Happy beginning of Spring and Happy Easter week (this past week). The weather was so great here, and I loved riding around this week, and talking to many friendly people. It was a blessing to be a missionary this week. I felt so blessed.
Mon. March 21: P-Day.
We were able to teach Myra and Roxanne today; we went over Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We asked them what their thoughts are of being baptized, specifically being baptized on April 9th. They said they both need to pray about it more. I can sense we will probably need to move their date back for their benefit. I think it will be good for them.
Brother McBride came with us to the Gasore family. Are you ready - I finally have all their names down:
Francouir and Joseph (father and mother)
Their kids are: Claudine (27), Gordiano (25) , Beneza (20), Belline (14), Marissa (10)
Claudine has two kids: Amie (6) & Kevin (3)
Beneza is married to Fabian (29); they have one son, Benefait (2)
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| Kevin and Amie (two of the Gasone's kids). Is Kevin wearing a skirt? ;) |
Tues. March 22: We were downtown a lot today; we were talking to people and inviting them to check out the FollowHim.mormon.org website.
We were able to teach David St. Clair today. He was a media referral from a while back, and we were FINALLY able to teach him today. He is really interested in knowing more. He's a good, humble guy, and is really excited for Superman vs. Batman movie.
We saw Brother Lloyd.
We had a pretty rough middle-of-the-day - it seemed like many people were a little extra vocal today about how they weren't interested and couldn't care less to even take a #Hallelujah Easter pass-along card. We ended up just having the need to pray on the side of the road and asked to have something good happen. Our prayers were answered with the very next person we were able to try! His name is Jim Flemings. When me and Elder Maxfield found him, he had just lost his wife the week before. Between then and now, we were never able to contact him. But, we were able to teach him today, and promise him the blessings of forever families and the Restoration of the priesthood. He's a nice old man and I'm jealous of his bowling skills.
We had a visit with Brother Ostrander and Elder Jolley was able to get to know him.
Wed. March 23: We set up a return appointment with John Kasey - it was good to see he's still OK.
On the same street, we tried to contact a Bill Hayes. There was a man sitting on Bill's porch, and we asked him:
" Hello Sir, does a Bill Hayes live here?"
"No, see Bill broke his leg, so we shot him!"
"What?" Are you serious?"
"Yep, we just finished burying him in the backyard this morning!"
"Wow, so what's your name then?"
"My name is Clyde. Clyde Kadiddle-hopper-hopper."
"How do you spell that?"
"With one Kadiddle and 2 Hoppers!"
Elder Jolley had yet another bike problem; something completely tore through the tire and the tube.(Needless to say, this man was crazy or just pulling our leg. We are still busting up laughing about him. He said we could come back on Saturday, and maybe Bill would be there.
We were able to have a lesson with Garrett and Garywas there. We taught the second half of the Plan of Salvation, and he really enjoyed it. He said he wouldn't come to church this week because he had to watch UVA in March Madness. :/
Missionary Coordination meeting.
Thur. March 24: We did our weekly planning today.
We dropped off Elder Jolley's bike.
Brother Richardson was out with us and we had two appointments cancel during that time, but we were able to see Sister Hale, however. She's excited to come to church on Sunday, then General Conference next week.
We had dinner at Brother Avery's house. He fed us some really good crock-pot turkey and vegetables. He liked the FollowHim.mormon.org video, but still isn't sure on what to believe in life.
We met two young men who invited us to play basketball with them - we might have to take them up on their offer, but they were cool and asked about what we did. We were able to share with them about Easter coming up, and the importance of knowing HOW to follow Jesus Christ.
Fri. March 25: Elder Jolley and I agreed that this was one of the happiest days of our mission! It wasn't because of the amount of lessons we taught or the amount of success we had. It was just such a great day; people were so friendly, it was warm, it was awesome riding our bikes around, it just felt good to be out serving the Lord and meeting so many of his sheep.
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| {Some random guy gave us some of Mtn. Dew on a hot day!} |
We were able to get back in contact with Brad Behan and he's super cool. He's going to have us over for steak sometime this week.
We were able to have Brother Caen take us to see Becky and her two sons, David (11) and John (15). It was awesome to teach this family. They were one of the families we talked to while at the St. Patrick's Day parade. David is really smart and asked a ton of questions. He thinks he can beat me in basketball. Haha.
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| Look what I found! UTAH! |
Sat. March 26: We were able to contact several people today. Unfortunately, John Kasey wasn't there for his appointment, and, on the same street, we weren't able to have "Part 2" of Clyde Kadiddlehopperhopper; he was gone at that moment.....or maybe he got shot, too....?
We had several people cancel, as well, unfortunately, including Myra and Roxanne. :(
We did get to see Susan today with some of her past fellow-shippers, Sister Hess and Sister Turner. Brother Winkler came, too, so we could have a male. It was a crowded room! We were able to hear some of her concerns about not being raised in the Church, to which Sister Hess and Sister Turner talked to her about their conversions. Susan was really excited to watch the Woman's Session of Conference that night.
We had dinner at the Blevins - it was Elder Jolley's first time being over there, actually; they were good company as always.
We ran over to see Jasim since he requested us to visit him. He basically told us that he's Muslim and wants it to stay that way. However, he calls us his friends, and wants to feed us. :)
We did another basic, simple lesson with the Gasore family on Faith and Repentance. Brother McBride (our "French translator") informed us that this whole time Francouir and Gordiano don't speak that good of French anyway, so it's kind of hard to communicate with them. It might take time for this family to join the Church and understand the gospel. It might be a couple of years for them to learn English, and then be able to stay active in the Church, but they are such a great, humble family, and Francouir, the father, really expressed how much he wants us to keep coming back.
Sun. March 27: Easter Sunday! 19 months a missionary as well!
It was a great church meeting, and I felt the Spirit so strong throughout all three hours, as all the lessons were focused on the life of the Savior and His Atonement. We also sang two songs in the church choir today.
The Gospel Principles teacher didn't show up today, so we had to teach that class at the last minute; we did alright. While we were teaching the Gospel Principles class, the lesson was on the Life of the Savior. I had the class take a whole minute and reflect, in silence, what the Savior had done for them, and what he means for each one. It filled the Spirit in that classroom
Unfortunately, none of our investigators came to church, or any of the less-actives we've been working with.
We were able to set up a return appointment with man named, Darrell, who stopped us on the side of the street one time this week. He had met with missionaries in Richmond, and was excited to start meeting with us again! He's great!
We had dinner again at the Blevins'; this time Jack Turner was there, as well.
Well, what a great Easter week. I hope each of us can continue to reflect on what the Savior has done for you and what he means to you. Like in my Sunday School lesson I taught yesterday, I invite all who read this email to do the same; take a solid 60 seconds to just think of the Savior. I know it will bring the Spirit to your heart.
I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ lives. I know he is our Redeemer and friend. I know he rose on Easter Morn. I know, because He was resurrected, and through His Atonement, we can live again and be forgiven of all we have done. I invite each of you to believe on His name and continue to discover how to follow Him.
Love You All!
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