The First Inaugural Meeting for the Botetourt Branch

Hey Y'all! 

This week was great, and can be followed up with one word: EXCITEMENT! 

Elder Shirley and I are staying in Botetourt for another transfer.

The first Inaugural meeting for the Botetourt Branch was held on Sunday and everyone is so excited to get things growing!  Truly, what is a branch?  It branches off from the main tree, and grows and grows and grows! 

The Sacrament meeting bulletin for the FIRST EVER meeting of the Botetourt Co. Branch

We had our first ever investigator in Botetourt County at church with Sister Angie Rogers coming to the first ever meeting of the Branch! 

However this Friday, I have several good friends go home from this Mission, and it will be sad to see them go, and the Mission will miss them. 

Tues. May 31:  We were able to email today due to the Memorial Day holiday yesterday, and the libraries being closed.

{a pretty lake}

 

Then our appointment with the Davis' cancelled, then we weren't able to make it out to Misty or the Overby's because we didn't have miles left at this last day of the month, and they didn't ever answer the phone to confirm our appointment.

But, while tracting in Daleville, we found a man named, Bruce.  He's a firefighter and he knows some members (active and inactive).  He says he's been to every single church in the Roanoke Valley, so he's experienced a lot of confusion and can see the corruption in all the different churches.  Luckily, he wasn't too closed minded to listen to us about The Apostasy and The Restoration of Jesus Christ's Gospel. 

Wed. June 1:  I went on exchanges today with Elder Young; he came with me to Botetourt, and we met a nice old couple, who's actually taken the missionaries out to eat before.  They weren't interested in us teaching them, however.

We found a new investigator named, Torey.  He's a really cool guy, who just needs direction and help in his life.  He realizes he's made a lot of bad decisions in his life and wants to get his life back in order.

Then on the same street, we found Karen Guffey and her daughter, Martha - just such humble people, and so friendly, too!  They gladly listened to the message of the Restoration, and committed to read and pray, and be baptized! 

It was such a good day! 

Thur. June 2:  We had our District meeting.

We got 39 cent wings at Maccadoo's for Elder Hepworth's Birthday.

We had a lesson with the Clark couple.  The Gentry's" came along.  Sister Clark  needs to experience more of the blessings promised to her, and we need to help her see all the benefits she gets from all the blessings that are for her in relation to the Gospel. 

The Gentry's gave us a ride up to Eagle Rock, where they live, and we were able to work the area... only to find out it's completely out of the Stake boundaries. :/ 

We had dinner at the Cummings'/Gentry's (Sister Cummings' parents).  It was good to be with President Cummings, and then his Counselors came over for a presidency meeting, and we were able to express our love and our excitement to serve them and help build the Branch. 

{SUNSETS!!!}

 
Fri. June 3:  We weekly planned - during this, Misty let us know that she'd decided she didn't want to meet with us anymore, and would begin attending a Baptist church instead. :/ 

Brother Keeton came with us, but Angie had to reschedule and Joanne wasn't home.  Chuck had to cancel, as well. 

A nice Baptist couple let us in.  They were really sweet, but were still closed off from our message. 

Sat. June 4:  We checked out apartments today (two in Daleville and one in Fincastle).

We talked to a girl named Amanda while out and about trying to contact a former investigator.  She was house-sitting for them, but she was interested in the Book of Mormon, which we gave to her, and we were able to pass her info on to the YSA Elders.

We had a lesson with Sister Angie Rogers and Brother Morse came with us.  She committed to come to church with us tomorrow. 

The Moore's took us out to Leonardo's since the road to their house was washed away (thanks to a crazy thunderstorm about 3 p.m.) 

We also taught Brian Griswauld for the first time, he said the message made a lot of sense. 

Sun. June 5:  We went up to Coaling Road in the morning. No one was interested, but we were able to say "Hi" to our Hippie friend who makes glass pipes. 

We had a lesson with Brother Keeton at the church before church began! 

We met up with Angie at the Burger King, and then she followed us to church - for the First Ever meeting of the Botetourt Branch.  It might have been a little weird for her, since we sustained basically all the new callings in the Branch, which involved us raising our hand every 30 seconds. 

{Hanging with the Cook's!  They are our awesome landlords who give us ice cream!}

 

Mon. June 6:  Zone Meeting.

Zone Meeting

{Elder Webber, me, and Elder Palmer}

 

Well, just remember how exciting life is and how wonderful the Gospel is!  Congrats to Dad turning 45 today!  And Brookie May is getting baptized on Saturday!  WooHoo! 

Also, I quickly want to say how much of a blessing it is to repent and to change.  We can truly do this through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Thank our Heavenly Father for this wonderful process! 

Alma 5:33 

33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

Love You All!

Love, Elder Brenchley