Sleep Talking : Heidelberg Week 8

June 6, 2016

Hello Mom and Dad,

Lots of things going on at home, it sounds like they changed everyone's callings at home [Dad Note: Several leadership positions changed in Hayden’s home Ward]. Things are calming down for summer as well. Parker! That's exciting, all of the Bolivian members who I know here are a lot of fun. (Maddy is in the Cochabamba Mission) [DN: Hayden’s friend Parker N will be leaving for a Mission in Bolivia].

Spanish is coming along well, still a lot of fun, still an adventure. I look forward to speaking Spanish during the day and Elder Clemente tells me that I talk in Spanish and German in my sleep. All of my companions have told me that I talk in my sleep, the funny things that you learn about yourself on a mission- or accept in this case- I didn't believe Taylor when I was growing up about my sleep talking haha.

Nope, we haven't gotten any travel updates. I've still heard the 16th from some and the 22nd of December from others.

News.. Sister Alves and Elder Moore arrived here talking the places of Elder Taylor (different Elder Taylor) and Sister Pettitt who just went home. Elder Moore came out with my group and Sister Alves' group of Sisters is coming home with us. She speaks Spanish, Portuguese, German and English, so that will be cool for her being able to interact with the Spanish and German wards. Elder Clemente translated last week at stake conference and this week again at parts of the Multi-stake conference that we had. Draining, but he likes it too.

This week we had lots of things fall out and some really interesting lessons. The spirit was really powerful and we felt really supported and knew that we were doing what God needed us to do. One of those lessons was with our Bulgarian friend Mr A, he spent about a year in Spain so we speak Spanish with him. It's still a struggle and we use Google translate as well. We met at a train station (more like stop) for this appointment and as he walked down the sunny platform towards us he looked kind of sad. We both had the thought that he wanted to say goodbye and not meet with us anymore. Thank you, Spirit. Mr A had brought his Book of Mormon in Bulgarian and wanted to give it back. His wife and brother don't like it and wanted him to give it back. The funny thing is, that they don't know at all what's inside, if we can say "don't judge a book by it's cover" now is the time. They are worried that it's all about Mormon or something like that, and they prefer the Bible. I understand, respect and appreciate love for the Bible, I love the Bible (more the New Testament to be honest), but the Book of Mormon is also a wonderful book, an additional testament of Jesus Christ, an additional witness and sign of God's love for All of his children.

Mr A understands this at some level based on our few lessons and the few things that we have been able to communicate, but had still come to return the book. Elder Clemente and I prayed inwardly and felt to start sharing passages of scripture with him, he can understand that better and the scriptures are always good. He read: Moroni 10:3-5, Helaman 5:11-12, 2 Nephi 33:9-10, 2 Nephi 25:23,26. We then told him how we know that the Book of Mormon is true and will help him to know Christ better and bless him with more peace in his life. Then we prayed and invited him to share these passages with his wife and brother. He left with the Book of Mormon :) 

Love you too!

Hayden