Sveiki Visiems!

First some miracles, as always.

First, some new investigators. We were in the teaching center having a lesson with Tomas, when two guys walked in randomly, who wanted to know about God. There were some Russian elders there as well, so we did a mini exchange and Elder Warner continued to teach Tomas and I went to teach these new individuals, Kestutis and Arunas. We talked about the Restoration and how because of that we can better follow Christ. They wanted to learn more and we set up a return appointment. Woohoo! They live in the other elders' area though, so we passed off their information to them.

Second, Tomas. He wants to be baptized and quit smoking. He has been working very hard to quit, even following the steps in a pamphlet we gave him. One of which is to drink grapefruit juice to cleanse his body of the nicotine, which he has been doing even though he thinks grapefruit juice is gross. We had a very thoughtful and spiritual lesson reading from the Book of Mormon with him. We read and talked about the vverses, in the first part of 1 Nephi 14. It was quite good.

Third, Chandler. The name might sound familiar because it is the same Chandler that I taught over a year ago in Vilnius. Awesome. We had a pass over lesson with the other elders, since he lives in our area. It went beautifully. He really wants to read the Book of Mormon and know if this is true and he needs to follow it. He knows he needs to be baptized, but is a little afraid, but said if he learns the responsibliites, and feels capable of fulfilling them, he will be baptized.

District Meeting went well. I gave everyone in the district a responsibility to fulfill, to help them feel useful and equal. Elder Warner leads the language thought, Elder Sherman provides a joke, Elder Whicker fills the program (prayers and hymns) as well as writes on the board, Elder Rich shares a short spiritual thought, and Elder Hyer leads us in reciting our mission culture. We did all those things, which went well. Then we discussed our vision for the District. I had thought of five points which are as follows:

1. We will be as One.

2. We will experience and recognize miracles.

3. We will not be satisfied with where we are and therefore will continue to progress.

4. We will recognize the skills we have and will further perfect them.

5. Victory.
We discussed them a little and everyone seemed to be in agreeance. We then moved on to talk about miracles. I shared some scriptures about how God is, was, and will always be a god of miracles. Everyone shared what miracles are to them and then I talked about recognizing miracles and what stops us from performing them. I shared that fear is one major obstacle, then discussing what overcomes fear- perfect love, as written in 1 John 4:18. That is one of my favorites, perhaps my favorite. Anyway, it was wonderful. I am also going to have a miracle jar, so we can share our miracles from the past week with the district.

We met with Dedukas and talked a little about God strengthening us in all parts of our lives. It was good, short, but boosted him some.

We also met with Erik and shared with him thoughts on the melchezidek priesthood. He wants to receive it and understands that there is more responsiblity, but also more opportunities to help others. It was a great lesson.

Last night after Church we ran into an interesting character. He stopped us and asked where we were from, we told him. He told us he grew up in Salt Lake, but has lived here for about 10 years. He small talked for a bit and then told us what gets him about the Church. The facsimilies in the book of Abraham. We looked at them with him and he told us all these things he learned while studying Egyptology, which rocked his world. He basically decided to trust in men over the power of God. It's obviously difficult when things seem to contradict, but that's what faith is for, right? After he told us what the facsimlies really mean, he ended like this- "And guess where I was when I was your age? (points to us with his finger) The same place you are. (Puts his hand up in a wave, turns, and walks away saying) Good night" It was a perfect stage exit. He seems to have practice timing his speech, so that no defense can be given. Which is ok, since there is no point in bringing up other ideas with those types of individuals. It's sad to see people that once had the truth in their hands and then for some reason or another rejected it. He was a fairly polite individual, just wanted to share his new found 'light' I suppose.

Well, that was the week. Sounds as if you all enjoyed yourselves. Keep up the enjoyment. Lithuania is wonderful, I am doing wonderful, and pray that you will keep being wonderful.

Love,

Vyresnysis Kanoris Hiltonas