Dear Family,
So the email at the family history center in the church wasn't working
yesterday, and since it was a holiday, the public library was closed.
We had no way to email because we can't use the members' computers. So
that's why I'm doing it a little late. Don't
worry, I'm not being rebellious. Sometimes I wish I could be
rebellious, but I don't really have it in me. I'd feel too guilty. I
am my mother's daughter, I think...
Have I told you about our 89 year old investigator Brother Bledsoe? I
think I have. Well, his wife has been a member for a long time and he
has never accepted missionaries. They just celebrated their 70th
anniversary, and at no point in those 70 years has
he ever listened to the missionaries. We feel privileged to spend time
with him and teach him the gospel. Every Thursday they come to Hot
Springs to the YMCA to do their exercise. After that, they pick us up
and take us to lunch, and then we teach him at
the park. It's pretty sweet, hanging out with people in their 90's.
Impressive how healthy they are. Well, last week when we were teaching
him, we started talking about baptism again. He had previously said he
wanted to wait til after he turned 90. He
turns 90 on July 1st. As we talked about baptism, he said, "Well,
aren't there certain lessons you need to get through before being
baptized?" We looked at him and said, "You've had them. You're
ready". He began to get emotional. It was very touching.
I'm not sure if that scared him or made him happy or what, but I think
he's at the point in his life where he realizes how important his wife
is to him, and that he wants to be sealed to her. As they dropped us
off, Sister Bledsoe hugged us both and said
that she was so grateful the Lord had sent us to her husband, that she
had been waiting for 54 years. It was a sweet experience. They also
told us that they would like to adopt us. We will be filling out
pretend adoption papers very soon.
I had a strange and embarrassing experience this past week that I hope
to never repeat in my life. We were at a member's house for dinner, and
they had invited their neighbors to come and eat with us. Us and the
elders were both there. Do I talk about them
ever? Well, they are Elder Keller and Elder McMurtrey. Both are from
Utah. So we were all introducing ourselves to this guy named Roberto.
The elders introduced themselves, and then it was my turn. I stuck out
my hand and said, "Hi I'm Sister Gladden".
As the words came out of my mouth, I was like, what the heck..? Why
did I say that? I wasn't thinking about telling him that, I wasn't
trying to make a joke..it was super weird. The real Sister Gladden gave
me the weirdest look. It was just really funny
cause everyone was surprised, especially me. Then I had to say to
Roberto, "I have no idea why I said that, that was a complete lie." And
then I felt like an idiot. But everyone got a good laugh. We were
talking about it later, and decided that since we
introduce ourselves many times a day, all I hear is Sister Gladden
introducing herself, so it must have just..well I don't know. I think I
might be going crazy.
Oh yeah, and transfers are this week, but I'm not getting transferred. Woo! Keep writing me at my Maplewood Ct. address.
I hope that you are all healthy and well and that you have a great
summer planned. Please don't go on any cruises without me. I guess you
can go on vacations, but maybe to just Vernal or something..like to
that dinosaur museum Dad's always talking about?
I'd be okay with missing that one. :) Also, congratulations Cameron on
graduating seminary and school! I am so so proud of you. Know that I
love all of you and pray for your success. Thank you for all your
letters, support, prayers, and love.
I love you!
love sister annalisa wilde
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