January 2, 2014

Hello, How's it going?

Well this week, as last week, has been different for us missionaries with New Years Eve and New Years Day. New Years Eve was a normal day until 6pm and then we got to watch Ephraim's Rescue with our District. It was fun and I LOVE that movie! New Years Day was weird because we assumed it was a normal day so we had appointments all lined up. Throughout the day though we found out it was like Christmas, just a relaxed day but we had things planned so everyone played sports all day while we had lessons. Except we did get to meet our district for bowling but of course we had a lesson right after so we only stayed for about 30 minutes. 

Our lessons went really well though so we feel super blessed about that. Our first one was with Cory and Andy. Cory is a LA and her son, Andy, got baptized about a year ago. We had tracted them out earlier in the week. Anyways, we went in with a lesson planned but switched it half way through because we felt like he needed something different. Cory's husband had left them a while ago and so Andy has been really down and hasn't felt loved and had lots of questions about God. We were able to put him to peace, to let him know that God knows and loves him. Greatest feeling ever when you can help someone realize that. That's what this gospel is for. To bring peace and joy into our lives as we strive to come closer to our Heavenly Father and truly live the gospel! Ah love it.

Our other lesson was with Naomi and Anthony, they are 9 and 10. Their mother is LA and their dad is not a member. We have tried so many times to meet with them and it never actually happened until last night. Unfortunately, their parents were not home but their (active) grandparents were so we went ahead and taught them anyway. We committed them both to baptism but couldn't set a date without their parents there. We are meeting with them againtomorrow thought so hopefully we can put them on a for sure date! Woohoo!

So we have 2 eternigators (eternal investigators). I'll start with James. So James has been meeting with the missionaries for 2-3 years. His wife is a strong, active member and so he goes to church with her and their son everySunday! So we went over there this last week and met with him for the first time since I've been here. We had planned to talk about baptism and confirmation. I really wanted to find out what has been holding him back. Turns out the only thing holding him back is coffee. He believes the Book of Mormon is true, he believes Joseph Smith was a prophet and President Monson but somehow he just can't wrap his head around that coffee isn't good for you. He struggles too that members of the church drink caffeine and energy drinks and says those are just as bad. He said before when he met with missionaries they challenged him to go 30 days without drinking coffee and he did, but on the 31st day he drank coffee again. He said he can live without it but just doesn't think it's necessary. Agh! So our commitment to him was to really pray about it, to pray to have that understanding of the Word of Wisdom and the desire to live it. We also gave him a baptismal calendar to pray over a date when he can prepare himself to be baptized. I'm telling you he is so ready! Stupid adversary. Ok something funny about James.. he gives all the sisters that meet with him nicknames.. So I am now Sister Short Legs. My feet couldn't touch the ground when I sat on his couch :( But hey neither did Sister Phagwah's but she was already named Sister Catwomen because she hates cats! Hahaha

Ok now on to, Pat. Pat hasn't been meeting with missionaries quite as long as James but he has been attending church every Sunday as well and paid his tithing for 1 whole year now too, oh and also reads the Book of Mormon all the time! I'm pretty sure he is more active than some of the members here. Haha. He is also married to an active member. (You find that everywhere here in Southern Utah!) We went over to get to know him more and really find out what's holding him back. He has a few random issues but really not much. He just hasn't felt that feeling yet that this is what he needs to do. We gave him a baptismal calendar also and asked him to really pray specifically to receive answers. He is going out of town with for work for a week or so but I am so excited to meet with both him and James again. They are both so prepared, I'm telling you!! They both have testimonies but just like to deny it.

Anyways, our area seems to be progressing and I am so so excited about that! It's already almost week 5 of this transfer and that freaks me out! Where does this time go! Also, I have less than 9 months left! What!?

Well, love you all and hope you have a great week!!!!

Sister Summer Allen