Caleb:
I keep thinking about the member that took you home and then told you he wanted to be baptized. What a complement to you and your companion! That event got me to thinking about my mission and I don't think that ever happened to me; not even once. To think that you are a part of his decision to get baptized is really something. Consider that for the past 17 years he has watched missionaries come and go and then something happened that night that he felt comfortable enough to approach you (your companionship).
Let me tell you how I think. I watch missionaries come and go and notice that for some missionaries, I feel a great desire to try and do something to help and others I simply don't feel that desire - rather, I feel obligated because I'm a member and I should be doing missionary work, right? Consider the difference in those two motivations. It's that difference that impels a man to approach you after watching you interact with his family rather than making another private excuse to himself not to do anything. After all, he's waited 17 years, what's another transfer and a new set of missionaries? Something happened there; you connected to his soul and touched him in ways that allowed him to feel comfortable approaching you and asking for baptism. GREAT JOB!!! I am so proud of you. I can't say that or feel that enough.
Then the fact that you are thoughtful and bought a gift for Margaret. Regardless of whether she joins the church, that one act of kindness will stay with her for as long as she lives. She will never be able to think of Mormon missionaries again without having fond thoughts of the kindness that you have shown to her. Again, I'm in awe of you. I never would've done that. But you did, and look at how the universe repaid you.
Did I say I'm proud of you? Sleep in peace knowing that you're doing great. Relax and don't let the stress get to you. Learn to deal with the challenges that mission life gives in abundance without becoming overly stressed.
Love you,
Dad
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