March 17, 2010

Hola!
It's great to hear that everything is going well at home! We have had a great week.
We woke up at 3:00 on saturday morning because we had to leave on a bus at 430 from southern calgary to get to the conference with Elder Bednar. It was a wonderful experience. He was traveling with Elder Jay E. Jenson from the presidency of the seventy and so we got to hear a little from both of them. The meeting lasted from about 8 until 11 and then we loaded back on the buses and headed back to Calgary. It really ended up being a 3 hour question and answer session, with the questions and comments focused on the reading of the two talks that we had been assigned. He basically led a discussion that allowed us all to learn by faith and through the Holy Ghost. I know that I had several questions that I recieved personal answers to. The teaching setting was an example of what we needed to be doing with our investigators adn throughout our Gospel teaching in our lives. He talked some as well about how the teaching pattern that is established in Preach my Gospel should also be an example for our future homes and family home evenings. Overall, I left with a stronger determination to make my personal prayers more meaningful by praying for specific strength, help, and answers; and then going to work to do all I can. We were all able to shake Elder bednar and elder jenson's hands afterwards. As we began to get up and prelude music started, our mission president's wife couldn't stop crying. I know that president and sister archibald have had a little bit of a rough time with some of the missionaries over their first year. But, a special spirit could be felt in the meeting. The elders in the mission have really went through a change and I could tell that she really couldn't be any prouder of us after the meeting. Great things really are happening in the mission as we become more obedient and unified. Last I heard, we're on track to get 100 baptisms this month. Last month, there was 17 in the mission and I'm sure the growth will continue to happen. My companion was really the only one that got a hug from Elder Bednar. I don't know if i've mentioned, but elder galloway's dad is going throuhg chemotherapy and cancer treatment and was diagnosed not too long before he left to come on the mission. It's hard for him to find out in weekly emails how his dad is doing, but he's such a great example of a positive attitude and a dedicated servant. When we walked up, elder bednar said: elder, how is your dad doing. It was an emotional moment. We don't know how elder bednar found out, but just that simple question was something that i think he really needed and was a gift from a loving Heavenly Father that knows what he's going through.
i would tell you more about some of the stuff elder bednar said, but we're not supposed to. he said that sometimes things get mixed up through the grapevine and he'll get quoted online in a wrong context. it was a wonderfully spiritual experience to be in the presence of an ordained apostle.
he also used the words stupid and trunky, so i guess those words aren't bad.
the work continues to progress. transfers are next week and i think i'll probably get transfered because i've been here for 7.5 months. but, i love the area and we're working with some great new investigators that i'd love to stay and work with. it'll be hard to switch areas.
one of our miracles for this week is we decided to walk one afternoon that was a nice day so that we could get out and talk to more people. as we were walking, we met a couple getting out of their cars. the lady was a member that is inactive and was baptized a couple years ago. she told us that she had moved around a lot recently but was trying to get in contact with the missionaries again so that she could baptize her 9 year old son. she also wanted to start going back to church. they speak english, but i know that the Lord had placed us on that street at that moment. we were able to set up an appointment for the english elders to stop by the next day at noon.
we have a talent night coming up soon that should really be a great activity to meet new people. the stake president came and spoke last sunday and challenged each auxillary presidency to have a new non member at an activity every week whether it be church, a missionary lesson in their home, or a dinner. the stake presidency is going to be calling them to follow up with them. elder galloway and i couldn't help but give each other a little high five during church. the stuff that is going on really is great.
over the next two weekends, there's 8 baptisms rigth now in the ward scheduled. so, it should be an exciting time.
i love and miss you all!
con amor,
elder dunlap