I'm Getting Transferred....to the Same Ward!

Hey Everyone!
I have plenty of pictures this week, so the email this week might not be so long-winded, but we have plenty of pictures (which are each worth a thousand words).

In other news...I am getting transferred and leaving downtown Roanoke and Elder Jolley.  :(  I will miss biking the streets of Roanoke!  So, this whole week I was telling people I was getting transferred and leaving Roanoke, giving my heart....and THEN, it ends up, I am not getting transferred far.  I am actually not even leaving the Roanoke 1st ward.  I will be getting transferred to Botetourt (Bot-i-Tot) County.  My new Companion will be an Elder Shirley.

Mon. April 18:  For P-day, we went on a sweet hike to McAfee's Knob. 

See that Peak out there?

 

McAfee's Knob

We got our photo right, EVENTUALLY......  :)

Yes!

 

{The hike down}

We had a lesson with Sister Myra Cotton and Sister Roxanne Woods.

Myra & Roxanne

We followed up with them,on how the Word of Wisdom is going, and how they liked church the day before.  There were some talks on the temple at church, so we were able to explain some things about that, and talked about how they can look forward to taking their family names to the temple.

We helped Brother Lloyd move in some furniture...

Brother Lloyd

then we had a visit with him.

Tues. April 19:  We went and visited Brother Jack Turner.  He's a big Baseball fan, so it's always fun to talk to him. 

We had a lesson with Jim Flemming.  Brother Jack Turner came with us.  Jim was baptized by his grandfather, who was a Methodist minister, so it's really hard for him to just give that up and come to the LDS church instead of the Methodist church, or think about being baptized by proper authority.

We went to dinner with the Bishop at Logan's Roadhouse. 

We were able to teach Courtney and Johnathan about Baptism and Confirmation. 

Courtney & Jonathan

We hope to help them understand forgiveness and the Atonement, because Courtney doesn't believe she is/or ever will be worthy to be baptized.

Wed. April 20:  We were going to see Sister Hale with Brother Bullion but she wasn't feeling up for a visit so we went and saw Susan.

Susan

And talked with her about taking steps of Faith and facing trials.

We were able to meet up with Brian at Virginia Western Community College, 

Brian

and have a lesson with him - we showed him President Monson's talk, "Choices." 

Sister Williams (the Bishop's wife) is the music director for the ward, and we (all 6 missionaries) are singing this week in church, so she had us over for dinner and to rehearse the song.

{L to R: Elder Boer, Elder Clawson, Sister Kirkby, Sister Ward, Elder Brenchley, Elder Jolley}

 

Thur. April 21:  We had our weekly planning and we spent some time making some fliers for the upcoming Fireside. 

Brother Winkler took us to give some service to his former neighbors, then he fed us at his house afterwards. 

We had a lesson with Myra and Roxanne.  Sister Vest and Brother Dion came with us to it.

We had a member visit with the Miller's

The Miller's

Fri. April 22:  We had District meeting in the morning.

It was raining BUCKETS today!  We got caught in the rain; we had to stand under a random garage for about 45 minutes.

We were able to go setup some return appointments with some potentials and investigators. 

We had dinner at the Blevins'.

The Blevins'

Sat. April 23:  We had a couple of appointments cancel today.  :(

We were able to teach Tiffany, a new investigator. 

The Vance family, who lives on the same block as Susan, came with us to see her.  They were so friendly and wonderful for her. 

We had a lesson with Patricia.

Patricia

  Brother Caen came with us. 

Brother Caen

 

On Saturday night, I got the call that I was getting transferred next week.

Sun. April 24:  Church was good; the missionaries sang, "I Need Thee Every Hour." 

Myra had surgery on Friday, so she and Roxanne couldn't come.  At the time, I thought I was leaving Roanoke 1st Ward, so I was saying a lot of good-byes. 

The Fredrick's delivered a care package to me that Sister Fredrick had received from my mom when she was visiting in Utah this past week and went to my Farmington home to meet my family.

