16APR08

This P-day went way too fast... its almost 4 pm, I feel like its 11... man, these days fly by.
I've been in Kalispell for over a month now... time flies
We are doing great... everything is fantastic. We just had a baptism, we will have 3 more next week, and then soon after that, we should have 3 more(one 9 year old boy, and two 20 something brothers that have been reading on their own before they even met us) it is neat to see prepared people come into our lives as we pray for them.

We are having a young woman, named Crystal, come out to lessons with us a lot! She got home from her mission recently. She was serving in South Africa, and when they took the sisters out, she was sent to California. SHE IS THE BEST MISSIONARY EVER. I can't even begin to explain the spirit that she carries with her. This must be what you guys are seeing in the sisters back home, she is just outstanding.

Last night she joined me and a kid preparing for his mission to give a lesson to a less active girl. We had a great lesson snd the spirit was SUPER STRONG. We read part of Alma 32, and the Spirit told me what to say, she needed to hear what the gospel could do for her. I told her that just like it says in 32, she could grow a tree, but she has to try it... but when she does it, her life will have new meaning, she will be happier, more sure of herself, and filled with patience and love. I had her Dad share his testimony, the Young Man shared testimony, and then I sealed it with mine... the spirit touched her so much that when I asked, "would you like the lessons again?" She just blurted out "YES!"
Experiences like that make you want to work even harder.

Another quick story, right after that, Crystal said "Elder Greenhalgh, if we have time, I feel like we should go talk to someone." So we went to visit a family friend that she hadn't seen since her mission. He was awesome, such a nice guy, WAY SMART... doing work for the government, doing these ENORMOUS equations, no numbers involved, you know it has to be advanced math if you can't understand any of the characters in the equation. Crystal bore her solid testimony, filled the room with her love and spirit... the spirit entered in, and her friend started to say why he couldn't take the lessons right now... like once he is less busy he will be more likely to listen. She just kept strong saying "you need this in your life." After a while, when he had left the room, she said "All right Elder Greenhalgh, it’s your turn to talk" I said a quick prayer to help me say what I should say. And then I bore my testimony that I know its truth, and told him “you are busy, BUT the gospel comes to people when GOD wants it to happen. Crystal came over here tonight for a reason, she knows by the spirit what to do. You may be busy, but when God stretches out His hand to do something for you, don't refuse it. I'm going to pray about a chapter of the Book of Mormon for you to read, and to pray about. Promise me that when you do this, and when God gives you the feeling to say that this is truth and is important, that you will not brush it off, but that you will grasp it, and bind yourself to your prayers, and the answers that God gives you" He promised, the spirit was there, and then he said the best thing I think I have ever heard. He said "Elder, I will, I know you mean it. I can see it in your eyes".... I know it wasn't me that he saw in my eyes, it was the spirit. The scriptures talk about how the eyes are the light of the whole body. But, it was just so amazing to know that I was able and worthy to be the vehicle, along with Crystal, to bring the spirit into his home, and to make a convincing statement by the word of God. It was great.
Those are the things I live for...

Have a great week

Tell the Sisters that I love them, and thank them from me, for helping my family.

Love,
Elder Greenhalgh