Riverside/ Dows Lake- Week 16

I can imagine all those talks being really good having known the speakers. One time I thought our apartment burned down. 

Those are some questions, some really interesting profound questions that I'm sure you are hoping for some insightful profound answers to. For the first one (What things do you do during your scripture study that have been most effective in bringing the Spirit or helping you receive inspiration?), I am reading all the pamphlets in Chinese and learning the words I do not know. I usually fall asleep while doing this. I read the Book of Mormon from 10 to 10:30 every night and my watch reminds me to. I usually fall asleep while doing this too. For the second question (What ways do you work with the members in your ward?  How is your relationship with them?), I talk to the members. Remembering so many people and their names and the details of their lives was really hard at first, but I prayed that I would remember everyone and it's been pretty amazing. Also, I have just been here a long time so that helps too. No one gives us referrals if that is what you mean. People bring friends to church occasionally. When we bring people to church, most everyone is good to reach out and introduce themselves and get to know the person a little. The other day there was one member who comes to a lot of lessons with us to help us teach and is a returning less active. He told me that I helped him a lot but I didn't know exactly what he meant, he is just really nice. He went from inactive to super active in the blink of an eye and is the most dependable person that we ask to come to lessons. He is full of so much faith. I do not know about my relationship with everyone, but I know that there are at least a few members like this guy that I will miss. For your last question (How are you striving to achieve harmony with your companion?), I just talk and listen. I don't know if I am any good at being a companion. 

I raced someone we are teaching this week in a 1500. Before the race, I thought of Jason Hinds and wondered if I should tell him he has to come to church if I win, but I ended up not. I did win. It felt really good to run hard again. My time was 5:29, but do not tell anyone on that track team that, especially Garrett or Patrick. I then told the person we are teaching about the story where I was running while we were staying at boulder lodge. You and Dad told me I shouldn't run because it was dark, but I went anyways. Part way through the run, I felt like I should turn back but I kept going till I felt it again. I stopped and knelt down and prayed. I felt the same thing again, so I turned back and ran in the lighted areas closer to Boulder Lodge. The next day, we found out tha there was a bear in the area that I was running towards. This has become one of my favorite stories to share with people because it teaches so much. It shows that if we are not close to God, we will be lost in the dark and at risk to dangers like bears. It also shows just how a personal relationship with God is not only beneficial but essential to us in our day to day lives in a very practical way. 

Love you,

Elder Pinkney