{Adam, a 9 yr. old kid in the ward - he saw me taking pictures with everyone, so he wanted one.}

We had three lessons cancel the rest of the day.  :(

We had dinner at the Blevins'.  (Then, afterwards, Sister Blevins called my mom and talked with her on the phone!  It's her "tradition" whenever an Elder is getting transferred out.)

Mon. April 25:  We had a visit with Brother Lloyd.

And then a visit with Garrett.

Garrett

  

We taught Courtney and Johnathan about the Atonement and forgiveness; they were really sad to see me go, BUT, what I didn't know until later Monday night, is that if they come to church, they can see me in the Roanoke 1st ward now.

We also went and saw Myra and Roxanne and taught them the Law of Chastity.  Myra was crying that I was leaving.

We saw Brother Avery, as well! 

Brother Avery

Well, that about sums up the week!  Look for all the pictures!  There is plenty of them! 

Andre Watkins

 

The Laymon's

The Gasore Family

 

Sister Arthur

Sister Hale

{a place we've had to go to get our bikes fixed a time...or ten!}

I found an interesting scripture this week, that'd I love to bear testimony of. 

1 Corinthians 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I know we are tempted with many things every single day; things that distract us, things Satan tries to trip you up with.  However, I know God will give us the strength to resist all temptations, and to choose right.  We will not be perfect, but we can always rely on God.  His team is the winning team! 

I Love You all! 

Love, Elder Brenchley

Workin' in the 'Hood

Mon. April 11:  P-Day.  We had the 3rd Brenchley Invitational; it was a good turnout of missionaries, but not too many non-members came.

Baller update: I'm playing good ball, and can now grab the rim!  White guys can jump!  Maybe?

We had dinner at the Vance's house.  They are a brand new family that moved into the ward (and our area).  They will be such a blessing to Roanoke 1st ward.  They have 4 kids who are teenagers (ages 19,18,16,14).  They are really kind and awesome. 

The zone leaders were nice enough to loan us their car for an hour so we could go pick up Brother Frankie Rosser.  

{Shh...don't tell anyone, but the "Bike Elders" are using the car}

 

Brother Frankie Rosser was going to come with us to Myra and Roxanne's but his car broke down.  He came with us to the lesson, and he bore his powerful testimony of the Word of Wisdom, and we explained that.  He said his life has done a 180 since he has lived the Word of Wisdom.  He's their cousin and you can't get a better member fellowshipper than a family member who really loves them. 

Tues. April 12:  We had a brief lesson with Brian on Virginia Western's campus (where he goes to school).

We found a new investigator named Ben - he's a real humble guy.

Brother Gentry came with us to see Jim Flemming.  Brother Gentry is a former Methodist, like Jim currently is, so he was really good for Jim's lesson. 

We had a good visit with Brother Ostrander - he still has some doubts about the Church, but said he might come this Sunday.

Wed. April 13:  We had several appointments reschedule for today, so not too much to talk about today. 

We went to dinner at the Gundlach's and had Missionary Coordination meeting.

Thur. April 14:  We had interviews with President Salisbury this morning at the church.  They were really uplifting - he said he was going to miss me come August.  He also encouraged me to study Mosiah 1 & 2, and look for the keys to success (see the end of the email).

I had a dentist appointment with the Cave Spring ward's dentist, and he was able to fix my loose retainer.  The zone leaders had to take time out of their schedule, so I bought them a Little Caesar's pizza. 

We had two visits fall through again.

We talked to Chad - he's a really cool guy, a Methodist, but he did Missionary Work, so I think that alone softened his heart, and he wanted us to come back. 

Fri. April 15:  We had a visit with Brother Lloyd, and Sister Vest joined us for that.  We focused on how we can endure to the end, by studying in 2 Nephi 31.

