09/14/09

Aloha with clean teeth

Yep, after putting if off for about 8 months, I finally got my teeth cleaned this morning. I found out that the only problem I had was that I had been brushing one tooth too hard, and had uncovered the root a little bit, so it's been a little sensitive. But, everything else was good. Something funny though, two of the hygentists were talking before my cleaning, while waiting for the dentist (he was going to clean my teeth). Well, they start talking, and very quickly get onto the subject of breach babies (Chelsi, I spent a bit of time thinking of you). So, they continue on for a bit, talking about how to turn them, and mention some other things I didn't quite get, and then realized that neither of them had told the dentist I was there (the dentist is a member and does work free... except I had insurance so it was all good). Fortunately it only took a couple of minutes for them to figure it out, and I have a lot of older sisters and sisters-in-law, so I have heard that type of conversation before. But my teeth are clean!

The work went well this last week. It seemed that we were so busy every single day. All but Tuesday and Saturday we spent the entire day running from appointment to appointment. Elder Call is getting a lot of practice.

On Wednesday we had a fun lesson with Loretta. We wanted to read 2 Nephi 27 with her, which talks about the restoration and the Book of Mormon. Well, she launches into a rant about how the book of mormon is stupid, those people didn't care about the restoration, and we have the gall to claim these things. Eventually our fellowshipper got out of her that she had received her "answer" and that she isn't supposed to get baptized. So, we said give us a call when you want to meet, but made sure to leave her (again) with the thought that Satan works against the truth.

Thursday night we had a lesson with Isaiah, Josh, and their mom Kim. We played the Plan of Salvation board game with them. The lesson went well, and we tried to commit them for baptism afterwards. Well, Grandma (Aunty Momi) is convinced that they do not know enough to get baptized... so frustrating. We tried to convince her (and the kids' mom) that they don't have to be gospel scholars to get baptized, but she wasn't seeming to have it. Oh well. Soon. Very soon.

Friday night we had a great lesson with a kid named Rick. He is 18, and facing struggles in his life. He has a couple good friends who are great members in our ward. Well, his concerns right now are that he feels he can't be forgiven for things he has done, and is concerned about what his family will think. Well, Friday we decided to focus more on the forgiveness part (figured that it's pretty crucial), so we had a lesson on the Atonement. We started off by watching part of the Testiments when Christ is suffering and killed. Then we went over some stories and talks by the apostles, and bore strong testimony. We had a bunch of members with us, who also bore testimony. but the best part was at the end. It is hard to get elder Call involved unless he knows a specific part and I force him to teach. But, one of our fellowshippers asked him to bear his testimony and fulfill the law of witnesses. Well, he did, and it made all of the difference, and we all noticed it. It was amazing. I was so proud.

Well, after that, we sped over to Kaneohe to exchange with our ZLs for an exchange. So, saturday (the day we didn't have anything schedualed) I had one of the ZLs with me. Our goal for the day was to find a new investigator, and the Lord blessed us. We actually taught two lessons on the spot, and got one return appointment. And the one that we don't have another appointment wants to meet with us again (but she is single, so we may let the ZLs who are over the singles branch meet with her... the irony). So it was good.

Yesterday we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Waimanalo Ward/Branch. We had a combined sacrament meeting with both of our wards, and it was near chaos. They took a big group picture that I am going to try to get sent home so you can see. It was fun though. Then, we went and taught another lesson, and went into Honolulu for a fireside that one of our members performed in. Unfortunately all of our investigators fell through last minute (as in, after we were in Honolulu), but it was a good fireside. The group was very impressive. Actually one of the best blended and in-sync choirs I have ever heard. Unfortunately all of their "special guests" talked for a really, really, really, really long time and things got a little long. But overall it was really good.

Oh, one other cool thing. A gentleman in our ward just got back from basic training (where he has been for about 3-4 months). He has a nine year old daughter he wants to get baptized, so the lessons begin on Wednesday.

Remember, the Lord will never give us more than we can handle, as long as we are doing what is right and trusting in Him. That being said, He does give us a lot so that we learn to handle more.

I love you all! Keep smiling, stay safe, stay strong!

Elder Kidd