Hope Ya'll are keeping cool! I know I'm sure not! It's been in the high 90's and sometimes 100's and anywhere from 40-70% humidity! But, I can't complain; all I want to eat and drink is water and otter pops, and I'm always sweating, so I've been losing weight here and there. I love being in Charleston; I get to see the gold Capitol building every single day, we have so many people to teach, and so many people to work with. I feel very blessed as a missionary.
Mon. June 8th: Happy Birthday, Dad!
Well, us missionaries in the Charleston 1st ward got together to go bowling on P-day,
and the bowling alley was closed! We went shopping to Gabe's instead! (similar to a
ROSS store).
We were able to teach Kelsey with Bro. McGill. We taught the "Gospel of Jesus
Christ" lesson, and it went great! She is so elect!
We were also able to teach Rickey (the less-active from Paraguay) - we
officially got his records to the Charleston 1st Ward. We read with him in the
Book of Mormon, and he taught us some of the Plan of Salvation terms in
Spanish.
Tues. June 9th: We were blessed with a media referral. It was for a lady named, Tammy. She
requested a Bible. We delivered the Bible and also taught the Restoration. We
have an appointment tomorrow with her and her two daughters next Tuesday
(16th).
We taught the Soram family.
Bro. Mahajam, one of the ward missionaries, took us down to Montgomery. We
have taken on that area until there will be enough missionaries in the mission
for Montgomery to have it's own set. We don't mind at all = More work for us!
We taught Sharon, a real nice lady, who has a sense of Homemaking. She's been
one of those "Eternal-gators" (investigating since 2009). She's willing and able,
she just needs to kick some bad habits, and some friends.
I was finally able to teach John & Madison, our investigators that I
knew about months before I got to Charleston. (They're THAT awesome!) They moved down to
Smithers, which is in the Montgomery area. John and Madison made dinner for us and Bro. Mahajan, then we watched a video
on temples.
Wed. June 10th: We went on exchanges with the Williamstown Elders today. Elder Boer (who I replaced in Floyd back in February) came to Charleston, so we had a lot to talk about. We stayed busy teaching four lessons.
Our 1st lesson was with Tom; we taught the Law of Chastity - he said he had concerns
about it. Elder Boer is as bold as a tiger; he explained it was a commandment,
and Tom will be missing out on blessings for disobeying God. To top it off, as
we were leaving, Elder Boer told Tom he needed to take down his Victoria's Secret magazine poster from the wall in order to live the Law of Chasity. GO ELDER BOER!
Bro. Thomas picked us up to go teach Kelsey. She is still going strong! She
just has an issue with the inconsistency of all the different missionaries
coming to teach her (me & Elder Boer this week, Elder Jacklin & Elder Thackary last week). Best concern/issue Ever! :) She's just going to have to
deal with all the missionary exchanges we go on as zone leaders.
Bro. Beck (the area's most recent convert) came and gave us a ride to teach
the Ratliff's - what great people! Bro. Ratliff (we are encouraged to call everyone, "Brother" or "Sister." He's a regular at church, so the title's
definitely set in with him) is almost there, to the point
where his testimony is greater than that want for one cup of coffee he has in
the morning.
We finished the night by teaching Rodney - we taught him about Baptism. I think
he might be a little "lax" with the whole situation. But, if he can get out of
his tough financial situation and kick the smoking habit, he'd be baptized!
Thur. June 11th: Brother Soram gave us a call and said to come over because his brother, Jason, was home. We've been trying to meet Jason forever, so we can get the whole
family (Jason, Trayleynor [Jason's wife/girlfriend?], Joansen (age 9), Jayden (age 6))
on board for Baptism. We basically got permission from Jason to continue
teaching his family, and try to catch him once in a while.
We had a lesson with Dustin, and Bro. Atkinson came. Dustin finally read from
the Book of Mormon! He's really okay where he's at right now, but we're going to
keep meeting with him, and see if we can get him to come to church! He's been in
the church before (for Saturday morning basketball).
Bro. Hawes drove us down to Montgomery for a lesson with Amit. He's the "Malhotra's nephew, and has been investigating the Church for two years. It was a
refresher lesson, and he committed to come to church!
Next came a lesson with a recent convert named, Bro. Donald Coleman. He is a
great cook. He made us chocolate milkshakes and bacon cheeseburgers on the spot! YUM!
Fri. June 12th: Today was a slower day - we planned our week.
We had a good lesson with Lissa on Baptism and Confirmation.
We also had a lesson with Bro. Beck, and showed him Family History.
Sat. June 13th: We spent some good time Finding today! We ALSO got DRENCHED by a Summer
thunderstorm! We only had one lesson today, and it was with Tom! He's not willing to come to church unless
it's Fast Sunday. We will likely be having a "Make-It-Break-It" lesson with him
soon.
Sun. June 14th: We had four investigators at church: Bro. Bill Ratliff, Zach Kirk, Amit, and Lissa! (Kelsey was out of town, going to a Pirates game).
We talked to the Kirk's, and Zach wants to be baptized as soon as possible!
We taught him right after church and set him on date for June. 28th!
While we were out tracting, we were invited in by a VERY flamboyant African
American man, Dr. Mark Holmes. He's been a recording artist and a studio producer. He's worked with Barry Manilow and Dolly Parton, to name a few! He
said he's "saved" and has the Holy Spirit within him, and plays/ sings at multiple churches. He invited us in, and gave us the best lemonade I have ever had. We
got talking about what we do - he was SO impressed. He also took us into his studio and played/sang for us, "How Great Thou Art!" WOW! What talent! Maybe we
can get him to play in an upcoming fireside. As we left, he shouted, "Keep walking for Jesus, Honey!" (We'll never forget him).
We taught Kelsey (she got back in town). She was sorry she missed church, but we
had a great lesson on Baptism and Confirmation. But she told us she wants to move
her date back. (she is really nervous - she is very quirky about that! But, we don't want to rush
the investigators into anything, of course. But there is no doubt, she will make
it.) We moved her date back to July 26th.
We taught Lissa about tithing and fast offerings.
Well that was the week! We got 13 member-present lessons, four other lessons, and for lessons to less-actives or recent converts! For 21 lessons this
week! We reached our Mission's goal of 20 lessons/week!
A teaching missionary is a happy missionary!
Please help your local missionaries find people to teach!
Love,
Elder Brenchley
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