We then biked to Myra and Roxanne's.  Sister Vest really wanted to come with us too, but we couldn't ride in her car by ourselves, so we biked probably 15 blocks, up and down hills, and we beat Sister Vest who drove her car!  Anyway, we had Brother Arrington meet us up there, too, and all four of us had a good follow up lesson on the Word of Wisdom with Myra and Roxanne.  The only thing that will be a struggle for them is tea, and the occasional cup of coffee.  Both Brother Arrington and Sister Vest were able to bear testimony of when they first started living the Word of Wisdom.

We were in the 'hood today!  I almost watched a fight break-out between a guy named Charles and three teenagers.  Charles yelled at them, "I've been in this 'Hood my whole life!"  I guess that made the teenagers back off.

{A funny licence plate I saw}

 

Sister Thornton came with us to Johnathan and Courtney.  We talked about Faith, and having the faith to follow God's will.  We bore testimony that it was God's will for them to be baptized and join the true Church of Jesus Christ. 

We went to the Baptism of Zuleica Crosse.  She's a 9-year old in the Sister's area, so she's technically a convert Baptism.  Us four Elders were asked to sing at the Baptism.  I picked my favorite Baptism song, "When I am Baptized." 

Sat. April 16:  We were guided by The Spirit to make a wrong turn or two, and we were led to a lady who was interested in our message; she lived in the zone leaders' area, but they taught her on Sunday.

We had dinner at the Laymon's.  We were able to "game plan" with them about how to continue to help Johnathan and Courtney, as well as other people, accept the Gospel. 

We gave a lesson to Patricia, and Brother Steedman came with us.  We were able to make progress with her, and were able to get her the Book of Mormon on her Smart Phone, with big text, so she can read now.  Brother Steedman is trying to convince us to become nurses.  I'm thinking about it.

Sun. April 17:  Myra and Roxanne came to church!  They both loved it!  Everyone there loves them!  They felt The Spirit throughout all the meetings.  It is only a matter of time for them - they are both so wonderful!

Myra wrote me and Elder Jolley this poem (they can't say/remember my name, so they always call me "Elder B")

 .

We had a lesson with a our newer investigator named Ben.  He had read all the way to 1 Nephi 11, since Tuesday.  He enjoyed the Restoration lesson, and said he'd think about Baptism.  He also said he'd be a hard convert ( he didn't say he wouldn't, just that it'd be hard).  :)  We talked to two guys right downstairs from Ben, who were high on a particular illegal substance, and they were not all there.  They couldn't believe our beliefs related to the Word of Wisdom.

In our lesson with Brother Nate Henegar, we showed him, "Choices" - the clip of President Monson's talk from this past conference.  We talked with him what "harder right" instead of the "easier wrong" choices he needs to start making in his life (like coming to church, living the Word of Wisdom, etc.)

We were able to have a lesson with some new investigators named, Anthony and Chiquita.  Anthony was asking all the right questions, however he did like to expound, and Chiquita kept glaring at him because he was talking too much, and she wanted to listen to us!

We had a lesson with another new investigator named, Kim.  Brother Blevins and Brother Vogel came with us.  The lesson was very disruptive, because she had four kids climbing, screaming everywhere! 

Sasha, who we found and taught last week, texted us, and basically said she wasn't interested and was fine with her own church.  We went over there, in Faith, and bore our testimonies and taught The Restoration, which answered a lot of her questions.  I know she felt The Spirit, no doubt.  She said, "You are good!"  It actually was The Spirit that was good!  We saw her heart soften to the message, and she said she'd keep the Book of Mormon, but she didn't want to schedule a return appointment without talking to her husband.  We were saddened because she was really awesome, but someday missionaries can have the wonderful opportunity to pick up where we left off. 

Well, that's the week!  The weeks keep flying by, and I think it's because we strive to be so busy! 

So, back to thinking of Mosiah 1 & 2, like President Salisbury encouraged me to study, and look for the advice King Benjamin gives to his sons and his people to see success...he also told me if I would apply it in my life, I would see success. 

As I studied the two chapters, I loved the simple tips throughout.  But a reoccurring one, was Keep the Commandments.  

I think Mosiah 2:41 sums it up really well! 

