Mormon Night at Camden Yard and Ace of Cakes!

August 22. 2010


This week was so much fun! It was a blast to spend the day with Sis. Baice on exchanges. She is having a hard time right now with her companion so it was great to be able to talk. Mormon Night at Camden Yards was so much fun! This was the first time in a year that we were able to just hang out with a whole bunch of missionaries and not get in trouble for it! The only time I watched the game was the final two plays other than that I had no clue what was going on. So many of my friends from the mission were there, some I haven't seen in about a year or so. Jane Halterman from Petersburg was there as well. We talked for a long time. In 7 weeks she is going to to the Temple. How exciting!!! I can't wait for that day. It is going to be very special.
Here is a low down of our progressing investigators:
Karl Roberson and Carrie Backert: Early last week Karl got involved in a hit and run accident while riding his bike to work. The SUV which hit Karl drove away immediately after the accident. Karl flew 40 ft over his handle bars causing him to now be in a neck brace with a bruised and swollen face. This accident humbled both of them. Carrie really wants to get baptized. She appreciates how the members have reached out to both of them in their time of need. We had such a great lesson with them. Ever since meeting with them the first time I have been confused on how to bring up the law of Chasity and the best way to explain the need for them to get married or live separately in order for Carrie to get baptized. While in Petersburg we handled this situation the wrong way which caused our investigator to get offended. Recently in some training President Belliston suggested to use the Family Proclamation to teach the law of Chasity; something I have never thought of doing. It worked!!! The lesson was extremely spiritual. While explaining that the Bishop could marry them and in a year they could be sealed in the temple the spirit entered into the room. I felt a confirmation that marriage is going to happen for them. They agreed to pray and weigh out both options then give us an answer at our next appointment. Karl has an interview scheduled with the Bishop for next week to discuss marriage and his living situation. While at church Carrie was more at ease and really enjoyed herself.

Yang Family: They are still not on date for baptism. Last night we were able to have a FHE lesson with them at the Cheung home. It was so much fun! They really enjoyed themselves. Our focus with them is to build their faith. We have completed all of the commandments and are in need of helping them realize blessings from following the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have to be patient with them, something you all know I struggle with thanks to the genes past down from Mom and Dad (I still love ya!). It is hard because as a missionary we want the results to happen fast, before we leave an area or during the transfer to say we got a baptism, but everything with the Lord has to be on His timetable, not ours. The Yangs have been prepared from day one. They enjoy everything about the church and haven't missed one single Sunday for over 2 months. We now have to get them to read and pray daily. To help them recognize answers to their prayers.

Last week we knocked into a Burmese family!!! They are letting us come back tonight! I'm so excited!!!!! This area is booming with families. In my other areas I haven't had the opportunity to teach so many families. It is tons of fun!!!!  The church is so true!
Last night we had a dinner appointment with a new family who moved into the ward. They have been in the Inner Harbor ward for two years and ended up moving just outside the ward boundaries and into our ward. They are great! It was fun to get to know them better. Their row home is the cutest! Amber you would love it! It is right in downtown Baltimore and is green on the outside. Mom guess what happens to be only a block away from them.....CHARM CITY CAKES! During dinner I mentioned my goal of finding Charm City Cakes to take a picture for mom and they said it is only a block away. So after dinner we went on a walk with them to take pictures. It is in a stone building with all of the windows covered in black paper. Nothing too unusual. The members LOVE Ace of Cakes so it was fun for them to move into the neighborhood!

Love you all!