Week Three (Five including MTC) and Running!‏

Happy March Y'all!

Wow, what a week. I don't know where to start..

Well there was more snow at the beginning of the week. Our cars were grounded but I honestly enjoy being able to get out and walk. Sulphur is pretty small and so we're able to walk from one side to the next in a day. All of the houses are pretty run down (a lot of Trailer Parks), most people have only a few teeth left, have heavy drawls and little yappy dogs, and ALL are incredibly nice. Yee. Haw.

I still can't believe it, but we were blessed with 8 investigators this week. Yes, that's right. 8. Sister Cottle is trying to keep telling me that this is NOT what it's like for, well, anywhere else most of the time. But I don't care. We're both on cloud nine right now.

We've got about 30'ish investigators now, and I want to be able to tell you about them all but I'll only have time for these eight freshies.

So the first tha comes to mind is Tom and Jan. They have been allowing us to come over for weeks now. They're an older couple (he just got laid off, but he was thinking about retiring soon anyways) who are just the nicest. They are both Baptist (surprise), and they say that they're "Not lookin' to gettin' converted, but would love to get to know more about The Mormons and come and check out our church". I think it was Saturday and we were able to sneak in our first official lesson with them, (before it had just been discussions and messages) which was the Plan of Salvation. The spirit was incredible. The POS is probably my favorite lessons to teach..as of right now. They both opened up about a lot of things and Tom started crying. It was wonderful, being able to testify of how they're going to be able to be together forever and how they're going to see all of their loved ones.

Another was Steve. Steve is some 40 year old guy (Most of our investigators are single men. They just seem to be a lot more open to us compared to the women that answer the doors...hm) but we met him late one night while we were out doing our thing. He had a can of beer in his hand but he told us to come back later sometime and we'd "Talk about Jesus". Well..we did. The other afternoon. He answered the door (with a bag of popcorn this time in his hand. Improvement. I love it) and we were able to share the Restoration with him on his porch. It was great and he's coming to church in Sulphur next week! (We hold church at the Sulphur Library every third sunday for those can't make it all the way to Paul's Valley every week)

Another was Susie. Susie we found while out tracting. We knocked on her door and when she opened it "Wham!", the smell of smoke rather took you off guard (everyone's house's are just rather 'smoky' around here though). We put our biggest smiles on though and while trying not to inhale, I immediately went off about how lovely this old dress things was that she was wearing (need to do it before they just immediately shut you down, saying "I'm a Baptist" ((Everyone's responses to us)). She smiled and boom, we were in. We walked into her home and were able to share the Restoration. The spirit was pretty great but the best part was when the closing prayer was said. I said it and when Sister Cottle and I looked up, Susie had tears streaming down her face. We were quiet for a moment, then quietly testified of his love for her and her family. Incredible.

My all time favorite this week though has been Michael and Donna. Oh boy, I can't wait to tell you all about this. So Michael is Donna's kind of step son and his wife and then all of her kids live in the house. Small house, big family. Party. But they were just potentials who told us to come back...every single time we knocked on their door. Which was a lot. We were pretty sure that they weren't interested, just trying to be nice because they felt bad for us. Well, we weren't going to go anymore, but we decided that we should try one last time. We knocked on their house and Donna answered. Wa-la, we were invited right in. They're all smiles and they kept apologizing for never letting us come in, they're just honestly busy ALL the time.( the longer we were they, we noticed it, with people coming in and out) Well we talked for a little bit and they were both just so honest and open. They've gone through struggles in their lives (Donna especially with just losing both of her parents within 6 months of each other) but they have a pure desire to come closer to Christ and do what he want's of them. And yes, upon hearing that, that's when the excitement as a missionary really starts coming! Because well...this IS the right way to go. Well we shared a heartfelt lesson of the restoration and really taught Donna and Michael, not the lesson (Not sure if you all understand..Lani probably knows). We just really taught the lesson to meet their needs by listening and following the spirit. Donna was crying and everything was incredible. Again. The best part though was when we were walking up the street to our car. We'd been walking for a bit when we heard someone panting behind us, trying to yell but was out of breath so just start clapping their hands. Sister Cottle and I looked at each other "What the..?" But ended up turning around. Michael had been trying to run after us for a while and get our attention. He told us that he truly appreciated us coming and what we were doing out here, leaving our families and all for the work. He began to get emotional and so just quickly finished by saying that he can tell the difference that we've already made in their home and that Donna really needed it. He then grabbed us in side hugs *shrug*, it was alright.

And there you have it folks. Can you say miracles?

There we countless miracles seen this week, but those were my favorite.

The weather's been rather..balmy. One day it's 30, the next it's over 70...I thought Spokane weather was whacky.

Well I better go, I love you all!

Sister Call

 

P.S. Ford!! Provo AND Idaho!! GAH. OH and uhh..happy birthday. I promise, something's comin in the mail.