Hermana Harden -- 12/04/2013

My area, as you know is Mao. This is pronounced like the word 'how'. Honestly, I love it there. Our ward is a lot of crazy and fun at the same time. I am now trying to learn to play the piano because there is not a single soul in the congregation who knows how. Haha. You gotta do what you gotta do! We had a zone meeting on Monday, which was just awesome. Our zone leaders are Elder Ika and Elder Manzano. They ROCK. We all went to lunch after, and they are truly crazy. Haha. Elder Ika is Samoan, but hails from LA. Elder Manzano is from Tijuana, Mexico. They are wise in the gospel, and I wouldn't be surprised if either or both of them were eventually assistants to the president. Speaking of presidents, I learned more about Elder Day this week. He has a spot waiting for him on the BYU football team and wants to go into politics. We decided we would vote for him. The other Elders are also loco. Elder Serrano and Elder Bravo are in our ward and could have their own tv show, I have no doubt. Elder Bravo told a cool story last week during FHE with the bishop's family. When he was younger, he told his father that he wanted to be a good man like his dad, who was kind to everyone. His father told him that this was good, and if he wanted to become like him, he should put a notch in the door every time he said something unkind to or about someone. The beginning of the week was rough, with many notches, but eventually the day came when he had no notches to make. He told his father that he was no longer making notches, and his father told him that now he should go back and say something kind to every person he had wronged for every notch in the door. He did as his father had instructed and came back to report. Looking at the door, he asked his father, But what about the door? How can I fix it to look right again? His father explained that this is the thing. You can't. Once you have said unkind words, they can't be removed. They are permanent in the mind and heart of the person who received them. I just loved this story. Such wisdom from parent to child. I hope I am as good a parent someday. A funny story turned into a cool experience... We were teaching a less active member, and we started with a hymn as always. In the middle of the hymn, while we were singing on the front porch, a rooster walked up. Directly to us. He was just standing there, looking back and forth from me to my companion. I kid you not, as as we finished-- CREEEEECKKKADOOOODLEDOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! It was hysterical. I probably almost cried from the hilarity. After our lesson with this member, we started to walk to our next planned meeting when three little kids, ages ten and under, stopped us. Pray with us! they said. We were slightly taken aback and sat down and taught them about prayer. They were SO smart, and their mom came out to help explain something to them that we were teaching at one point. We have an appointment to come back and teach next weekend. I really hope we can teach the whole family. I am amazed at the innocence and precious desires of children. I've got to go. I love you all so much!!!!!!!