Sept. 28, 2015 in Greensboro, NC

Hello all!

This week was only just the very best! Ok, probably not best ever but it was a lot better than the past couple :) We got to go on like 3 days of exchanges practically with the Zone Leaders, and that was a party because the Zone Leaders and us are homies. While on exchange on Wednesday, we were able to see B___ briefly and we should have an appointment with her tonight. She is just the best!

The other highlight was a girl named E___. She is a friend of S­­­___ who has come to seminary 3 times in the last 2 weeks. We met her on Tuesday, and this week we have been making plans to teach her with S___ and Sister S___. We are going to have a skype lesson this Tuesday, so please pray that E___ will be open and want to learn more.

So on Thursday, we went with the Zone leaders to help a family move clear across the Zone because they moved away from our area. It was pretty much all day, and it was lots of fun. The best part was when we were moving them in to the new house, 2 of the bedrooms are upstairs with super narrow, curvy hallways. The last thing we moved was a giant heavy 3 person couch, and it was impossible to fit it upstairs to where we needed it. So we loaded it on a pickup and drove it to the back of the house where there was a second story deck. Then 5 guys picked it up long ways and lifted it up to 4 of us on the deck, where we had to rotate it and bring it through the sliding glass door. Fortunately, it fit (barely), so it worked out.

One spiritual though. Lots of times as I study, I have these impressions that come, but I just kind of write them down without trying them out. This week I was praying for some ideas, and the though popped in my head "Elder Branch, I give you thoughts all the time. Why don't you try them out and see which ones work?" (Read this in President Uchdorfs voice, not cause that's what it sounded like, it just seems like something he would say). It was a good reminder though to trust personal revelation, no matter what it is.

We didn't get to watch the women's session yet, but I am excited to catch it later on, it sounds amazing! Thanks for the quote!

So today we took a ramble out yonder to Burlington, Elder J___'s old area! It's a fun place, I want to serve here! We are bowling and visiting members today, it's been fun. Oh, and K___ said she saw y'all at a concert the other night, that sounds fun! She told me how she is engaged now, wildcard! (Not). Haha, but it's all good.  I'm happy for her. So yeah, thanks for the stories! Y'all are the best! Love you!!

Elder Branch

May 26, 2015 in Greensboro, NC

Hello :)

P-day is today due to yesterday we had a "day of finding." It was a rather humbling experience, because the past week we have had quite good success talking with people and at least getting their address or phone number so we could come by. When that happens though, it is tough not to get prideful in how well it seems to be going. Even though I knew in my mind that pride was dangerous, it still must have slipped in, and we were really struggling yesterday because of it. It just seemed like no one wanted to talk and we weren't seeing much success. I said a silent prayer asking for forgiveness and help. The very next friend we dropped by, named A., talked with us and it all just went so smoothly as we felt the Spirit guiding us. We made an appointment for in 2 weeks, which was better than not at all! Then as we rode away from his house, Elder G. and I each felt impressed to stop and talk to this man by his truck full of yard care equipment. We talked with him about his business (yard work), and also his family and church, and once again we were lead to start talking about the Book of Mormon and what it is, and he accepted a copy! He said "usually I'm not always comfortable accepting things like this, but I feel ok with this one. After all, it seems to be all about Christ from what you explained." It was great!! So pray for N. that he will read and feel the spirit :) It was once again a testimony builder of prayer and of God's willingness to help us know how to share the gospel as we humble ourselves and let Him lead.  :)

Our teaching appointments were great this week, Elder G. and I are learning all kinds of new things as we go and things just keep looking better and better. Specifically we would like you to pray for J. He is a friend the Sisters met 9 months ago, but they were transferred and lost contact with him. We were at his apartment complex visiting other friends and decided to give J. a try and so we knocked. He came right out of the door and started talking about how he had met the Sisters and how he just had so many questions about religion because of all the different denominations, that the only thing he knew to be true is that there is a God. We set up an appointment for that Saturday, and asked C. to join us. We went to the appointment and J. was so excited. He said he didn't think we would come back, but when we did it really made him feel special. We had a wonderful Restoration lesson and he wants to be baptized!! He hasn't been baptized before and he really understood the importance of Priesthood Authority. It was great!! He wasn't able to come to church this last week, and we can't reach him by phone so we are going by tonight, so please pray that he will continue to learn and feel the Spirit!

To answer some of your questions:

We usually get the car 2 out of 3 weeks (tri-share), but the sisters in the S. ward are both leaving so we gave it to them for an extra week so they could visit members and such. We have been on bikes the past 2 weeks but we will get the car today from the G. Elders ;)

  

-Our ward is pretty small, but the people are all really nice and willing to help us.   :)

-Our area has tons and tons of apartment complex's which is tough because in the past, people kick us out and threaten to arrest us. Fortunately, most of the people here are still pretty nice even when we knock on their doors or when they aren't interested. They will still at least talk to us and sometimes give us water :)

Hey, we showed the Mormon Message "My Brother Hyrum" to a woman who teaches the special needs kids at her school, and she loved it! The pictures of Hyrum's baptism really added to the story! So if you hear from them, tell them thanks for the great video, it is a wonderful, wonderful, message to share!  :) I hope all is well always! Sure love y'all! :)

Elder Branch :)

PS: I've picked up sir and ma'am the past 2 weeks. They come totally natural now. Dad will be excited ;)

May 5, 2015 in Rock Hill, SC

As far as how I am, I am stressed but surviving. We just seem to have backslid the past couple of weeks, even though we have been working hard.

We do have a bunch of super families we are working with. That would be great if you could pray for them please!! :)

My favorite visit was with the N's this week. Ever since being in the area I have felt a special connection with them, and I feel like they are definitely people I was friends with in the pre-earth life. We had a great lesson about how to receive the Spirit and discern the Spirit. It was a really good visit. I love them, they're great.

Love ya!

Elder Branch

Pictures of District activity to Lazy 5 Ranch

Feb. 2, 2015 in Huntersville, NC

Saturday morning, Elder S., Brother C., and I got to help Brother S. with a yard project. It was a sweet way to end the week for sure!

Yes, I'm keeping a journal on my mission. I heard a quote recently and it said "It doesn't matter how often you write in a journal, it just matters that you write one." SO I've been doing that, and just writing maybe twice a week while Elder S. is doing district leader call ins, and it's been pretty neat.

Yes, we download videos from the gospel library app and use those (Mormon messages and such). Its way handy!

These past weeks in Huntersville have been very positive. The members are excited about going out teaching with us. Probably the biggest blessing for the area has been J. He came to church last week and this past Friday he accepted a baptismal date for the 14th of February!! Everyone here is so excited for him! Throughout teaching J., I've learned to rely more on prayer and the Spirit. As we pray and plan with the Spirit how best to help J., we have seen Heavenly Father's hand in the work. He has helped us know which lessons to teach, what members to bring with us, and how to help J. come to church. He has also been answering J.'s prayers. The day after accepting his baptismal date, he told us he was reading in the Book of Mormon in Alma 34:3-5 and he felt the Spirit tell him that he needed to get baptized, and that this was the right step! It was the best!!. He loves the Book of Mormon, loves the members, and loves the feeling he gets at church. We are so excited to see him make this, and future covenants. He has some health concerns so please pray for him and his health.

Well, I sure love ya! Thanks for the emails and pictures and prayers!! Please pray for J., and for more people for us to teach! Thanks so much! Ya'll are the best!