 41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

I love this Gospel so much!  Let us see what we can do, what commandments we can keep better, so we can see success in our life, and be in a blessed and happy state, so that we may be blessed in temporal things and spiritual things. 

I love the Lord, and if I and you truly love him, we will keep his commandments.

Love, Elder Brenchley

Our Investigators: Expert Bowlers, Drunk, or Going to Jail {!}

Hey Y'all!

Anyone still on that General Conference high?  I know I am still!  It's nice to have all the titles of the talks, and I was able to download all of them to USB, and listen to them during lunch and dinner (since we don't have a car I can just plug it into anymore.) 

This week was a week of patience and learning.  I love learning, and feel like I really grew this week, as well.  If I can sum up what I learned this week, it is that Jesus is the way, and Be persistent! 

April 4, Mon:  P-day - we went bowling for P-Day!  

It was really fun and my high was 163.  Our investigator, Jim Flemming (who you'll hear about on Tuesday) is a bowler and his best score is 278, I think; all strikes with one spare).

Darell and David both weren't home today when we went to visit. Brother Lloyd had to reschedule, too, so everything just fell through.

Elder Jolley had a prompting we should go see Antionette.  We had planned to see her, but earlier.  We did, and she wasn't home, but we knocked her apartment complex and that's when we found Deja!  She just moved in two weeks ago and is looking for a church.  She was willing to listen to our message!  We taught her the Restoration and she was really excited for us to come back!  I mentioned, "Deja, I don't think it's a coincidence that we were able to find you tonight."  She replied, "I don't think so either."  She's so awesome...and then I slaughter her and her daughter's names (Domianna) in the closing prayer. :/

April 5, Tues:  We talked to Muhammad Karoma.  His family were former investigators.  At the time, 7 years ago, they were Muslim, but they are Christian now.  Muhammad went to SVU for a year, so he was interested in talking to Mormons after going to a "Mormon School."

The only real highlight of the day was is that we were able to go and teach Jim with Brother Richardson.  We invited Jim to be baptized, and he wasn't sure about Priesthood Authority.  Brother Richardson bore his testimony - we will definitely go over everything again with Jim, but it's really tough for him to feel the Spirit of our message without being able to read from the Book of Mormon. (his large print Book of Mormon came on Saturday).

April 6, Wed:  We did a lot better job at talking to people today, and tried some new streets.

Brother Winkler was going to come with us to see our investigator, Saprinia - when we texted her to confirm our appointment, she told she would be in jail for the next couple of months to a year......... So that's a bummer. :/

Nate Henear, the ward's most recent convert, wasn't home either when we went to go see him.

We went to Taco Bell to make our day a little bit better.

We had Missionary Coordination meeting tonight.

April 7, Thur:  We did our weekly planning.

We visited with Brother Lloyd; he's not doing too well, and we hope we can help him keep his recent convert fire.

We were able to have a good visit with Brother Jack Turner - his aunt had just passed away, so he was really appreciative of the uplifting visit. 

Today, we got pelted with rain!

We knocked on one man's door on Windsor Ave, and he was very uninterested, but he gave us two referrals!  One of those was a sweet, older lady named, Hillevi.  She's from Sweden and she is really fun and friendly.  She said she couldn't be Mormon, but we still wanted to come share our message with her.  She was real fun to talk to. 

April 8, Fri:  Happy 14th birthday to my sister, Haylee!

We started the day off with a wonderful zone meeting; I really enjoyed the teaching portion of getting along with your companion, and how much power you have when you are in unity.

{Me and my companion, Elder Jolley, united-ly eating Mac & Cheese and drinking blue punch together!}

 

The Vaassen family and Hodge family always feed the missionaries after zone meeting.  It's a fun get together!

Then we went on exchanges; Elder Young came with me to Roanoke.  We had a very busy and very uplifting exchange.

We were able to go see Courtney with Brother Winkler - she is changing so much.  I think it's been the humbling experience of a week-long sickness, great member friends (the Lloyd's), and actually opening up the Book of Mormon that is helping this change.  We were able to define the word, "Atonement" for her, and Brother Winkler committed her to come to church.

