7-22-12 "I'm Flying"(Essam) Talking about God + McDonalds Ice cream cone = Heaven

DAD MOM RYAN RASH LIZA EMMMMMMA

Hello my wonderful family :) Emma dong, tell me the details about EFY!
What did you learn!! Share with me your knowledge!!! And Liza, write
me back!!!
God is surely a God of MIRACLES. So this week, we were bikin around
(as usual) and we stopped to talk to this man waiting at the bus stop.
His name is Essam. He's from Egypt, has a sweet mustache, and was (and
always is) dressed in this delux suit. Well his bus came and he had to
leave before we could set up an appointment or get his number. BUT, he
actually texted US!! Which never happens. So we set up an appointment
for the next morning. He's a big talker, he loves to talk. He was
raised Muslim but he is very open and eager to learn. As we started to
share the First Vision, he interrupted, describing how incredible and
happy he was feeling haha. Once we finished, we asked him how he was
feeling. He paused and said "I'm FLYING!!" He tried to put to words
the incredible feeling of angels lifting his heart :) The Spirit is
incredible. God is incredible. We taught him again and set up a ride
for him to come to church. But, on Saturday we received multiple texts
from him, telling us that his mother passed away. He was desperately
trying to get out of work and fly back to Egypt. He told us how he had
no one to talk to but us. He just moved to America 3 weeks ago, his
wife and son died 7 years ago in a car accident, and he knows no one
here. God cleared our schedule (Biruk canceled his appointment) and
Michelle drove us to his house so we could leave him cookies. We
called him and he was crying. He expressed his deep grattitude to God
for our friendship, for placing us in his life so that we could offer
him the support he needs. We promised him that as he turned to the
Book of Mormon, he would be filled with peace and assurance that his
mother was with God now.

Had a lesson with Patrick this week and Troy came!! It was his first
lesson as the newest member in our ward :) and it was remarkable.
Troy's testimony seems to be that of a general authority! He was
teaching Patrick things that we didn't even teach him! Patrick will be
baptized. He says over and over that he knows its true and that this
is what he needs to do, but he just isn't sure if he's willing to make
all the sacrifices yet, if he's ready to make this covenant with God.
We're having a lesson this week and he wants to lay out all his
concerns so we're very excited!!

Troy did an iron man this weekend. No big deal. And he went to the
Sacred Grove on his way home today :) He's the best.

Ash is great! He's 25 years old and originally from Bengladesh. I love
teaching him. He has so many questions and it's so wonderful because
we have the answers! We have the gospel! We have the truth! God is so
gracious to give us the truth so that we can have hope in this life.

President Riggs is absolutely amazing. I wish I could explain just how
bright he radiates the Savior's love! And he is a master scriptorian.
He KNOWS the scriptures and he loves them. He is so inspiring. So, a
repeating theme that he has been teaching us is accessing God's grace.
In Ether 12:27 and D&C 104:79-80, the formula for grace is FAITH +
HUMILITY + DILIGENCE. With the grace of our Savior, anything is
possible.

I love you guys. I really do. I can't possibly put into words how
grateful I am for you and for all that God has given me. I am in awe
when I try to consider all that He has given me.
Whatever I recieve, I'll give
LOVE SISTER JUICE

The Zone

 Rudy (El Salvador) We love him. He is becoming brighter and
brighter every visit. He can't deny the Spirit. He's been reading and
praying and has noticed a remarkable difference in how much happier he
is, and how much more positive life is!

 Ash!! (Bengladesh) He is so wonderful. Sister Rozsa and I went to
NINE HOURS of church this week, ten if you count the breaks between
wards. Ash slept through the other wards, so we found him a ride to
the 3:00 service and stayed with him til the end. Worth every second!!

 Michelle Wright is the greatest member missionary. She comes with
us to teach ALL the time. We can always rely on her. She definitely is
"high heeled and low maintenance" member as Elder Maxwell teaches us
that we should be
Saturday night was the first time Sister Rozsa and I taught someone on
the street while licking our ice cream cones :) It was GREAT! Talking
about God + McDonalds ice cream cone = Heaven

 Some sweet black man - Leroy Lightning.

 Essam!!! (Egypt) We love him and his mustache so very much