I Run a Bed & Breakfast (for Elders)

Hey Ya'll!

What's been going on?
We had a great week here in Charleston!  Even though we saw a lot of things fall through (A LOT!), it ended great with Zach Kirk's Baptism on Sunday!  What a great experience to see Zach Kirk get baptized.  I guess you can say it's been my first baptism I've recorded as a key indicator on my mission (meaning an investigator I was currently working with who happened to get baptized when I was still in that area).  But, Elder Jacklin and I couldn't help but give all the credit to the Lord, and all those hard working Montgomery Elders who taught Zach everything over the years.  He just finally made the decision to be baptized, and we got to review everything with him and be there for his Baptism!

June 22, Mon:
I got a much needed haircut - I didn't want my hair to seem to "fadish." :)
We had Brother Hawes take us out to the edge of our area.  He's one of the ward missionaries and we can always count on him for help!  At the edge of our area, (see picture)

we were able to meet with a former investigator named, Missy.  She's going to be a tough one to get to church, but we'll have to get creative.

June 23, Tues:
We met with Kenny Smith (a new investigator) and we were able to teach him about the Book of Mormon, and read the Introduction with him.
We taught the Soram's today - we always have such a great time when we go there.
We taught Kelsey about Tithing and Fast Offerings with Brother Ingles.  She actually said the closing prayer!  First time!  She's been scared for a little bit.
We picked up Elder Walker from the Mission Office - he's serving as an office Elder right now since he's having treatments on his back.

Elder Walker in the back seat

He's staying with the AP's, but three times this week, he got to come with us because the AP's were busy.
We drove up to Marietta, OH! (Just as I was about to take a picture of the "Welcome to Ohio" state sign, my batteries ran out - what rotten luck, huh?  The reason for the drive was we went up to interview one of the Williamstown elders' investigators for Baptism.  I got the privilege of doing the interview - her name was Rhonda, and she was a petite little lady, probably about 4'10".  But, what a great lady!  She is very much prepared for Baptism!

June 24, Wed:
We had district meeting in the morning.
John & Madison cancelled their appointment for tonight.  John was talking to us, and was telling us they are just really stressed out right now and would like to be the ones to call us and set up appointments.  It's so tough to see these great people kind of taper off.

Brother Hawes

Brother Hawes drove us around one last time in his car before it had to go to the junk yard - thanks to not passing inspections. :(
We taught Lissa about Missionary Work, and challenged her to give someone a Book of Mormon during her week long trip to Pennsylvania.
We went and visited Brother Donald Coleman - he fed us tacos and we taught him about prayer and scripture study.
To close the night, we then reviewed the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" lesson with Rodney.

June 25, Thur:
I found out Zach got interviewed by our District Leader, Elder Thackeray last night, and passed!  The problem was, Elder Thackeray didn't bring a Baptismal record to fill out and sign.  That's a problem, so we had to get that situated.
We picked up Elder Walker again! (Fun fact: he's cousins with Paul Walker!)
We taught Brother William Miller - he just popped up on the roles, and is a less-active.
We found two great potential investigators today!  1) Clyde Tyler, a guy in his 70's who flies airplanes, and says he's worth 13 Million thanks to his successful boxing career which included a KO over Sugar Ray Leonard.  2) Chad, a 17 yr. old kid, who was smoking when were talking to him, and he first said, "You can't know anything's true!"  I turned around and said, Chad, I promise you that you can KNOW something to be true with all your heart."  After we started bearing testimony, it became less of an argument, and more of a conversation, which lead him to being interested!

June 26, Fri:
We went on exchanges with the Spencer elders.  Elder Hadfield and Elder Jacklin took Spencer, and Elder Skylar Williams came with me to Charleston!

Elder Skylar Williams & I

Elder Williams and I were friends in Jr. High!  We had a great time catching up on the good ole' times!  We tried so many people, and weren't able to teach anyone. :(  Here in Charleston, "FestivALL" was going on, so we were able to walk downtown and meet a lot of people.

June 27, Sat: Click Day!  10 months a Missionary!

{Some items from my "all-black" themed monthly care package from mom}

 

We finalized everything for Zach's Baptism!
We visited briefly with Andrew; he's lost his job, and going through a tough time right now.
We walked for the most part of the day.
We also taught Clyde "The Glide" Tyler "The Restoration" lesson.  He's hilarious, he's got soul!  And he cracks us up every time we go there.
We had dinner at McGill's, went down the street to visit with the Holbrook's, then came back to the McGill's to teach Kelsey the Law of Chastity.  Let's just say we kept it focused on the blessings!
We were notified by mission leadership that Elder Jacklin and I are both staying in Charleston for another transfer!

