BeLLevUe

What a crazy/ interesting week. My testimony is built everyday in the principle of, the more you sacrifice working in your own area, the more the Lord blesses you. We had a lot of meetings this week with local leaders in Bellevue and leadership trainings in the mission. Therefore we had little time to do regular missionary work again. BUT! We had a girl walk into church yesterday and say these words, "I just flew in from Texas and was going to be baptized this weekend. How can I be baptized?" We have a lesson with her today at 6:00pm with our member dinner who happens to have a daughter her age. Enough said. The Lord is merciful. "Whatever the mind can see, it can acheive..." Elder Ballard

This week to be completely honest, it was a lot of meetings and little prosolyting. BUT we had this awesome miracle. It looks like we'll baptize 3-4 people this month. We've had 2 so far and have three for this weekend but two are a little shaky. This is the best success these two wards have had in a while. We've had one in the singles ward and one in the family ward. Then for this weekend we have two planned for the singles ward (the shaky two) and the miracle for the family ward. So both of our areas are seeing sucess! WHOO! =)

Keep praying for our goals! We need two a month in the YSA ward and at least one a month in the family ward. The more prayers we get the more success we can see as a companionship. I love this work and this ward. Keep the good news coming.

Love,

Elder Bottema

Money

Bellevue is Money. The wards here are Money. Everyone has Money. The cars are all Mercedes, Lexus, Audi, you name it. I am so desensitized by all the fancy cars. I've driven past many Maserati and Rolls Royce dealerships. Yep.... talk about money here and you're in. We as missionaries fit in so well in Bellevue. This is one of the only places I don't get started at when I walk into the grocery store or when I walk around outside because, everyone is wearing a suit or a collared shirt! We met a referral who lives in Bellevue Towers. The most expensive condos in downtown Bellevue with 600 square feet studios starting at $349,000. I wish I took pictures. He lived in a one bedroom one bathroom condo but it is so luxurious I can't even describe it. You should see what people wear at the parties here Friday nights. I feel like I'm in a movie.

We had a baptism this weekend in the Bellevue 8th (YSA) Ward. His name is Favian and he is a fantastic young man! He is 19 in August and has been investigating the church for a very short time. He gave up so much to become a member including moving out of his apartment to find better friends and giving up a serious relationship. I am still busy with many of my Assistant responsibilities because I am helping the new ones adjust. I still will need to help at transfers because they have NO IDEA what is to be done. It'll be interesting. It still feels nice though because I am not responsible for any of the mistakes! Glorious!

The weather in Seattle has been quite enjoyable. We have overcast days here and there but not too much rain. It's usually in the lower 70's and it makes life so much more enjoyable. The sun begins to rise at 5am which makes getting up in the mornings so much easier. When it's dark until 8:30am I am drowsy all day. I LOVE SUMMER!

I love all of you and everything you are doing for me. Keep praying for my goals (11 baptisms to go) and the success of the Bellevue zone. I want all of my missionaries to experience the same miracles I've seen. Have a wonderful Week.

Elder Bottema