I Guess it's Only Fair that While out Proselyting, We Got Proselyted to, as Well

Here's my wonderful week!  We had three investigators and two less-actives we've been working with come to church yesterday.  I did bear my testimony, as well, because I need to!

ALSO Broncos won the Super Bowl 50!  Can you say Best Sunday Ever!  WooHoo!

Monday Feb. 1:  We had dinner with the Blevins'.

David Johnson was a referral we contacted and set up an appointment for - we tried him tonight, and either he wasn't there or it was the wrong door.

The Brunal's also had to reschedule.

Brother Newcomb and his friend, Michael said, "not tonight." =(

To top off a tough night, a guy we talked to just wanted to bash - and you never feel good after something like that.  The Spirit was definitely not there. 

Tuesday Feb. 2:  We picked up our bikes from the repair shop - one of the workers there is really cool, named Jordan.   His best friend was Mormon, and Jordan's been to Utah.  We have a good relationship with him and he's coming to play basketball with us on Presidents Day.

While tracting one road, we saw a lady go in and out of her house - when we knocked, she was so quick to the door to hand us her own [religious] tract.  =0

We used the library at Virginia Western Community College today.

We found a new investigator named, Genia.  She lives right across the street from Chase Lester - she was real interested and wants to find a church.

We also had a lesson with Brian - our member who was going to go with us and drive us had to cancel, so we biked all the way down to his house.  Wheww!

Wednesday Feb. 3:  We were able to go see Jack Turner (a less-active) and we talked to him; we have a pretty good relationship with him.  We really hit on church attendance and receiving revelation there.

We had a lesson with Brother Jack Nillson - he was telling us how he's done all the temple work for his family, as if to say he's done all he needs to do.  He's a good man. just not much desire to come to church.

We had a good lesson with Courtney and Johnathan, it was about the Plan of Salvation.  We helped them understand the big picture.  I recently thanked Courtney for being a mother, and promised her that her 8 yr. old son, Lucas, would be my age (almost 20) someday, and realize how much his mother did for him, and want to do nothing more than to be with her as much as possible, and thank her tons and tons!
Thank you so much, Mom!

Ward Missionary Coordination meeting was tonight, also.

Thursday Feb. 4:  We had our weekly planning.

The Roanoke YSA Elders came with us to downtown Roanoke Inc. where we coordinated with them; we went to the library to find out events that are coming up.  We are going to do St. Patrick's Day parade float.  We'll probably do Family History theme: "Are you Irish?" or "Do you have Irish Heritage?" 

Bummer story: Ginia's husband texted and called us and told us that she wasn't interested.  We never talked to her.

Brother Gary Tourville - what a goof ball

We did have an exceptional lesson with Brother Gary Tourville on the restoration.  It's interesting to see that members who go less active often times forget the basic doctrine of the Gospel.  Our job, as missionaries, is to teach them and re-ignite that testimony and knowledge.

Brother Lloyd fed us dinner

Brother Lloyd

and we were able to teach a less-active on preparing him to share his testimony on The Restoration.

We contacted a media referral named, Felicia, who had requested a Bible.  We set up a return appointment with her.

Friday Feb. 5:  We had a zone meeting which was excellent.

We went on exchanges with the Salem 2 Elders.  Elder Rose came to Roanoke with me.  He's an awesome Elder (he came out with me on the plane).  We had a really good exchange!

We were able to teach the Shorter's at the Laymon's house.  

Haylee & Devon Shorter

Haylee (age 13) is a recent convert, and her brother, Devon (age 9) is technically an investigator.  They are moving down to Texas, but we were really excited to teach them one last time.

We met a girl in her 20's that we tried to talk to - she felt bad that she couldn't talk longer, but she did pull back by, and went and bought us some O.J.

We had a great lesson with Courtney and Johnathan that was focused on the Atonement.  They were very grateful, but are still hesitant about everything.  They are coming to church this Sunday, though!

We also had a focused lesson on the Book of Mormon with Brian.  We really want him to read the Book of Mormon, start to finish. 

Saturday Feb. 6:  We exchanged back.

We had dinner with the Bell's.  We gave a great spiritual thought on "God is our loving Heavenly Father."

We also met the Toler family; a semi-active family. 

Sunday Feb. 7:  Brian came to church.
Jack Turner came to church.
Brother Ostrander came to church - we recently just found him; he's a less-active member, but he was really excited it was Fast and Testimony Meeting, so he came and bore his testimony!
Johnathan and Courtney came!  They were a bit late, but they also stayed for Sunday School!
We had a lesson with Brother Ostrander - he proceeded to text us updates of the Super Bowl every hour, after the lesson.  He's a really awesome guy.  We are excited to work with him, and help him return to full activity, hopefully.


Love You All!

-Elder Ryan Brenchley