What a week! Wednesday, my district leader went on an exchange with me
in my area. I had only been in the area 2 weeks, so navigating was a
bit difficult. We walked by this basketball court in the middle of a
park, and saw some people playing. We decided to go over there and
talk to them. I'm not going to sugar coat it, they were guys that grew
up in the hood. They didn't want to hear anything we had to say. My
district leader told me to play with them, and earn their respect,
then they might listen more. I was in my white shirt, dress pants,
dress shoes, and tie. I went up and asked if I could join in. They
laughed and said sure. They asked me if I was going to change into
other clothes, and my district leader told them that I would be fine.
We played a game to 13 points, and I had scored 9 of those points.
They were shocked! I was this skinny white kid in a shirt and tie,
scoring on them. After the game, 3 of the guys let us talk to them and
said we could come by their place and teach them. It was awesome! 3
new investigators right there! They each have their own copy of the
Book of Mormon, and are reading it.
       However, that was not the highlight of my week. Saturday, at
6:00 pm, Carol was baptized!!!!!!!!!! It was an event I will never
forget. I hadn't seen her since being transferred, but when I did, she
ran up to me and thanked me for being there for her and teaching her.
She was confirmed Sunday. I even found out that her husband, who was
not interested at all when we were teaching her, is taking the
lessons! I couldn't believe that! He was very set in his ways when we
asked if he would like to join in on the lesson, but seeing his wife
be baptized must have touched his heart. God works in mysterious ways,
but the final result is always incredible.
       Another funny fact. I was at a church event, and a guy in the
ward from Seirra Leon came up to me and asked me if I was from
Washington. I told him I was, and he asked if I was from Olympia.
Again, I told him yes. He told me that when he served his mission in
Kenya, his mission president was from Olympia, Washington. He asked me
if I knew Larry Brown. I told him that I most definitely knew Larry
Brown, he gave me my patriarticle blessing! It was really cool to talk
to him about that. His name is Freddie Thomas (Dad, tell Patriarch
Brown that I know him)! He served as AP for 13 months of his mission
for Larry Brown! That's so long!... It was a very neat conversation.

   Elder Litchfield