Hey Ya'll!
Happy Fourth of July weekend! What a blessing it is to preach the Gospel in a free country with religious freedom.
You could say we saw some "FIREWORKS" happen this weekend. Which included:
* Going to one of the best "Dives" EVER! It’s called "Dairy Winkle" and is owned by a part-member family. They have some of the best fries I have ever had! PLUS Mac n' Cheese nuggets! YEP! And great shakes! I’m definitely taking the family (and anyone who wants to) to this place someday!
* We taught a great young family and picked them up as new investigators!
* In Sacrament Meeting we saw some very interesting things:
1. A man walked in with a real-tree camouflage 3-piece suit! West Virginia, indeed!2. The opening hymn was the “Star-Spangled Banner” to which we stood up to sing. One particular member refused to stand up and sing due to his loyalty to the Confederate States!
3. At the end of Nation’s anthem, someone in the back of the chapel shouted, "PLAY BALL!"
So, not your typical Sacrament Meeting, but it grows on you out here! So, I couldn't help but smile!
* We found this AWESOME, young, elect couple while tracting Sunday afternoon.
* So sad to hear about President Packer's passing. :(
As for the rest of the week:
July 1, Wed: P-Day.
We relaxed today, didn't do much.
We taught the Word of Wisdom to Rodney - he's been taught it before, but a good refresher was needed. He is still trying to kick the habit of smoking, and we offered the "Quit Smoking Workshop." And he said he might give it a shot.
Taught Kelsey about service and showed her the Mormon Message, "LIFT." She loves Mormon Messages! She's already watched like 60 of them!
The newly arrived missionaries spent one more night at our house!
July 2, Thurs:
We were able to teach Clyde "The Glide" The Plan of Salvation out on his porch.
Brother Larsen picked us up and he told me we're probably related somehow. He had a cousin marry a Brenchley from Cache Valley.
We went down to Montgomery and we were able to teach Amit. Brother Larsen has been a part of the Amit's conversion process for about 10 years, and he was very bold and very loving, which was a big help. Amit will be fasting and praying on Fast Sunday about if the Church is true, and he plans to be baptized when he receives that answer.
Brother Larsen was the Bishop a year ago, so he suggested a lot of families for us to go see. Big help!
Tonight, it was the departing missionaries turn to spend the night at our house. They were a little "giddy" and stayed up late talking about all their greatest mission experiences!
July 3, Fri:
We helped a member's daughter move, and were able to fellowship with some of their less-active children.
We were able to teach Joensen Soram about the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We promised him he would be happy, and feel the Holy Ghost more at church and he said he would come.
We drove out to Campbell's Creek (a hollar) and went out and taught a former investigator named, Wilkinson. On the way back, one of the Senior office missionaries recommended that we go to Dairy Winkle. SO GOOD!
We reviewed and taught The Plan of Salvation to Brother Miller; he's planning on coming to church on Sunday, so we got him a ride and everything.
Brother Miller also came out with us to try a potential family! Success! The family’s name is the Leonard's: Jillian, the mom, is the one we first talked to, and she has two sons; Andre who is 12, and Jamar who is 7. We were able to teach them the Restoration, and they are very interested in coming to church and committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. WooHOO!July 4, Sat: Happy 4th!
We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Jason by reading 2 Nephi 31. He's way into the lessons, but doesn't keep commitments.
We were also able to teach the McCray/Fraizer family. They are a less-active family with four kids (ages 14, 13 , 9, 6). It's an interesting situation; they are converts of three years. They are not married, but in order to live the Law of Chastity, Brother McCray and Sister Fraizer do live in different houses, but spend most of their time together. The reason they haven't tied the knot yet, is Sister Fraizer wants to graduate college with Fraizer on her diploma. Anywho, we answered their questions about the Church's stance on same-sex marriage. Needless to say, we didn't plan to teach that, but we tied it back to having prophets and apostles of God on the earth today.
July 5, Sun:
Lissa, came back from her Pennsylvania trip, and rode a bus all night to make it to church in the morning! Awesome! Dedication!
Amit also came with a true desire to receive an answer, as he was fasting. Elder Jacklin and I fasted along with him.
Kelsey got to go up to D.C. for 4th of July weekend (#lucky) but she took her mom (a Methodist Minister) to church up there! It was actually on/by the temple grounds!
Brother Miller also got a ride to church, and was very anxious to meet the Bishop and get his records moved to this ward.
We were able to teach the Soram's after church. Joensen didn't wake up this morning for church. Darn it! We watched the Restoration with them and they really enjoyed it.
While out tracting, we met this great couple. The conversation went like this; the woman answered the door, (talk, talk, talk)
Us: "Have you ever heard of the Book of Mormon?"
Her: "Yeah, my husband's actually thinking about becoming a Mormon!"
I almost said, “You’re joking.” Her husband wasn't home, so we got their info and a return appointment for Wednesday! Their names are Luke and Jessie and they have a 1 yr. old boy.
We had dinner at the "I's" home. I collected Yu-gi-oh! cards as a kid/tween, and I thought I had a collection. (1 binder full) NOPE! Brother Ingles showed us his FOUR suitcases full of Yu-gi-oh cards! ;)
We were able to have a lesson with Brother Miller; he dug out his scriptures and Baptismal photos! He's just getting more and more excited about returning to church!
Well, this was a really great week; we saw some very good things - we are meeting with Kelsey and Lissa. We are pondering on moving Lissa's Baptism to a different day since there are going to be some conflicts after church this Sunday, but we are so excited to see two Baptisms this month!
Does everyone back home have a Preach My Gospel book? If you don't, I encourage you to get one (only $4-8 on LDS Store) But, please study from that, as a family and individually, and see what you can do to help the Lord's work move forward!
Missionary Work is the greatest!
Love You All!
Love, Elder Brenchley
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