This week went by so fast!! We went to Indiana University on Monday for exchanges with the zone leaders. They are so funny. Elder Mo is from China and Elder Powers is from Washington. We had a sleep over Monday night and Tuesday night. All day Tuesday we contacted college kids! We met a guy from Africa who just moved here a few weeks ago. We taught him about how God loves us all and about families. He was so interested. They met with him the next day and he wants to be baptized! The people on campus are so different than in my little small town haha.
Thursday was zone conference. We practiced the first vision and inviting to baptism. Wow that was inspired because on friday I said both of those in a lesson!! Our goal is for each area to have atleast one baptism a transfer. Pshh at this rate we will kill it ;) I set a personal goal to have confidence in the lessons and be consistent in scripture study and obedience. Those who have the most success are consistent and confident.
We met with our investigators Peggy and Pete. We have them set to be baptized September 12! We gave them a Book of Mormon on Wednesday after our baptism.Thursday we stopped by to see how they were and they testified to us the truth of it!! Their testimonies are so strong. Its funny because as they were telling us this they were smoking hahaha. Thats ok we are teaching them about that tomorrow :) Everyone here smokes hah I have been praying that we wont get cancer! Don't worry Mom I hold my breath!
Friday was so full of miracles! The AP's came to Martinsville to go out teaching with us. It isnt usualy they do that, and if they do its usually with zone leaders, but I guess we are the exception! They are so powerful! I went out with Elder Hackney and Elder Goobler went with Redmond. Hackney is 18 months out. We had a blast talking to all the crazy people here. They dont get out much, so when they do they make sure to work hard. At the end of the day we were one lesson short from our goal. We decided to pray for one last lesson before we went home. The very next door we knocked on was an 89 year old lady who was so happy to see us! Her name is Betty:) We taught her about the restoration. She told us how every night she talks with God as she lays in bed. Nobody stays with her and only the nurses visit. She said she gets lonely in her house all alone but she knows God always will listen to her. We had an amazing lesson! We are taught to invite everyone to baptism in the first lesson, so thats what I did! SHE SAID YES! That experience has strengthened my testimony so much.
We also teach this family with the second cutest little girls ever. I say second because my sisters are the cutest:) They are 7,9, and 12 years old. They play baseball and basketball! On friday they invited us to come to wiffleball with them. The key to getting in with the parents is getting the kids to like you!! All the neighborhood kids like to follow us around ha we are trying to meet all their parents this week.
Yesterday we decided we needed to go visit and old man the missionaries were teaching last transfer. He is what we call an eternigator, or an eternal investigator haha. Dennis is an old man who loves his dogs. Most these people have animals and it smells up their house so bad! But he still is a good guy. He was so excited to see us. He said he read all the pamplets we left him and some scriptures and says he believes it! His heart has been softened and wants to be baptized! We set a date for September 12th. Hopefully in the next few week we get some new members!
I am reading a book called How to Be an Extra-Ordinary Missionary. It was talking about the different way to go about teaching and how Aaron and Ammon both did it. In Alma 21:4 Aaron "first began to preach" and was shortly after cast into prison. Alma 17:25 Ammon started by serving the king. Eventually because of his faithful service Ammon had the opportunity to preach. Extraordinary missionaries want to preach and love to preach, but that is only part of their calling. I was "called to serve". As we serve our friends they will be open to hear the gospel! I love the things we learn from reading the scriptures.
we are making gains with our burritos and salmon haha
Happy Birthday Dad! I hope you had a great day. You are the best. How are you? How is work? Are you still going to the gym? How is the new car? When are you buying a new vette?? haha
We have so many great memories together. I have so many fun memories of us on the skii lift, and at the lake, and on our dirt bikes, and going hunting, and our trips to the race track, in alaska, snowmobiling, etc. Those experiences with you are my fondest memories in life.
You have taught me to work hard. The past few weeks I have reverted to our experiences every summer laying grass, cleaning houses, digging holes for trees, going to the dump, etc. I tell myself if I could do all those things at age 12 I can do this! Thank you for working so hard provide for our family. You have always pushed me to set goals and become a better man. I love you! Happy birthday :)
pic one: is a convert who was excommunicated 50 years ago and we were able to help bring her back!
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