June 28, Sun:
Three investigators came to church - AND we had great Sacrament Meeting talks!  They were: Zach Kirk (I'd hope he show up to church the day of his Baptism!), Isabelle Kirk (Zach's little sister.  They are still having custody issues over her, so it might be a while before she's able to get Baptized), and Kelsey.
Zach's Baptismal program went great!

Zach Kirk's Baptism

It's so great to see an investigator make covenants with God!  During the program, we did have a sister from the ward (who's probably not all there) keep interrupting the speakers and adding her comments.  Is that a WV thing?  The 1st Counselor was having trouble with names that day.  He kept calling Zach, "Zachary" even though his name is "Zachariah."  Elder Jacklin and I got to offer the prayers for the program.  And the 1st Counselor announced our names as, "Elder Jack-In" and "Elder Bench-Weed."  HUH?  WV?
We had a lesson with the Soram's on the Word of Wisdom.  It's been tough getting them to church.  Derek will call a taxi, but the rest of the family doesn't ever come.  Maybe because of the language barrier?
We had dinner at the Groom's.  Sister Groom is Italian and made some great pasta!  She's also VERY blunt.  Hilarious!
We then had a visit with Brother Beck, and met the rest of his family.
We also had a lesson with Rodney and committed him to read scriptures every day!

June 29, Mon:
We helped load some furniture on the van from the mission supply sheds for a senior couple.
We also helped move a potential investigator named, J.J.  He's moving down to Florida, and he and his fiance, Patricia, are very interested in meeting with missionaries.  They gave us all their contact info, including their new address, and we sent it to the mission office to send down to Florida - hopefully the missionaries down there can be there to help them unpack.
Since it's the end of the month, and we are running really low on miles, we were walking most of the day.  A real cool experience happened as we were walking; a young guy pulls up beside us in his Land Rover, and says, "Hey, can I get you phone number?"  We responded, "Yeah, sure.  Have you talked to missionaries before?"  He responded, "No, Man, I'm just going through a really tough time right now."  We proceeded to talk to him further about meeting with us, which he is totally open for. His name is Joan and he's from Columbia!  Miracles!
We might have been in a movie....as we were walking the streets of Charleston, we noticed this whole camera crew, and we started talking to a guy, who was making sure we didn't ruin the action shot.
We taught Kelsey, with Brother Thomas, a lesson on missionary work and the Book of Mormon. We gave her a Book of Mormon to share with someone, and she knew exactly who she could share that with.

June 30, Tues:
We taught Clyde "The Glide" and we read the Book of Mormon with him.
We picked up Elder Walker again to come do missionary work with us.
Brother Blessant (a recently returned RM from the Philippines) came with us for the day.  We had THREE appointments that all fell through, and we had three solid back-up plans...that all fell through.  It was a rough day.  Brother Blessant felt for us and took us out to a Mexican Restaurant.
We were able to teach Jim Heaton; he basically told us he'd never come to church.  We'll probably have a DROP lesson with him soon.
We called the zone members, and gave them their "transfer doctrine" (if they are being transferred or not).  We have six brand new missionaries (trainees) coming to the Charleston Zone.

Speaking of new missionaries, we had 25 new missionaries arrive to our mission this week (18 Elders, 7 Sisters).  Ten of those Elders stayed the night with us on Tuesday, and we will be housing them until they go out to their first areas on Thursday!  One of those elders was Elder Cheever! (from Uncle Brett & Aunt Beeb's ward, who they'd told me to look out for!)

I got a picture with Elder Cheever to show Beeb & Brett, and also because Elder Markowski, one of the AP's, had told me prior to him arriving that he's my identical twin! Haha!

Well, that was a great big, long email, but it was good times doing it!  I hope everyone is doing good!  I've spent some time studying Alma 32, and some verses that stuck out to me are verses 41-43:

41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof,which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet,and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

Ponder that, and think just how great the reward is to feast until we are filled, and hunger and thirst no more.  That's how sweet the fruit of Eternal Life tastes.  If we continue to have faith, great diligence, and patience, I testify we can make it to the tree!

I Love You All So Much!

Love, Elder Brenchley