If You Want the Rainbow, You Gotta Put Up with the Rain

Hey Everyone!

I'll start this weekly email off with this quote we discussed in this past Zone Conference:

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.....but learning to dance in the rain!" 

And, boy, did we learn how to dance in the rain.  It did not stop raining this week.  To our knowledge, we think it rained every single day this past week!  We enjoyed it, though!

We did have a rough end of the week, where everyone cancelled appointments or people weren't interested.  But, we learn from Alma 8:14-16 that, Obedience is what is praised and is the key to God’s blessings.  The outcomes are the Lord’s." - President Salisbury

Well, I'll get to the week!

Mon. May 16: P-Day.

We played basketball at the church, where Elder Shirley rolled his ankle, so we proceeded to do everything in our power to make it feel better; ice, brace, walking it off.

Tues. May 17:  We were able to teach Peyton for the first time.  He said he wasn't sure about Baptism and wanted to stick to the KJV, but the Spirit and we helped him give this message a shot.
We had dinner with Bishop Williams, his wife, and all the missionaries from the ward.
Brother Winkler drove us around for the rest of the evening.
We went and saw Angie Rogers - she accepted Baptism, and we were able to teach her the first half of the Plan of Salvation.
Also, we saw Wayne Murrell and were also able to teach his son, D'Wayne!  They seemed a little hesitant to read anything we asked them to, but they had really good questions.
We contacted a referral from the Morse family; the man was really nice and listened as we taught The Restoration, but in the end, he was just fine with his Church of the Brethren.  So close!

Wed. May 18: We found two potentials for the YSA Elders in like 5 minutes!
The Kymball family (Priscilla and Michelle) dropped us over text and said we would not need to reschedule an appointment. :(
We found a wonderful family, the Wise family.  They said they have their own church, but were over the top friendly and we couldn't believe how welcoming they were!
We also had Missionary Coordination meeting today.

Thur. May 19: We had a member visit with the Allred family.
Then we were able to meet two really awesome women, just by knocking on doors, but they weren't interested, mainly because they were already heavily invested in their faith. (Baptist and Seventh Day Adventist).  Most of the people out here in Botetourt County are Baptist, though.
We had dinner with the Scroggins family, which is always the best!  We taught them the power of a simple testimony, and showed them the video, "A Man without Eloquence" https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-048-a-man-without-eloquence?lang=eng.  The kids really enjoyed it, and "A," the 10 yr old, remarked, "I never a knew a testimony could do so much!"  Oh, I love this family; they have quickly become one of my favorite families on my mission.
"M" had to cancel our appointment tonight. 

Fri. May 20: It was District meeting.
We tried formers and potentials, and knocked plenty of doors (while it rained) and not too many people were home, or just not interested.
Brother Turner was going to come with us to see Angie, but as he was picking us up, she cancelled very last minute!  Darn it!  Brother Turner still drove us around while we tried other people.
We picked up dinner from the "Diviney's."

Sat. May 21:  We spent most of the day in Fincastle, and we walked and met some real nice people - with some to little interest. 

We also checked out an apartment for rent.  It was so small, though - we don't think we could fit our two beds into one room.
Misty cancelled on us yet again.
We found and met a wonderful part-member family, the "Kotval's.  Sister Kotval is a member and her husband, Josh, was raised Mormon, but was never baptized.  They have an adorable, little, 2 year old daughter.
We met this older couple who had been married for 55 years - they told us everything we need to know about Fincastle.
We tracted these two streets, Brough's Mill and Plantation Road...And guess what we found?!?  Some Utah Utes fans!!!! 

I found some Utes fans clear out here in Virginia!

However, when we went to knock on their door, they yelled, "Not interested!"  And I tried to explain I was from Utah, and a huge Ute Fan, but they wouldn't let me get any words out.  Elder Shirley said after, "They probably think we're from BYU."
Well, we got poured on in the rain as we walked back to the car for about a mile.

Sun. May 22: As a Choir, we sang, "Be thou My Vision" in Sacrament Meeting.
Angie cancelled yet again.
The Humphries family cancelled.
We had a good visit with the Gwynn couple.  They are pretty cool, and are both lifetime members.  They are an assignment from the ward, since sometimes they are active and sometimes semi-active. 

Well, that's the week in review! 

I wanted to share this scripture that will be my ponderizing scripture this week.  Is "ponderizing" still a thing?

Alma 34: 31-32

31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

Just wanted to close with that.  We can partake of salvation now!  However, being Saved is not an event, but a process!  The Lord is always there with his hand outstretched, ready to continually save us from our fallen state, day after day.  It is our decision to "harden not your hearts" and to reach out and grab hold! 

I love the Savior.  I love His Gospel.  I love the family that raised me with a belief in Him and the Gospel, and I love everyone else who played a role in helping become who I am today!

Love, Elder Brenchley