Hello
all!
So
transfers have come and I am back down to South Carolina! And for the first
time ever I have a companion who has been out less time than I have. That doesn't
discredit him, he is a superb missionary! His name is Elder B___, he is from
Arizona, and he has been out 3 transfers. This is still his first area and I am
only his second companion, so I am 'greenie breaking' him I guess. He is lots
of fun, and is a super good teacher. He also plays the piano way better than
me, so this District Meeting was the first time I didn't play the piano. We
were comparing piano songs and he plays more classical/intense music than me,
and I play more pop than him. We are having lots of fun, and it's pretty great.
We get a car 2 out of 3 weeks.
So as
far as the area, I am in Catawba, which includes the Catawba Indian
Reservation, and it is pretty interesting. It is my most "country"
area so far, which is fun! We cover 3-4 small towns, including the east side of
Rock Hill, Catawba, Van Wyck, and everything in between. Our teaching pool is
actually fairly large right now, which is probably the first time that has
happened on my mission! (Hooray!) We are actually right next to the Rock Hill Ward
where I served for 3 months, but in a different stake. It's funny though
because there are tons of members who are related to members in Rock Hill, so it's
like I know everyone's family already. The ward is super interesting, pretty
much 90% of the people on the actual reservation are members. We have about
80-100 attending church, and there are 400+ members. It sounds like most of
them are less active because they have been offended/hurt over different family
issues, and this last week in Sacrament Meeting, the Bishop gave a talk on
being humble, kind, and not getting offended. He likened it to the rameumptom.
It was pretty intense.
So as
far as bright spots for the week go, we were able to teach a lady named M___.
She is super solid, and wants to be baptized eventually. On Saturday we had a
powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson and she committed to come to church.
Then on Sunday
she called and cancelled :( Apparently she had laid out all her clothes and
everything the night before, but when she woke up on Sunday she couldn't get out of bed
because of pain. She told us that later, when she was feeling some better, she
got up and read the Book of Mormon for a couple hours and it gave her peace. So
we are hoping to have her come to the church during the week for a church tour to
help her get accustomed. :D
We
taught a man named M___ on
Wednesday. He was a pastor for a non denominational church back
in the day, and he has been pretty curious to learn about our beliefs, even
though he is apparently pretty sure that everything is a "wind of
doctrine". We shared the second half of the Plan of Salvation where we teach
about the spirit world and the multiple kingdoms, and then they either flip out
and drop us or get baptized. Well we told him about it, and to our surprise he
actually liked it and said he agreed! Wildcard!! So we are going to get him a
large print Book of Mormon, and pray that he reads it, becomes converted, and
gets baptized. (Please pray for him.) :)
Anyways,
that was our week pretty much. Well, that and having district meeting down in
Lancaster. Lancaster is a branch, so their building actually used to be a
Chinese restaurant that they converted into a church by putting a steeple on
the top. It's pretty interesting. Their mini piano is cute looking.
This last week I was able to
ponderize Mosiah 2:41 (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.)
I think my favorite part is just how true it seems to be. We taught a guy named
B___ last night and shared this verse with him. He talked about how he agrees,
and that every time he is with us he gets a "buzz" from the spirit. A
common farewell here is "be blessed", or "have a blessed
day", and it reminds me of this scripture. When we say "be
blessed," what we are really saying is "remember who you are! Be
good!" I think for this next week I am going to ponderize your one mom,
Psalms 119: 165 and 167 (Great peace have they which love thy law:
and nothing shall offend them. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I
love them exceedingly.) It could definitely help out!
Congrats
for Joe!! That is so fun for them. Haha, met in the outdoor equipment area,
that is perfect!!
Thanks
for all you do! You guys are the greatest! I love you!
Have a
blessed week!
Elder Branch
Eldertooblessedtobestressed
Elder Branch
Eldertooblessedtobestressed
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