Dad's Letter

Hey Dad,

 So things went pretty well this last week. We had another lesson with Julian last night, and he's going to be baptized on November 5th! The lesson went really well, we taught him the plan of salvation, but before we started the lesson we just talked for 5ish minutes about whatever and it lead to him talking about his mothers death some years ago(I have no idea how it lead to that point), which was perfect for the lesson! The spirit was really strong during the entire lesson, and he already had a basic knowledge of most of the plan of salvation. We pretty much just went over the whole plan and explained each part of it, then at the end of the lesson we extended the baptisimal invitation and he accepted a baptisimal date of the 5th of November. So thats way exciting, and he came to all 3 hours of church yesterday which helped him understand alot more. So that was the highlight of the week, we also had a couple more lessons/meetings with Michele. We finished up the details of her baptismal program and she had her baptism interview with one of the zone leaders during exchanges on thursday. That was good, she passed, so her baptisms this Saturday. So thats super exciting! We arent doing the ordinance, she wants one of the members to baptize her. This member and his wife have helped fellowship her and help her move in and help with the process of her progression. Ill be sure to take pictures with her though. We had exchanges this last Thursday. It went good, the zone leader came down from Soldatna and did the interview with Michele and Elder Butler went up to Soldatna for the day. It was sweet because I finally got to drive the truck for the first time on my mission. But exchanges went well, theyre always fun. Overall this week went pretty good, alot of tracting, we had more service, we did sheet rock on this guys house, then helped put in a septic system at this other guys house that hasnt had running water for 20 years! Its crazy! 20 years without running water! Also, we helped the pratt museum put up their moose fence around their garden. And I found out that Sam Pratt was the founder of the museum, not sure if hes related to us or not, mom wanted to know. And weve gotten a few more referrals, so hopefully those turn out to be investigators. But that was pretty much the week, just trying to stay busy serving the lord.  

Now to answer your questions. I did finally get my coat, its way nice and fits good, its perfect. Im not sure whether or not the sorels will be good, Ill double check and see if theyre good in -40 weather or whatever. I was just getting my size so I could tell you guys about what size I take. The size that fit me was 11 just so you know.  And we didnt eat that sage grouss last week. He kept it and we went back to the apartment and then finished up the rest of the day. But its alright because one of the last times we ate at their house we ate some of that sage grouss stuff. Its ok. And Its just starting to get kinda cold. In the mornings theres always frost and we have to scrape the car windows. Its probably in the 30s in the morning. Then it might warm up a little bit into the 40s. So its getting chilly. Theres not a whole lot to do on pday. What we usually do is email in the morning, drop off our laundry at a members house, go grocery shopping,  then try and find something to do. Usually we go to like the Salvation Army thrift store or the trading post which is pretty much just a pawn shop, or we shop for things we need unless we get to actually do something fun. Like that fishing was fun, but thats the last time I will be able to do it on my mission, so thats no more. Then we went hunting, that was ok, we were pretty much just company because we couldnt shoot any guns or anything. Then weve gone on a hike down to the beach before, that was fun. The beach has black sand instead of white sand like cayman. Weve gone and visited one of the russian villages too. That was kindof cool. Its kind of crazy, the older village is right on the beach and the only way you can get there is down this road that varies between like a 45ish degree slope and almost flat. So that was kind of cool, you cant actually go into the old russian village unless youre a russian orthadox, and they have a sign that says if you tresspass you will be shot. Theyre pretty secretive people for the most part. But thats pretty much it for pdays. I cant really think of anything else weve done besides what needs to be done each week. But you can do the stuff weve done, or go for a drive, or hikes, or shop, or play sports, or whatever you can think of I guess. 

Its good that everyones doing good. Bummer that the dekkers health is getting worse, Ill keep them in my prayers for sure. And we can definitely see the difference from everyones prayers. Thanks. But it sounds like everythings going pretty good. Whats britts new address? Its good that BYUs doing better and it sounds like the new change of QB might be good. That was a good trivia question too, and good insight on the melches. priesthood! Thanks. Sorry I didnt take any new pictures since last week, Ill have some baptism pictures next monday for you guys. Anyways, I gotta go. I love you!

Love Elder Ashton Roney