Off To Wisconsin

   That's right everyone, I am off to Wisconsin. Transfers was posted today and I found out that I will be serving in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. When I found out this morning I was so shocked but I also felt that it is right for me. My companion's name is Elder Hardy and he was serving in the Hmong branch with me for 2 transfers so I already know him pretty well. He is a really good missionary and also way funny so I am excited. I am sad to be leaving the Hmong branch here because of all the success that Elder Meyer and I had but I think that it will also be such a great opportunity for me. Elder Hardy and I will be opening up a new area and doing full Hmong work which will be really fun. There was a thriving Hmong branch out in Eau Claire around ten years ago but I guess it fell apart. There is a lot of Hmong people there so I am sure it will be an exciting experience.

    Things went really well this past week and there was so many eye opening experiences when I just had to stop and say to myself, "I can't believe that just happened." For some reason when you're on a mission the Lord kind of makes you forget that your only 18 years old and your serving as a marriage counselor, depression therapist, english teacher, and many other callings as well. I don't know how missionaries have the capacity to do it all but I guess through the Spirit anything is possible. The one experience that made me think all of this was a lady named P. She is the mom of our investigators A&E who are the 12 and 13 year old boys who were going to get baptized a few weeks ago but their mom said no. A little background on P. She is 35 has 7 kids, smokes, her husband beats her, fully shaman, put up one of her kids for adoption, 3 other kids live with her in laws, 2 kids under 4, and unemployed. Needless to say there was quite the mountain in front of us as we walked into her appartment to check up on how she was doing. As we sat down she expressed to us that she now feels as though there is nowhere for her to go in life. The in laws were not letting her see her kids anymore and she had to continue living with her 2nd husband even though he was abusive because she had no other way to pay for the 2 younger kids food. (this is why I mentioned how inadequate I feel as an 18 year old trying to solve other people's problems.) I decided to ask her, Are you worried that you and your family will not be able to be together again because of all the problems you are facing? She said yes. My companion said, " What affect will this have on your children growing up without their mother?" She looked so sad and couldn't really give an answer. We then testified to her that Christ is there to lead her and that through His teachings she and her family could be together forever. We read 2 Nep 32:3 which says Feast upon the words of Christ for the words of Christ will show you all things which you should do. We then asked her how could Christ's words help lead her and her family to happiness? She bore a powerful testimony of her own about Christ and His love for her and her family. I then realized what a missionary is there to do. He is not there to bear his own testimony but rather to help investigators testify themselves of how the gospel can bless them. Bearing a testimony is an act of faith and faith always leads to repentence. After she bore her testimony the Spirit was so strong in that little brokendown appartment. At that moment she knew that this was the way. We invited her to begin learning from the missionaries and she accepted with a smile on her face. The mother who just a few weeks earlier had told my companion and I that there was NO WAY! her sons were getting baptized, is now on that path herself. What a miracle.

     Mom tell Steve Gasik's family that I love him. I will never forget that he taught me the 5 P's. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. A principle that is very true in missionary work. I really loved him and always loved to hear his stories about the air force and his testimony at young men's camps. Also his son Steven is a huge example to me. Tell Suzy these exact words, "Vid-E, you are an absolute stud and I know the people of Montreal are about to get hit by a wave of awesomeness. Get ready for the best 18 months of your entire life." To Dallas Heiner- "You are the bees knees. I will never forget all the awesome times we had. The people of Guatemala are lucky to have a man like you."

     I am glad everyone is doing well back home and that Youth Conference went well. There are so many heros still alive today. I get to be with them everyday of my life as I watch missionaries sacrifice nearly everything to bless the lives of complete strangers. Tanner... Happy Birthday you crazy awesome brother. Tell James Batman says hi and tell Libby that I want to be in her Nature Club. Love you all and all is well.

                                      Elder Henrie

Sorry Dad I forgot to tell you. I cant use names. President's rules.

Elder Meyer and I in a hail storm

 

The Corner of Marshall and Kent Street. Yeah I know best place ever. I am going to live here when I'm older.

 

The daughter of our investigator J. She is the funniest little girl ever.