We also went and saw Sister Jeanie Hale, since we had a male (Brother Winkler) with us.  We reviewed what she liked about Conference, and taught about keeping the Sabbath Day holy.

We went to talk to people downtown.  Elder Young wanted to do some training on how to better engage people, and teach them the brief Restoration.  I liked the practice and being able to feel confident about talking to people.  Even though no one was interested, if we keep at it, someone will be led to us.

We went to Steven and Kayla's (a potential investigator couple).  Kayla started out by saying, "I have my own church, and I appreciate what you do."  We could have totally been like, "Alright, well, call us if you need anything."  BUT Elder Young is a good example of being persistent.   I hope to apply that more.  We just started teaching her and helping her feel the Spirit.  By the end of our little porch talk (Steven had come out at this point, too), she was asking if she could have a Book of Mormon!  It was a really cool experience.  They are moving to the zone leaders' area, but we will pass them on.

We originally went to go see Garrett, but he wasn't available, so we were able to have a lesson with Brother Gary Tourville.  This was really good; he has been confused on the Godhead, and we were able to teach the doctrine.

Cowling's came with us to Myra and Roxanne's.  Roxanne actually wasn't feeling good, so we were just able to teach Myra.  Cowling's (who are converts) did a good job of testifying of the blessings of the Gospel and living it day to day.  We taught the importance of being obedient to the commandments.

We had dinner at the Blevins'; chili taco salad.  Brother Blevins said we put a dent in it.  I felt like it put a dent in me!

Brother Blevins came with us to see Brian.  Brian really wants to get back to living the lifestyle of a Mormon.  He hasn't been going to church, doing scripture study, etc.  He recognized he didn't have the spirituality he had when he was meeting with us.  

April 9, Sat:  We exchanged back -it was a really good exchange with Elder Young.

Elder Jolley and I started our day off by prioritizing, calling, and planning to see former investigators. 

We were able to sit down and have a Gospel discussion with Muhammad and his father, Edmund.  They accepted a Book of Mormon.  Muhammad is going back to Africa for three weeks, but he told us that his mother goes to a Latter-Day Saint church in Sierra Leon, and he will probably get married to his fiance in an LDS church.  Cool! 

We met Tiffany; she seemed interested in our message.  We set-up a return appointment...after she told us she was drunk. :/

We went to try the other referral on Windsor Avenue, and Hillivi was walking her dog.  She came up to us and talked to us - again she stated she wasn't going to be Mormon, and she didn't want us to come over on Monday evening.  She can talk!  Being persistent, we talked about why we wanted to share the Gospel with her -- so she and her husband (who had passed away 20 years ago) could be together forever.  

She said, "I'm not sure about living again."  

I asked her, "Do you not believe in living again with God?" 

And she said, "Do you really believe you can live again, after death, with your family?" 

I looked her straight in the eyes, and gently but boldly said, "YES!"  

She said she's not ready for us, but maybe if we would have come 20 years ago when her husband died she would have been ready.  

I then asked her, "Would you pray to God and ask him why he let us meet you at this point in her lifetime?"  

She started crying, and said, "Thank you," tried to give us an awkward hug, but then walked away because she was too caught up in her emotions and couldn't contain herself, and she didn't want to be embarrassed by crying in front of us.  I know with all my heart that the Spirit touched her heart and it overwhelmed her.  I know she felt something she had never felt before.  I will definitely go visit her again before I leave Roanoke. 

We also had a visit with the Toler family.  

April 10, Sun:  We had Ward Conference today - it was really good, I really enjoyed the teachings/training of President Bohon and President Light from the Stake Presidency. 

We were hoping for five people today at church (Courtney & Johnathan, Brian, Myra & Roxanne), but only Myra ended up coming with her cousin, Brother Rosser.  We were still happy to get her.

