June 10th, 2013 - Mundelein, IL

There's not TOO much to say, seeing that I emailed you on Friday. But! I'll give you some fresh new details, I guess. First. Baseball game. Ah. SO MUCH FUN! I guess I can see why the Haley and Charlie are slightly obsessed. As much as I love my dear ABQ Isotopes- they've got nothin' on the Cubs- or I guess any real professional team. (Charlie, you can insert some mean comment about the Isotopes probably being better than the Cubs....right here). Ha! I'm so glad President Fenn had us go. As I told Haley, I'm not sure which part was my favorite. 1. The near hour ride on the train (have I mentioned how much I love public transportation? For those who can't tell, I'm being serious). 2. Walking down around the stadium...it was like a HUGE party! May have gotten a lot of weird looks. Multiple people told us that we were a little overdressed for the game. Yes. We were all in our normal missionary clothes. Haley, tag and all. But, the elders were allowed to leave their suit jackets at home :) 3. The game itself (even though we lost :( ) 4. The food. Nothing better than enjoying some Chicago deepdish pizza at the game! or 5. Seeing the WHOLE mission there. Did I mention this will be the last time I see everyone before the mission splits here in a few weeks? It was a little sad. Point is. The game, or the day in general, was thoroughly enjoyed :)

Saturday was interesting. Started off a little rough. One of our investigators, Samuel, (I've been teaching him for the last 2 transfers) told us last week that he read (he hasn't read AT ALL, so it was kind of a big deal when he said he read) and that he had questions for us. Soo, we finally were able to meet with him on Saturday. Mmhhmm. Turns out he didn't actually read the Book of Mormon, but instead, read about the Book of Mormon and Mormons online. Woof. Long story short. He couldn't get over the Polygamy thing, and ended up "dumping" us. Awkward? Eh. Slightly.

We had a dinner apt set later that night with a family living outside our area, in Round Lake (but still in our Ward boundaries) with the other Elders in our branch. The family actually goes to the English ward, but there oldest daughter just returned home from her mission in Eugene, OR (she mentioned that Elder Pickett sounds familiar. Does anyone know what area he served in specifically?) two weeks ago, and needed some Hermana's to go out with! Hollla! She's a gem- hopefully she'll come out with us this week sometime.

Anyway...we had some "awkward time" before the dinner apt. Essentially, we didn't have any plans where to go for like 30mins before dinner. We felt that we should go over to "little mexico" and visit a "potential investigator" that we met a month ago. We've stopped by multiple times, but she always tells us to come back. We get to the door, and I before knocking, I mention to Hmna Deleon to ask her if there's really any interest, and if we should keep coming by...sometimes it just comes to that point. Fortunately, she didn't listen to me. Ha. Marina came to the door, and welcomed us right in. Again, we only had like 10mins at this point...but we shared a solid lesson on the Restoration. (Interesting note. After sharing the First Vision, we asked if she had ever had any experiences where prayed with faith, asking for something/an answer. While holding her month old baby girl, and kinda teary eyed, she told us that her Husband was deported back to Mexico a few months ago...while she was still pregnant...and she prayed and prayed that he would be able to come back before the baby was born. I don't know how he did it, but sure enough, the prayer was answered and he was able to return just a week or so before the baby was born. Bam. Her own little testimony right there about praying with faith.) Hmna Deleon and I had practiced that morning during language study how to invite someone to come to church with us. Sooooo, I threw out my newly learned invitation. She said yes....(she didn't end up coming)...but! Hmna Deleon invited her to be baptized in July, and she said that if her prayer was answered, than yes, she'd be baptized. Miracle right there. ....were we a little late for dinner? Ehhhh. Yes. But so worth it!

Lastly. Antonio, ( I mentioned him on Friday) we called him Saturday afternoon to confirm our apt. Unfortunately, he had to cancel because he had work...but while we were on the phone, he asked how many lessons he had to take before he could go to church. Whaaa? He was so excited when we told him that he could come tomorrow (Sunday) if he wanted to. Ah. Yeah. We made some calls, and arranged for Hermano Flores from the ward to pick him up. Yes. Best thing ever! Hmno Flores was so perfect at taking Antonio under his wing, and helping him. So awesome! Members make such a difference! Oh, and did I mention Antonio is my official first investigator at church? No biggie :)

Okay. That was a lot. I just want to share everything! I feel like these tender mercies keep coming left and right - and it would be impossible for me to not share my experiences and joy that I'm feeling.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Love you all so much!

Hermana Mortensen

An explanation on the pictures:

From a while back. Me with the BEST ice cream ever. Mexican sherbert, with valentina hot sauce and chile peppers. Mexicans are crazy.

The missionaries serving in our branch. Love all the elders! The one in the middle is a visa waiter too- and is left for mexico today.

We have a loco inactive member. That's a bear- dressed in a bunny suit with antlers. He told Hmna Stassforth and Estrada, before my time, that he was waiting to receive revelation on how to complete the stairs in his house. Whaaaa.

Beautiful fields on our drive to district meeting.

Cubs game!!!!

 

Hmna Hungate and I. Love that girl. She's probably gonna be in the other mission. Soooo, I might not see her again for a very long time :( did we cry saying goodbye? Possibly.