SNOWpocalypse

Hey Ya'll!
 

I had a great week!  It was filled with snow and the Spirit!  The locals were calling this storm, "SNOWpocalypse."  It was tough getting snowed in for two days, and not being able to go to our area, but we were able to shovel plenty of snow for our neighbors!  We were able to have so much fun, as well!  We were able to make plenty of phone calls, check up on our investigators, and set up times when we could come see them after the snow died down. 

Well, also another transfer came and went.  Elder Maxfield and I are staying together, but Elder Bingham is leaving the Roanoke apartment.  Tough luck.

Well, here's the week!

Monday Jan. 18:  MLK day/P-day/Elder Binghams Birthday
We played football/basketball at the Stake Center.
We had dinner at the Blevins, and met Chase, a family friend.  He knows a lot about football, so we had a good talk, as well as a good message on the Book of Mormon.
We had a 2nd dinner with the Cowlings's.

Tuesday Jan. 19:  We emailed today - because of MLK day yesterday.
"No go" for our return appointment with Melissa.
We talked to people downtown, then Bishop Williams took all three sets of missionaries out to dinner at IHOP.
We worked in Brother Laymon's neighborhood, and got several referrals from those who were not interested, but the referrals weren't interested either.  :(
Brother Laymon came with us to Brian and Shyvilli's, and we had a lesson on the Law of Chastity.

Wednesday Jan 20:  Church world wide missionary broadcast!
Every single missionary in the world got to view it.  It was wonderful. The speakers were: Elder Anderson, Elder Bednar, Sister Oscarson, Bishop Waddell, President Clayton, Elder Neilson, and Elder Oaks.
We met a man named, Jim while tracting.  His wife's funeral was the day before - he was still in mourning and we told him a little bit about forever families and said a prayer with him.  We will go back in a week or so.

Thursday Jan 21:  We had a really good weekly planning - we focused on less-actives and part- member families.
We had a great visit with Kennis and Wondra Waldon. (a less-active couple).
We had dinner and a lesson with Brother "L" on missionary work.  He's doing really good, even though his dad is having nothing of it.

Friday Jan 22: The snow came!!  

A view out the back of our house

2263 Maiden Lane SW #5

Roanoke, VA  24015

We were instructed to stay indoors.
We did get to have dinner with Brian and Shyvilli, as well as a Law of Chastity follow up lesson. Their plan is to get married once they have the money to do so.
We walked home in a blizzard.

Saturday Jan 23:  We got a ride from Brother Winkler (who has a Toyota 4-runner) to go shovel the church sidewalks and then we spent the rest of the day shoveling snow.

We met some really cool people while doing so -  we did four houses in a row; we had one request after another.
We found out that Elder Maxfield and I are staying for another transfer.

Sunday Jan 24:  BRONCOS!!!  SUPER BOWL 50!!!!
Church was cancelled today because of the SNOW.
We met some of the Cowling's neighbors/friends who they've been working on.  We offered to shovel their driveways.
We met Joan, who needed help getting her car out.
We had a good visit with Brother Nilsson.
And the Lewis family dropped off dinner to us.

Monday Jan 25:  We had a good introduction lesson with the Brunal couple, Sandra and Chales.  We talked about God the Eternal Father, the Gospel, and the Book of Mormon. They are from Columbia, so we will bring a Spanish speaker for them next time.  We had spanish pamphlets and El Libro De Mormon all ready for them.
We had lunch with Chase Lester. and his family, and met his baby momma/girlfriend, Erica.  They are a really great family.
We had another great visit with the Waldon's. 

{Brother Waldon and his daughter, Wanda}

 

Brother Waldon's giving me crap that the Panthers will SMOKE the Broncos in the Super Bowl.  Nah!
We had dinner at the Blevins' - they served some of the best shepherds pie ever!
We did a drop-by visit with the Bell's and Tim.  He opened up and said, "No" to the Baptismal question.  At this point, he's not sure if there is a God.  Sister "B" really said how more fellowship is needed for both of them.

Tuesday Jan 26:  We walked to the east boundary of our area, and were able to have a visit with Sister Jeanie Hale - she's such a great lady.
We found a gal named, Bethany - she's really open and cool.  We might pass her on to the YSA missionaries, though.
We finally had lunch at 2:30, then we met the Wholford couple.  They are a sweet, young couple in the ward, and have an adorable 6-month old baby girl.
We did a quick lesson with Brian - Brother Lewis came with us.  The lesson was on Living this life as you would in heaven.
The new missionaries flew into Roanoke, and we are housing them!  This takes me back to my Charleston days!  Elder Tyler Esplin is the little brother of Elder Alex Esplin, who was in my district in Beckley!  2 brothers, 1 Mission!

To share a very spiritual, touching experience this week, I wanted to share one of our visits yesterday.  I sat in a sweet old lady's living room yesterday.  She truly was struggling with believing that God is there.  Her life is in a wreck right now.  She asked me, "How do we know God's there if he doesn't answer our prayers, and take away the pain?"  The Spirit came to me, and I told her that no matter what, no matter where, God is there, and loves her.  She is a daughter of God, and very much loved.

You are all children of God.  He loves each and every single one of you.  Then comes Jesus Christ and the Atonement.  One of my favorite scriptures illustrates this perfectly.

Romans 8:16-17

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him.

I know that we are Children of God.  I also know, because we are Children of God, we are heirs to all the Father has. Also, joint heirs with our Savior and older brother, Jesus Christ.  Because he suffered, and we suffer with him, I truly know every single one of us, with our families, will be glorified, side by side, with the Savior and our Heavenly Father.  I know this to be true, and the Spirit has touched my heart very strongly this week.  I love all of you!  Thanks for the prayers on my behalf! 

Love, Elder Brenchley