March 11, 2013

Dear Family,

Hope everything is well!  Thanks for your letters.  I enjoy hearing from you.

We've had a good week in Highland Home.  Because of spread out appointments, we spent every day in the Highland home/Sardis area.  We've really been trying to focus on contacting less-active families.

We've had some interesting experiences eating at people's houses.  I don't know if I have ever mentioned this, but southerners LOVE mayo.  They put it on everything.  The official worst thing I have had to eat so far on my mission is pears with dollops of mayo on them, sprinkled with shredded cheddar cheese.  They call it "pear salad". (Could be much worse!!)

While in Highland Home this second time, I  have been serving as the branch pianist.  It's been a good learning experience and I've been able to expand my hymn repertoire:)

I've also had the mission violin for about 7 weeks now.  This last Sunday I did a 2nd musical number with our investigator E--- in Sacrament Meeting.  This has been a great way to help her feel like she's part of the branch.  She was kind of pushed by other missionaries into baptism.  She still has some unresolved concerns but they are being resolved, I think.  It may take her time but I'm pretty sure she'll be baptized in the next year or so.  For some people it just takes time.

B---'s (an investigator) brother has had surgery this last week, and it has kind of limited our opportunities to teach them.  Setting a baptism date with her is just going to take sitting down and asking her.  She already believes in the church and as been reading "Our Heritage" and the Book of Mormon.  Our toughest thing teaching them will be finding time that works--they are very involved people.

Next time you hear from me will probably be after our transfer instruction calls!  We get a whole ton of new sisters this transfer so there will be a lot of changes.  Both Elder Cusick and I have been here in the area 4 transfers now, so really anything could happen.

Well, sorry this is short!  I want to get  this out in the Tuesday mail so you can get it on Friday.  How are y'all doing in your Book of Mormon Reading?  Still alive?  (mission is reading the entire book of mormon by the 6 of April. They started in Jan and every family was invited to participate with their missionary).

Love you!

Elder Coleman Madsen