2-Jan-2012

Dear Family,
Whew. It's been one busy crazy week here. We're covering two missions (Oregon and Washington with the deaf), two wards and training, teaching and testifying. It's alot to take in sometimes, but i'm loving every minute of it. Some days are harder to juggle than others, but i'm learning more the effectivness of planning and planning with the spirit. It's amazing what you get accomplished when you plan effectivly. The best part about it is really the end of the day-when you just feel so satisfied when you have done all that you can to invite all to come unto christ and at the same time accomplish the goals you set out to do.
Sunday in the deaf branch, they had a recently returned missionary speak. He served a mission in New York and returned home yesturday. The spirit was so strong when he testified of his experiances and mission work. Our branch is consisted of about 30 people, all of most have a background in sign whether deaf or trying to learn the language. We have a couple new investigators in the Vancuver area and we're so excited to countinue with that.
Something new this week- we're teaching an older gentlemen (about 79 years old to be exact) who has a great knowledge of diffrent faiths. How he met up with the church- a member wanted to buy his hippie van and started a conversation with him about the church. In short, you never know where you'll end up talking about the gospel. There's always a way to bring it up.
Wednesday was our usual deaf tracting day in washington! Deaf tracting is where we go and try and find deaf doorbells or referels that we've recieved to find more opportunities to teach. Sometimes we're successful, but more than often it's not. We're having a regular language study with a deaf member which has helped my signing improve so much. It amazes me how much I can understand and say and have full conversations in sign! I know that I had inspired help with that in the MTC- my companion had 8 years of signing experiance and my other companion was actually from the deaf branch where I was going to serve! I learned so much from both of them.
Thursday, we had a training meeting for trainers and trainees with the President and Sister Morby. It's basically more of a detailed introduction to even more training to train. I love the missionaries we have here in Oregon. It really the best place to be.
Friday, we were out tracting and stumbled across a woman who had been a member but now worships a love gruru with a shrine of him in her house. A little bit awkward but we invited her to church and she accepted.
For New Years, we didn't do anything out of the ordinary- we just countinued with our teaching appointments and dinner with our ward mission leader:) I love all of you! Sister Embley
PS. what are flash photos or something? the ones you took for new years??