Simple and humble

Well everyone, it was a pretty good week. Hope yours was splendid.
One event sticks out in my mind for the week. We were going to meet
with a recent convert who I will call Jane. Her son Kyle who is 12
hasn't been baptized and she was baptized in August. We were planning
on talking about faith with Kyle and why that is important. As we went
we taught, and then we asked a question to Kyle, he responded, then
instead of us following up with teaching his Mom further explained the
principle in very simple and wonderful terms. She was very humble, and
simple, but it went really well.

This taught me a few things, one that we over complicate the Gospel of
Jesus Christ too often(at least I do). It isn't meant to e something
only the most knowledgeable people should understand, but all. Prior
to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there was a lack of
information regarding the teachings of Jesus Christ, which led to lots
of confusion and contention. Nowadays, it is somewhat the opposite,
there is an immense amount of information in the world. This vast
amount of information can distract us from that which is most
important. Elder Faust counseled that we need to filter out the static
generated by Satan. As we have a bedrock understanding of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ(Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the
Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End) we will be able too withstand the
trials, and tests that will come to us in life.(President Nelson)
Second is that Gospel of Jesus Christ is best taught within the home.
For those that understand the Gospel of Jesus Chris, seek to see it
more in your life. For those that feel they are lacking, turn to the
scriptures, primarily the Book of Mormon and as you learn and live the
Gospel of Jesus Christ you will find peace in this life and eternal
life in the world to come.

No crashes this week which was good to report. Hope things are going
well for each of your where ever each of you are. Your Heavenly Father
is looking over you, look for his hand in your life.
Love
Elder Smith

Does a sleeping member still count for a member present

Happy Christmas sock day! We also had district meeting, which in preparation for...I learned a lot about Accountability and what it is really about. That was definitely good to learn...it was a little different of district meetings...but I think it went good. Everyone is good at participating, which I am grateful for. After that we planned the day and it was kind of hard because Elder Davis couldn't really ride his bike because of his leg hurting. We also got Shun Xing for lunch...and I think they are from Hong Kong there...because the characters are traditional, and they were speaking...and it sounded like Cantonese...but I still need to ask. Regardless I got GongBaoJiDing it was really good(thanks for the Halloween treat mom =))

That afternoon we were able to go out with Brother Heck, tried to visit the Cunninghams, they weren't there. So we went to visit Cynthia...we were a bit early...but it was a weird lesson. Started with Brother Heck describing living in an 1832 house...and then saying how it was haunted by little girl ghost...and they discussed that for a bit...which was weird. However, we eventually got into the lesson. Which was really good, focused on faith and the Word of Wisdom, and Cynthia(without us really pressuring her) has been decreasing the amount of her coffee intake...and she sees in the future never drinking it again. Which it pretty cool. We discussed how to be obedient, and know when we are off the right path. We then showed the Patterns of Light video part II. She really really liked that, it touched her when it talked about thoughts of her mom or grandma telling her when she is going astray...it was quite special...she is really great and a special person.

We were able to talk a bit about her daughters and bringing them to the trunk or treat, and she is willing to do that so hopefully that will help them. Oh also...in the middle somewhere...Brother Heck fell asleep for a good amount of time...and I wasn't really sure what to do...but he woke up and things worked out. We returned home, Brother Heck shared some taxi driving stories that were kind of crazy and funny...he definitely has an interesting life...a great man though.
-Elder DoesASleepingMemberStillCountForAMemberPresent?