Shandie Moves and the Gospel Connects People, Jan. 26, 2015

Hey Mamma,

That is crazy that the house got broken into! Scary. I'm glad none of you were hurt or there when the burglar was there. And glad to hear nothing was stolen.  And congrats on being the new Relief Society 2nd counselor! And that your visiting teaching lady's husband wants to take the missionary discussions! That is sweet. I am happy to hear that missionary work is going on in our very own ward. And say goodbye to John Hille for me. I love that family. Ryan Moehle and I would home teach them before the mission, and they were awesome. 

This past week we had some great experiences. Yesterday we were able to teach mission prep for the Queen Creek West stake. It was awesome to see the excitement these youth had to be good missionaries. We made them role-play teaching about the Book of Mormon to each other, and it was great to see them struggle to teach. Knowing the gospel is very different than to teach it to a person not of our faith! Haha their struggle reminded me of myself when I attended mission prep and when I first entered the MTC. You have to be humble in order to learn how to teach!

Bunch Gbondo is ready to go for baptism this Saturday! We are super excited for him. On Friday he and his uncle (Bro. Edison Suah) came with us to teach. Bunch dressed up like a missionary and we gave him a future missionary name tag. Haha he looked so sharp. He bore his testimony of how God answers prayer and why he wants to be baptized. It was awesome to see an 11-yr-old have such excitement to be a missionary! 

This week was also very hard because a family I have been teaching since about September is moving. Shandie Varela and her kids, Kaylee, Jesus, and Shaylee are all moving to a women's shelter. Shandie's husband was put in jail for drugs and violence, and they are moving away from him. He no longer has any parental rights in regards to his children. It is sad to see this broken family move, but they are excited for a new start and they plan to meet with the missionaries at their new home and they plan to be baptized. We helped them move on Saturday and we have one last lesson with them tomorrow. I will greatly miss them!!!

Serving a mission has helped me connect with people in a way I never imagined was possible. Even though I have only known these families for a short time, I feel as if we have been friends for years. The gospel brings people closer than any other topic of interest. The Spirit connects people more than any other hobby, recreation, or conversational topic. I love these people and I love seeing them grow together. I am very grateful to be a part of each of their lives. 

Thank you for all your love and support!!! Have a great week!!

-Elder Lambert

Me, "Elder Bunch Gbondo", and Elder Furse.