Photo Dump

Just dropping some photos in that have been sent to us separately from recent emails.  

                                          

One Awkward Moment

 These last two weeks have been very busy for us! We found a few new people to teach and that was really exciting! 

Robert actually found us. Sister Bruce was helping me back the car out of a parking spot and Robert had just parked. He saw Sister Bruce and started asking her questions about what we do as missionaries. This week we showed him the church building and talked about a regular church service. We even talked about baptism, callings, tithing and the Book of Mormon! He's so excited to learn more!! 

Jason is another friend we recently started teaching. He requested to learn more about prayer so our first lesson we taught him how to pray as well as introduced him to the Book of Mormon! Jason has been going through a really difficult trial in life and he told us he was about to give up but then God put us in his life. I know the gospel brings so much joy and hope to my life, I'm grateful I was able to share some of that with Jason! 

I had probably what was my most awkward contact in my life! But we're awkward for Jesus so its okay! Sister Bruce had a prompting to knock on a door so as we walked over there we saw a lady with her dog in her side yard. She saw us and we all walked until we met in the middle and we talked about her dog for one second then asked for her name. Robin said she isn't religious and because we don't run across that response very often we were both caught so off guard, we weren't expecting that! I really didn't know where to go from there but I opened my mouth and kept talking anyways. Robin stopped me before I got like 3 words out and said she had to go inside but told us we could come back! My first thought was, "why?!" Haha but we'll take it. That was a testimony to me that God magnifies our efforts! 

We had a great lesson with the Crapse family yesterday! We've been studying the Book of Mormon with them and it was an amazing experience to explain how the Book of Mormon has power in MY life! I've felt the love and power of Jesus Christ as I read the Book of Mormon but especially as I apply what I learn! I invite yall to find a way to apply something you've learned from the scriptures this week! 

Please pray for

Chelsey- that we can meet more often 

Angel- that she's feeling better 

Wheelers- regain health 

Pictures 

Patience

 Had a crazy week this week and I needed to share a miracle from last Sunday! Angel came to church!! She lives just a few doors down from one of the recent converts in our ward and they happened to walk outside at the same time! Angel followed Toni to church and she said she felt so welcome! She even introduced herself and participated! It was amazing to see God's timing in all of that! Now angel and Toni are best friends! 

On Tuesday we had our big MLC meeting in Columbia and it was great! I was supposed to share my testimony on using social media in missionary work so I waited for their entire presentation to end for them to call on me... but they never did! Then on our drive home after dinner, we almost got in an accident with a semi truck! We were on the highway going 60mph and the semi we were next to decided to merge in our lane! We took a quick swerve and were safe but that was a close call! God was watching out for us! 

We've learned a lot about patience this week. Most of our lessons have canceled, we haven't been able to find people recently, and we're facing a lot of rejection. However, we still see so many miracles! One was we went to visit a family that I've been trying to meet for a whole transfer but never been able to get in contact with! We pulled up and they were outside fixing up a camper! They were so open and friendly and even asked for a message about Christ. It was amazing to finally meet them! 

I've been learning that when I don't always see immediate blessings, to keep going while trusting God is aware of me and has a bigger plan.  Alma 26:27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

We planned to go to a part of our area that is 45 min away from our home on Saturday. However, we had to change our whole Saturday schedule to Sunday which was a pain but we accommodated. By the time it was Sunday, all of our lessons canceled! This was frustratingly devastating! But we decided we'd still go out there to visit some people. The first 5 houses we went to, we had great contacts and lessons! We found two members who wanted to come back to church and found two people who want to be taught! It was God's timing for sure! 

Had a great zone Council meeting on Friday! Me and sister Bruce got there early and made waffles for everyone, the meeting went great and made some good goals and plans, then enjoyed lunch with everyone! The mission as a whole has been focusing more on personal conversion and having faith and positivity in the work. I am so excited for these because it's so important to consistently work on being converted and growing your testimony. 

I have another gate story! This week we have encountered a few gates and there was no possible way to get in. Yesterday we had the same problem but we drove around to another side of the neighborhood and found a gate but this time one of the sides was open! There were a few signs that said "STOP! RESIDENTS ONLY" but I saw the opportunity God provided and took it! The neighborhood was beautiful! We were able to visit with our media referral, she was so kind but not interested in our message. She needed prayers though and we were able to pray with her which was a cool moment! 

Please pray for 

Us to find the elect

Angel 

Allison 

Emily 

Pictures

Gated Communities Can't Stop Me!

Had a busy and great week like always! I celebrated my 1051st Tuesday of being on this earth by eating a BLT sandwich for the first time! 

We've been calling and meeting with a lot of less active member and its been amazing! Everyone's been so nice and it's been awesome to get to know more people! One of them lives on the Hunter Army Airfield Base and almost got us a pass to go on base too! So close but not quite... maybe one day! 

On Thursday I had the most ideal missionary day ever!! We had a missionary meeting until early afternoon then we went knocking for 3 hours in the boonies and found a new Part member family who would love for us to k come back and teach them!! After that we had lessons until the end of the night! We had dinner to ourselves so we got Chick fil A and watched the Chosen! I was so surprised we accomplished so much in what seemed like so little time. God really magnified our efforts! 

We went on visits with one of our members, Sister Gardiner! She's the best! We visited two people who recently moved in the area and they both really needed a visit. They were older and lonely and just needed support and to know people cared about them. It really warmed my heart to see the positive effects of ministering and how it's so needed!

We are still teaching Chelsey and it's been going great! We're going a little slower to help her understand everything and for her to have a witness and testimony for herself so we moved back her baptismal date! We've also been trying to help those recently baptized in this area continue in their conversion! 

As missionaries, gated neighborhoods are our enemies. The other day we were trying to find someone when we encountered a gate! But alas, there was a sidewalk right next to the gate! So we parked the car and set forth on foot and we got in! We didn't find who we were looking for but I felt accomplished! 

This week I studied a lot about the symbolism in ordinances such as baptism and sacrament and how they point to Jesus Christ and remind us of our promises and the blessings we receive. I really enjoyed this study as I was able to ponder on the Saviors sacrifice for me. I love that the bread of the sacrament reminds me that He suffered physically so I could be resurrected and He suffered spiritually that I could be wholly forgiven and reconciled. These ordinances and covenants hold significance and they all lead us closer to Jesus Christ! 

Please pray for 

Annie

Chelsey 

Donovan 

Wayne 

Raymond 

Pictures 

Double rainbow!! 

Found a nice cat! 

Dinner canceled but we found a taco bell gift card in our car #blessed

Dandelions! 🌼