run a marathon. What is this?" We then explained to him very clearly that Heavenly Father just told him that He is there and that He loves him. I have never seen a 13 year old boy smile like that after we told him that. It truly was a modern day miracle and I will never forget that day. He is planning to be baptized on March 1 and has already completely changed. At first in our lessons we couldn't get him to say a word now all he does is laugh and talk so much it is hard to teach him anything but I don't even care because he really has changed so much and I love this kid a ton.

     I hope that after I leave Eastside he will continue to progress and be able to become a member of this church and come unto Christ. Things are going really well here now and I am feeling so much better. Honestly I haven't felt this good so far on my mission and I feel like really good things are about to happen. After having been stuck in my bed for 2 days all I want to do is run around with a giant microphone yelling that the Church of Jesus Christ is back and you can have eternal salvation through the Savior and His Atonement. I didn't because I don't want to end up being one of those old guys who walks around with a sign and everyone thinks is crazy but I thought about it.

      Love you all and I hope you are all doing super well.

                            Love Elder Henrie

The boy K

 Me eating with a less active couple and we are eating some super spicy pho. It doesn't even phase them its so sad.

P.S. Mom and Dad you should both buy a picture of Christ and hang it up in our home. I have noticed more than ever on my mish how much Satan tries to destroy families and the only way to stay strong is Christ. I want you guys to send me a picture of it hanging up in our home next week. You'll be blessed I promise.

P.P.S. Tanner I'll believe that extra 30 pounds of muscle when I see it. Also we are having a benching competition right when I get back and I still have my badge on. There is no way that you will beat me when I've got missionary power.

P.P.P.S. Tell Libby thank you so much for her letter that she sent me on Christmas and tell her when I get back from my mission maybe me and her can buy a german sheppard together. Also tell her I hope that her dog she has right now is doing well and that I think it's really cool.