This is a Marvelous Work and a Wonder I and WE are a part of and I testify of that!
We had a wonderful week this past week. Even though I spent most of P-Day sick, it was an awesome week! The week included: a wonderful Zone Conference, finding 7 new investigators! (THANK YOU for all the prayers in helping us build up the new Botetourt area!), and a wonderful fireside we had with a great attendance!
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| {May in Botetourt County!} |
Mon. May 9th: Elder Shirley got a haircut and we emailed.
We made a trip to Wal-mart - and that's where it hit me; lots of stomach pain...and just like that, I was sick for the rest of P-Day.
Tues. May 10th: We were able to have our first lesson with Sister Joanne Poindexter. She wrote an article on Mormon missionaries for the Roanoke Times several years ago, and that's how we found her name! She is a very strong Baptist, and has been going to the same Baptist Church since birth. She was intrigued with the idea of a Prophet being here on the earth; she would want to hear from him first, to see if he was good. She was also a little hesitant about Baptism, as we invited her at the end of The Restoration lesson. But she is so nice and very willing to learn more.
Angie cancelled, so we went and visited Sister Lafon, one of the oldest members in the ward. What a sweet, old lady.
We met a guy named, Chuck - he was very open let us right in. He's a "My-door-is-always-open" kind of guy. He likes the missionaries, but seemed to have some walls up against the message, but I will keep you posted with him.
Wed. May 11th: We had a wonderful zone conference! I received wonderful insights and things to improve on. We took what we learned from zone conference and went right to work, and started reaping the fruit of those efforts!
We taught Priscilla and her daughter, Michelle; both are very open and welcoming. She had talked to missionaries before, but nothing ever came of it until we came by [years later] to follow-up! They accepted the invite to read and pray about the Book of Mormon.
Then we contacted a less-active member.......to be short in writing, he didn't want to be contacted. 😛 But he did give us a referral to a family who just moved in on that street!
We also, in the same neighborhood, found and taught Wayne. He's a really solid guy (literally he works out and stays in shape). He's a Sunday School teacher at his church, so he knows the Bible well, but he wasn't boastful about it. He played college and semi-pro football. We were really excited to find him. He also, too, was over the top hospitable and very eager to have us back for more discussions.
Thur. May 12th: After we did our weekly planning, Brother Chris Winkler came with us for the whole day.
We had a lesson with Brother and Sister Clark. We need to help her recognize the Spirit and hopefully help her connect-the-dots to other times in her life when she has felt the Spirit.
We found Judi and Glen Overby. Judi was a media referral from January, who never got her Bible. We were able to go by and deliver that, as well as teach The Restoration. Her husband joined the lesson near the end, and he was really excited to read the Book of Mormon. It was awesome to find these two!
Then we were able to make it to our appointment with Misty. She's wonderful! She's such a sincere seeker of the truth. We were sure to teach The Restoration simply. She accepted a Baptismal date for July 2nd, and then she asked us, "What time?" We'd never been asked that question when we've first extended the Baptismal date invitation, so we responded, "What time works good for you?"
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| (Elder Shirley said I could put this one on here - since I snapped the picture) |
Fri. May 13th: We had District meeting, and then we went on exchanges afterwards; Elder Hepworth came with me to Botetourt County. We were working this one area, and it was interesting.....we interacted with some really annoyed people. We also came up to this one old guy smoking on the his porch (long, gnarly hair and a beard), and we started talking to him. Elder Hepworth asked him, "What role has Jesus Christ played in your life?" He responded, "That's the thing...I am Jesus Christ." I didn't know how to respond! He gave us a referral, though! So, we can say we got a referral from Jesus!
We had a good visit the Yates couple. She's been a member for her whole life and he's a convert, but went inactive soon after he was baptized. We invited them to the devotional, and it felt like the question hung in the air for an eternity before he said, "I'll see."
Sat. May 14th: We started the day out by contacting a less-active member, who was surprised to see us because he thought he had taken his name off the rolls. He let us in, though, and gave us some water. His girlfriend was there, as well; they are both returned missionaries. It was sad to see, though, how they are completely atheist now and don't have really anything to hope for in life. They mentioned they had a strong testimony in the Church at one time, but bit by bit, things just began to shake their Faith.
We had a visit with the Morse couple. They told us to go check up on their neighbor, Dennis, who has met with the missionaries before. We stopped by on him and he had us in, but said he will never go to church (of any kind). He hasn't ever gone since he was 12 yr. old. He is a nice enough older man, and he said he will take us out to dinner sometime.
Sun. May 15th: Brother Keeton and Sister Smith came to church today. It was good to see them there. Elder Shirley and I taught the Gospel Principles class: The Church of Jesus Christ in modern times.
The fireside this evening was great! It was probably doubled in attendance from the last one. We weren't able to get any investigators there, but we'd asked Brother Keeton to give the opening prayer, so you bet he was there!
Well, to add some thoughts and testimony to the end of this email: it is remarkable the great Work and the Wonder that has come about because of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There has been so many truths restored that were once lost. The power of God, the ministering of angels, Forever families! It is truly remarkable! In less than 200 years, the Church has grown to over 15 million strong! And for the year of 2015, the number of converts was more than double the number of children of record joining the Church. However, there is still work to be done! We must continue to hasten the work, by strengthening our testimonies so that our faith can not be shaken (see Jacob 7:5)
5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.
We can also take the gospel to our family members, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, co-workers, and the rest of God's children. Life is better lived, with something to live for! So, let's give them the Gospel!
I Love You all!
Love, Elder Brenchley
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