After Church, President Light came with us to see Brother Lawerance in the Nursing Home; he really isn't doing well now.  President Light brought his iPad and showed him President Monson's Sunday morning address from General Conference.  Brother Lawerance really enjoyed that. 

We were able to find and teach Brenda and Wesley, an African-American couple in their 60's.  They have such a testimony of prayer, and we built off of that. 

It was Fast Sunday here, so it was good to have dinner, but also to remember who and what I was fasting for all day. 

While looking for a former investigator, we found a woman named, Sasha.  She is from Rochester, NY, and was very familiar with the Mormon beliefs because she lived so close to Palmyra.  She accepted a Book of Mormon, and we are excited to teach her again. 

{View of Roanoke from a bridge}

 

So, going back to what I learned this week:

Jesus Christ is the way and be persistent. 

I studied, in depth, 2 Nephi 31.  It is becoming my favorite chapter of scripture.  I would challenge all of the email readers to do the same!  Let me know if you will take the challenge.  It simply teaches the doctrine of Christ, and is so powerful in just a short 21 verses.   I will just expound on the last two verses.  (Verse 20 happens to be the Youth Theme this year!) 

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Doesn't verse 20 just sound like having persistence? 

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.  And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end.  Amen.

Two plug-ins from Conference:
"Do you want to see your wife's heart melt?  Let her find you on the internet studying the doctrine of Christ, or reading your scriptures." -Russell M. Nelson

"There will be times when the path ahead seems dark, but keep following the Savior.  He knows the way; in fact, HE IS THE WAY." - Stephen W. Owen

I know Jesus Christ is the way, and sharing His Gospel, and living His Gospel takes persistence!

I Love You All!
Love, Elder Brenchley

On a General Conference High

Hey Y'all!

Happy General Conference weekend!
Wasn't it a wonderful General Conference?  If you missed any part of it, definitely go watch it online! I felt so uplifted and so motivated to go and share the goodness of the Gospel!  I am excited to review my notes; unfortunately I left my notebook at the church, so I will have to wait a couple of days. :(

Several of my favorite talks were given by: Donald L. Hallstrom, Dale G. Renlund, Mervyn B. Arnold, David A. Bednar, Stephen W. Owen, W. Christopher Waddell, D. Todd Christofferson, Gerrit W. Gong, & Jeffery R. Holland.

Conference definitely had to be the highlight of the week.  We had kind of a tough week, but I am ready to go and get after it for this week! 

Mon. March 28:  We played chair soccer at the church for P-day.

I grabbed a haircut, too.

We had four appointments set up for tonight.  And then, it ended up 0 for 4..... :(

Tues. March 29:  We received a media referral today; it has been a while since we have gotten one, but we are so grateful for it.

We found a Bangaldesh woman today while tracting - another soul found from another country.

Brother Basham was going to come with us to an appointment with Jim Fleming, but Jim had to reschedule.  Brother Basham still took us to Golden Corral and proceeded to tell us all of his mission stories.  It was cool.

Becky flaked out while we had Brother Huffman with us. 

We presented Myra and Roxanne with a new Baptismal calendar (something that shows when we will teach what lesson, and when they will be baptized.)  We moved their Baptismal date to April 23.  We also taught about following the Prophet. 

We had a cool visit with Brother Steedman - if you remember I once said it was my goal to make him laugh. (he's a very blunt character) Well, I think something better happened.  The Spirit touched his heart, as I felt prompted to compliment and point out how Brother Steedman resembles the Savior by calling his individuals/families he home teaches "his friends."  I noticed as I said this, he got teary-eyed.  It was a real cool experience and I felt like I need to share it with you all!

Wed. March 30:  We had two appointments fall through today.
We met Damian, a cool guy, who has quite the story, and all he wants is to give his daughter the best future he can.  His heart was humble and was ready to listen to us.
We had a lesson with Jim Flemings on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  He had heard the word, "Atonement," before, but the restored truths and knowledge we know the Atonement to be was a lot more hopeful and uplifting than what Jim previously knew it to be.

