Dear Family,

From what Mom said, it's such a great story about Abraham and Isaac. I read it just a little while ago too. I thought about something when I read your letter. As I read about Abraham, I realized that Abraham was a prophet, and he probably realized that to sacrifice his son would be for a 'similitude of Christ'; A sacrifice followed by a MUCH greater miracle that would bless generations. Even though he probably knew things would work out somehow, I can't imagine what kind of faith that must have taken. What you said is so true, that because of his obedience, everything worked out. I really love that story.

I started the Book of Mormon again 1 and 1/2 months ago, and I'm just finishing up Alma. It's so interesting to read it quick enough to get the story line put together. Before when I read it, I didn't read it fast enough to see how any of the history actually fit together, and it almost seemed like just a collection of gospel stories, instead of a functional history of an actual people. It makes so much more sense this way, and I have had some pretty great insights from reading this time around. That book is really something, isn't it?

We went tracting with a couple of priest-age young men this week, and when we were out tracting in a CRAZY thunderstorm, we met a lady named Jen. She said she was looking for a church that 'wasn't baptist or any denomination', but that 'believed and followed the prophets'. WOW!! We taught her and revisited her yesterday! She's doing great! She has a couple kids in town, and she is excited to get answers to her prayers! It's so great to see people actually seeking the gospel! God really is preparing the hearts of those around us.

We have been working a lot with ward members here, trying to help them find people we can teach WITH them, but it hasn't yielded much fruit yet. Many people think they are too busy (or too weird, as Mormons)  to talk to those around them, and it's hard to break through that shell sometimes. We are trying to help them understand that they don't have to dedicate a 'chunk' of their busy lives to full-time missionary work, but just tilt all their daily work, a little bit, into sharing the gospel with others. Talk about it at work, or at a restaurant, on the train. just to strike up a conversation while you are doing things you normally do anyway. It takes no extra time, but we can impact countless others as God justifies our efforts, and puts us in contact with those ready for the gospel. It sounds like you guys are trying it out. Keep up the good work. You're a great example to the member missionary work! I love you!

Love,
Elder Wallentine