News from Tennessee

Hey friends,

I dunno what to say because I talked to everyone yesterday so this letter may be short.  We'll see.

So this week, I played a prank on my companion and hid in our one bedroom apartment.  Apparently I'm really good at it because he couldn't find me.  Anyway, he started freaking out and called our District Leader like three times but no one answered the phone, so he was about to call the Mission President before I came out of hiding.  I thought it was funny.

This week was cool cause Elder Craig and I both got to utilize our second language strengths (well, besides the fact that he's from Canada and I'm still helping him to learn the language here...).  Anyway, we stumbled upon a 'hispanics only' street or something so I got to practice Spanish.  Also, we tracted into some deaf people so Elder Craig got to do some sign language.  I asked him what kind of sign language he understood and he said ASL.  I asked him what ASL stood for and he told me American Sign Language.  I told him "That's right, and don't ever forget it.  'merica."

We had two of our investigators at church yesterday!!!  We actually had a lot of other non-members as well.  Hopefully we can turn them in to investigators soon....  It's really great.  Most all of our numbers are improving each week.  Elder Craig and I are really being blessed for working hard.  I love it.  Shay is still set on being baptized this month and we might actually move it up sooner because she's pregnant and her due date is June 2.  So, we want to avoid any kind of fiasco I suppose.

Kaelin Vining:  Mission Accomplished  ;)

As you know, I've been studying the New Testament recently and the scripture that stands out the most this week is John 16:33;  "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"  Because Christ did it, we can too.  That's the great news.  But he's the only way, so we have to live his gospel and live by faith and repentance.  Lots of hope in that verse...

It's funny that you would bring up the Fall of Adam and Eve because I had the opportunity to have a discussion with two Seventh Day Adventist gentleman on Friday and that is one of the toughest doctrines that we discussed.  Apparently, the Adventist view is that the Fall wasn't part of the original plan, but that God had a backup plan so it's okay.  Usually, you can put down false doctrine by carrying on the idea.  For example, assume The Fall wasn't part of the plan, then God made an imperfect plan, then God is not infallibe, then God isn't God.  But God is God, so He is infallible and so on; thus we see that the Fall must have been part of the plan.  That's just how I think... anyway, just to clarify, I like how Lehi puts it best in 2 Nephi 2:24 " But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who aknoweth all things. "  Trust in Him.... and get a testimony of the Book of Mormon.

I think you're correct about your agency discussion in class.  As the teacher, you simply have to enact the punishment required by the school's laws concerning cheating.  Otherwise, justice is frustrated.

There's a great book called "The Infinite Atonement" by Tad R. Callister that I'm reading right now.  I'm only a few chapters in, but I think I can recommend it to anyone who wants to further their knowledge of the Atonement.  If you think you know... well you have no Idea.  That's all I have to say about that.

Seriously, I think I'm out of things to write about.  Sorry.  Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Elder Grabinger

P.S.  I forgot my camera, but I have more pictures.  Next time...