Brother Lawerance

We visited Brother Lawerance - his time left in this life is short, but he seemed glad that he had lived a good life.
All three sets of missionaries had dinner at Bishop Williams' house.  We then worked in Bishop's area, and after many people saying, "not interested" without even letting us speak, we finally had a good thing happen!  While walking down the road, we spotted a young man walking, as well.  We stopped and talked to him and he just flat out says, "Hey, I have a lady for you to go see."  His name was Seth and he, too, was interested, as well!  It was a wonderful miracle after much rejection.
We also spotted Brian at Virginia Western Community College while we were biking by.  He's alive! He's been busy on vacation, but we were able to get his new phone number and set up a return appointment. 

Thur. March 31:  District meeting was really good today, even though I was fighting some of the worst allergies I have ever been through.
We had a lesson with Sister Hale - she's so excited for Conference.  Brother Cowling came with us to that appointment.  Brother Cowling also came with us when we contacted the media referral.  Her name is Wanda; she requested a "Lamb of God" DVD and a Book of Mormon.  She knew we were good people, and we kept expressing we wanted to help bless her family.
Myra and Roxanne had to cancel.  :(
The Miller's also took us out for Chinese food.
We had a really spiritual visit with the Bells.  Sister Bell opened up and mentioned, at this point in her life, she hasn't needed to rely on God as much as when she first joined the Church, having just been divorced and having Cancer at that time.   This troubled me, because I really hope we can help her understand we always need to rely on God, no matter what the circumstances are and we can be close to God even if we are not going through trials. 

Fri. April 1: April Fool's Day.
We were able to visit with Sister Augustine and Sister Bowman because we had Brother Winkler with us.
We also went to see James Maxfield.  To our surprise he came out, handed us the Book of Mormon, and said, "I read.  Don't come back, and don't call me again."  However, something was missing from his statement.  I didn't sense any real intent or sincerity.  Nothing against James, but I can see why he doesn't believe in the Book of Mormon if he didn't read looking to receive anything.
We did our weekly planning.
We had a lesson with Garrett & Gary on The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We invited Garrett to be baptized on May 21st.  He and Gary want to come to a General Conference session tomorrow.
Brian had to cancel our lesson. :(
We had a lesson with Becky, David and John.  We read 2 Nephi 31 with them, and invited them to be baptized on June 4th.  Becky wants her uncles (who are members) up in Covington to baptize her.   

Sat. April 2: 6 hours of Conference was awesome!

We were able to get Garry and Garrett to come to the Saturday Afternoon session.
Then with the help of Brother Laymon, Johnathan came to the Priesthood session.  Johnathan and Courtney have been sick this past week, but Johnathan was able to get better just in time for Saturday, and really wanted to get out of the house.  What better way than Priesthood session!
Priesthood Session was a really good turnout.  It reminded me of Priesthood sessions back home! 

Sun. April 3:  Elder Jolley and I were able to walk around and try to talk to people; the stuff floating around in the air is kicking my butt though!  Elder Clawson gave me the idea to stand over a boiling pot of water.

It was the best I've felt all weekend. 

Conference was really good today, but we weren't able to get anyone to come - not even Myra and Roxanne or Brian. :(
We had Dinner with the Blevins and Jack Turner.
Then we had a visit with Jassim...

Jassim

...we forgot he was going to feed us dinner, so we were pretty full last night after double dinners.

He fed us some really good Iraqi food! 

I wish I could talk about how awesome General Conference was forever, but I have only a limited amount of time!

Some good quotes from this weekend:

"Some things can only be learned by faith." -Dallin H. Oaks. 

"No matter our age, we are called to go to the rescue." - Mervyn B. Arnold

"Discipleship is a form of leadership" - Stephen W. Owen

"He (Jesus Christ) is the greatest leader, because he is the greatest follower." -Stephen W. Owen

"If we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice." -Thomas S. Monson

"Remember who you are, and what God expects you to become." -Thomas S. Monson

I love you all.  If you love me, please go review as many Conference talks as possible! 

Love, Elder Brenchley