***Here is Ben's Email. We went to Logan for a basketball tournament for Nate's team and on the way home we almost died on the icy roads. We were going 65 and did at least 2 maybe even 3 complete circles. Nothing happened to us or our car! A MIRACLE!!!! Ben talks about that and of course about basketball for Nate and Basketball tryouts for Matt. He talks about some members in his area that we got to meet and eat lunch with this past weekend. He also mentions Brent who is an inactive member who he helped and he is living back in Utah and doing great! They had a baptism for Makenzyand He talks about skyping us for Christmas. (Only 15 more days.) He also tells us about how he will start usingFacebook for missionary work soon. That is very interesting!!! Enjoy!!!***
Whaddup fam!!!
Oh my goodness gracious! You guys need to be more careful on the roads! When I come back I will do all the driving! We need someone responsible in the family! All you guys are reckless drivers!!! smh..... And yes thank you so much for the Christmas things! My favorite part is the picture tree! I have such a wonderful family!!! You are right! The picture of Hailey is probably the cutest! How could something like that descend from uncle goof?! I love reading about the games! MVP MVP MVP MVP!!! You know if I was home me and Taylor Walters would probably go ape cheering for SC basketball!!! What a great time! It's fun to hear about SR point guard Chase Jenkins! In my memory I'll always be with Ben Smith laughing at him as a funny little sophomore! What a stud though nailing the trey!!! Oh man...... Don't get me thinking sports!!!
I think the biggest lesson I learned this week was what a blessing it can be to serve others, specifically my companion. I was so grateful you sent him presents too. I'm sure his parents love him tons- but he's one of those youngest children. This week was MaKenzy's baptism!!! Makenzy is one of those cute little primary girls. I like teaching kids because it's almost like most missionaries don't remember childhood like three years ago. Boring! So I try to teach and keep em awake but yet help them gain a testimony. Long story short I've gotten close with the family and MaKenzy! She always tries to reach my high fives and we mess around and are friends. She had already told her grandma she wanted me to baptize her. But I was thinkin' about who the Lord would want to baptize her. The members we fellowshipped her family with were all older and you always want a member to do the baptism, but I didn't think she would really want that. So when we planned the baptismal program on Monday and we got the baptism she looked at me about to say it and then kinda sneaky I pointed at Elder Ferrin- the Lord wanted him to do it. So he did the baptism and I did the confirmation which is really just as special. I figure my job is to get him a taste of the water so he will stay hungry for helping people prepare for the ordinance the rest of his mission. It was the most rewarding thing to see how happy he was. I feel like the Lord blesses us so he can have good experiences. I mean what better way to start your mission than with 6 baptisms in 6 weeks and getting in the water for one. I tried to make this week about Elder Ferrin. One of the most important things for a missionary to understand is that it's their job to put the members and their companion in a position they can be successful. Then you can build some real momentum.
Brent. He's a beast!!! His phone number is a 801 area code it's probably in one of the planners I've sent home! Aren't the Francis-Millers great! I'm glad you got to meet them! I think when good members and good missionaries find each other things go a lot smoother! They are doing good things!!! That is just a taste of all the awesome people out here!!! Why don't you call the C's and set up for Skype. Bro C. is good with computers and I kinda already asked them. Make sure it's fast or there are lots of other options I have. Don't worry about it too much.
That's crazy we got so much snow!!! Of course I miss the Whitest Christmas STG has ever seen. It was in the 80's this week! I think it's going to be a great winter! Way to ball hard again Nate and Matt!!! Acceleration is a great place to practice flirting if the trainers are single (just a tip)!
Other Miracles from this week!
We started teaching a Brazilian family! Ranaldo is the dad and he remembers how he felt when missionaries taught his parents 35 years ago in Brazil. He went on line and requested us! We're teaching him again today! Holla at yo gramma!
Used Kunde's Cortes story in a training on Vision! It really helped the district so thanks a ton!
Also, something you should be aware of fam! Probably in January some time, the mission president has told me I will start to use facebook for proselyting (only some missionaries will be trusted with it). It's very safe and will be centered on the work but even so it threw me for a loop! I received some instructions I will be copying and mailing you. The prophet doesn't want us using it to socialize obviously, so what it will be used for mostly is to be more efficient clicking buttons instead of knocking doors! Also members will be more likely to cyber refer their friends than really refer- there is a lot of things it does. I want to talk a little bit about your role as my family- because yes you do now have a way you can help! First of all you have to understand that it's about them and not us. So for example. I refer 13 yr old Gator to be Matt's friend Bad example: Hey man you know my brother?! He is so fun you should let him baptize you!!!! Good example: Hey man I love basketball too! That's great you know my brother! How do you like your deacons quorum? What helps me best feel the spirit is when I...... Ya man I went through that through..... Even though I was born in the church I still had to gain my own testimony.... this is how I did it! Mom can have a hay day with all the people I say its OK for her to friend! It's going to be a change, but it's from the Lord! Fun huh?
Anyways!!! You all are the very best!!! I wish I could explain how much I love you and how loud I'm cheering for you! Life is so so good! Especially with Family, basketball and the gospel right? I'm glad you are all safe!!! I love you so so much and you are in every prayer I say. Thanks for everything!
EG
***Ben's Letter to President Berry***
This week our finding efforts were great actually! We found 9 investigators. The best part was that 2 of them were from a member referral. I feel like after so much work the members finally trust me and my companion. Our efforts come from a lot of contacting and member work. If someone gives us any glimpse of an opportunity to teach we try to take that opportunity and turn it into a reality. We treat every referral as a sacred opportunity. There are so many prepared people in this great area. It's all we can do to try to qualify for the spirit and let our Heavenly Father put the message in our hearts. We have been blessed to have seen wonderful undeniable miracles. What a energizing time to be a missionary and have opportunities to find the Lords children.
Love,
Elder Gottfredson
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