So Many Miracles!

Hey Everyone!

This was such a great week!
Here's a list of great events that happened this week!
1. Kelsey was baptized and confirmed this week! (along with "J," the Assistants’ investigator)
2. Lissa was confirmed during Sacrament meeting!
3. Zach Kirk received the Priesthood!
4. The Ratliff's came to church after a little bit of a drought.
5. Luke Bowlin had a 1st lesson with us Saturday at the church, plus a church tour afterwards with his wife, Jessie, and son, Logan.
6. Luke and Jessie came to church!  Had a lot of ward members welcome them!
7. Went on exchanges with my old companion, Elder Caldwell!  We taught 2 new investigators, Austin and Logan, ages 19 and 18.
8. Went on exchanges with Elder Cluff.  One word: Hilarious
9. Taught/picked up a former investigator named, Momadou.  We brought over Bro. Williams, they clicked well.
10. Went to the driving range this Monday for P-Day! 

So much fun!  I think I'd be an excellent golfer if I warmed up for about an hour before every tee time.

Well, here's for the rest of the week! 

Mon. July 20:  We went to the driving range for P-Day.

Kelsey was interviewed for Baptism by Elder Thackeray, our District Leader.  She passed!  

Tue. July 21:  Brother Charles Hawes drove us all the way out to Cowen, WV - that helped big time with miles! 

We started our exchanges; Elder Caldwell came with me to Charleston!  Elder Jacklin stayed in Cowen with Elder Wilkey (Elder Caldwell is training Elder Wilkey).  We did have everything start falling through on us, but it was still great!  Elder Caldwell is the Assistants’ District Leader, so while he was in town, we planned it so he could interview Jordan for Baptism. 

We were able to go teach two potentials, Austin and Logan - it was a powerful lesson on the porch.  Both of them have had some pretty shady past/present, but they were both very accepting to The Restoration.  To quote Logan: “This is the realest...(insert missionary-appropriate euphemism)... I've heard on a porch!”

Brother Brown joined us to teach Kelsey the Plan of Salvation - actually we had her lead out on the conversation, and had her teach us. 

Wed. July 22:  We exchanged back.

Elder Caldwell is a stud!

 

We went down to Montgomery, and the Minnich's took us out to dinner.  We then chatted with Amit at his work. 

We went, with Brother Minnich, to see Sister Nichols, a less-active member.  Brother Minnich shared President Uchtdorf's, "All is Well" message from the Ensign.  She also asked for a Priesthood blessing, and asked me to give it.  The Priesthood is real! 

Thur. July 23:  We worked out in Elkview today, one of those outskirt areas.  Sister Fisher fed us while we were out there.

Brother Hinman was our guy for “High Priest Team-Up Thursday!”

We saw Brother Beck briefly, and talked about setting a temple date. 

We also saw Rodney - he's 5 days smoke-free!  We taught him of the nature of God. 

Then this was cool, Brother Hinman is well-learned at Family History, so we went to Robert Price, kind of our Family History investigator, and helped him out some more.

Fri. July 24:  Pioneer Day!  But not really out here in WV!  We did sing, “Come, Come Ye Saints” for District meeting this morning. 

We then exchanged with the Sissonville Elders. 

Elder Cluff & I

Elder Cluff came with me to Charleston, and Elder Jacklin went with Elder Fitch & Elder Walker to Sissonville.

We taught the McCray's – we’re still trying to get them to come to church.  Elder Cluff and Brother McCray hit it off so well that Brother McCray wants to start going to the Charleston 2nd Ward in Sissonville.  Well...... at least he'd be coming back to church. 

Brother Belcher came with us to teach Kelsey.  We did a review of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Also, we finally got in with a former investigator named, Momadou.  He's pretty sweet, he’s got his knowledge of the Restoration. 

Sat. July 25:  We taught Luke Bowlin at the church.  We had a great Restoration lesson, and answered a lot of questions and quieted some concerns.  He's awesome, though!  He’d accepted Baptism, but wanted to investigate more.  Last Transfer, I mentioned in an email that we tracted into a young lady, and she said her husband was thinking about becoming a Mormon.  Well, stopping by later on exchanges, he told Elder Jacklin he'd contact us when he's ready.  Then not too long at all after that, we got a media referral and it was Luke!  He actually wanted to meet with us at the church; his wife dropped him off and we taught him at the church on Saturday, and then gave him and his wife a church tour after the lesson.  And the next morning they were both sitting next to us in church!  It was awesome to see, and the ward was so curious about who this new young family was, and multiple people greeted them and they were well fellowshipped immediately. 

Brother Foote came with us to see Warren...No Dice...but we did go see a less-active Sister named, Sister McCloyd.

Brother Collet came with us for the rest of the night.  He's a pretty funny character.  We saw the Kirk's and taught about Priesthood; Isabelle understood it better, and Zach is receiving it tomorrow!

Then we had one last lesson with Kelsey, as an investigator.  We watched the Restoration video and talked about how important the Book of Mormon is.  She's one in a million! 

Sun. July 26:  We had our usual meetings in the morning. 

We had a good turnout at church!

*Luke and his wife, Jessie, came!  A lot of people introduced themselves!
*Amit (he was actually able to stay for Gospel Principles class - his first time in the many years of investigating for him.)
*The Ratliff's came!  WooHoo!  They also stayed after for the Baptism!
*Kelsey showed up to her own Baptism day, thank goodness!
Lissa got confirmed today!  We got to be in the circle!  Awesome!  She had a big smile on her face, especially when both the speakers reference her in their talks today. 
Zach also got sustained during Sacrament Meeting, and then received the Priesthood during church! I asked him about it, and he's like, "I FEEL GOOD!"
The Baptismal program was very well done, and there were lots of people, so it was held in the chapel. 

Elder Jacklin, Kelsey, and I

Elder Rueda baptized Jordan, and Elder Jacklin baptized Kelsey.  Then Elder Markowski confirmed Jordan, and I got to confirm Kelsey.  Never before have I felt so much energy and power as I confirmed her a member, and told her to, "Receive the Holy Ghost."  AMAZING!  I Cannot and WILL NOT deny how powerful and real that was!

{Back: Elder Jacklin, Elder Markowski, Kelsey, Jordan, Me  Front: Elder Walker & Elder Rueda}

This week, I started getting all these clothes. 

Kelsey got me and Elder Jacklin ties, customized with our initial on them.  Then, her friend Kathryn, who first referred her from up in Morgantown, spoke at the Baptism, and gave each of us another tie!

Then I got a pretty nice UTES shirt in the red-colored themed care package my mom sent me this month.

We were able to teach Brother Beck and his sons.  His sons, Josh (age 12) and Sam (age 10) aren't members, but only live with him during the Summer, so we'll see what’s the next step there.  Brother Nate Williams came with us see Mamodou (pronounced MAMMA-DO).  It was pretty cool.  They both connected and we taught the Plan of Salvation – it went really well!

Well, it was such a great week!  This is the most happiest I've been on my mission! 

I just want to bear my testimony on how real the Priesthood is, and how it truly is the power of God and the ability to call down angels.  It was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, along with the rest of Gospel!  The Priesthood ONLY blesses other’s lives. What a great privilege we have to have it on this earth!  This is TRUE!  Let us do all we can to respect and honor the Priesthood. 

I Love You All So very much!  

Love, Elder Brenchley