Probably One of the Best Weeks of My Life!

Our 1st baptism:  May 23, 2015

Where to even begin, my FIRST BAPTISM occurred this week!  May 23, 2015 to be exact and I was rather excited about the whole ordeal.  This is the young lady, Andrea that we baptized.  I will try and start from the beginning of this week...First week in our new stomping ground and we attempted to saddle this bull right from the get go.  Because we set up another baptism for the 20th of June!  Jennifer has been dating a member named Joel.  Jennifer had many questions about the LDS faith and Joel wanted nothing more than to return to the church and meet many good fellows within the church walls.  We went to meet Jennifer and we must have had the spirit in the room because after 25 minutes of talking and me saying " I don’t know" to at least 50% of her questions, she said, "So, what do I have to do to get baptized?"  I wasn't quite sure how to even react to that one... me and E-Firk just kind of looked at each other for a second...  until we eventually told her what she needed to do... One problem we didn't address though is that she and Joel live together!!  So, the new ward I was entrusted with has the BEST BISHOP and leaders... the bishop immediately got a meeting with Joel and Jennifer the following Sunday... and guess who is having a wedding this Saturday?!  YEP YOU GUESSED IT!  JOEL AND JENNIFER!  All because Joel wants to baptize Jennifer as well.

Probably one of the best weeks of my life!  I have been reading all the conference talks I can possibly get my hands on and reading the Book of Mormon every second I get.  The Lord provides everything I could ever ask for and everything I need.  I am so thankful to have these 2 years to give back to the most perfect man that has given me the chance to fix my mistakes in life.  Every time I think I can't do it, he shows me I can.  Just the other day I was reading 1 Nephi chapter 21 and I did understand the Lord was gathering all of his children during these latter days & that he would never forget any of his children.  He knows us personally & throughout this mission and especially this week, he reminded me of that promise.  He knows a little blonde-headed rat dog in the backwoods of WA and cares for me just like he cares for you ALL.

Another Week of Magical, Spiritually Uplifting Experiences

The zone playing basketball on p-day

This has been my first week overseeing two wards and the workload was rather large and hard to comprehend at first.  Similar to eating at a delicious buffet.  But, after a lengthy planning session me & Elder Firkins were able to create a sufficient plan for the rest of the week!

The Lord really has been so good to me as this week came and went.  I knew it was going to be specifically hard for a greenie to figure out missionary life this week and it seemed a lot to handle.  Well, I decided to do the only thing that could really help me in this situation... I got on my knees a few more times and I prayed a little more sincerely.

As the week unfolded, I saw the Lord’s hand overseeing all of our work. One night we went searching for 4 investigators to meet from the new ward.  We ended up with 4 wrong addresses and ended up talking to a crazed old lady who sang piano swing music back in the 60's instead.  She told us the Restoration pamphlet was BS!  We went on for our 5th attempt at finding an investigator and ended up on the wrong road again... at this point I am really wondering what Heavenly Father needed to teach us.  We got out of the car and felt we should just knock the rest of the road.  6 or so homes later, we find Janelle.  She had met with missionaries before and was very interested in having us come back.  Literally @ 8:50 p.m. and the very last house of the day.  Seriously Heavenly Father?!  I know I need to trust in his work more.  I know this is the Lord’s work and he will make things happen.  When you can't find the Lord in your life... is probably the times he is most involved!

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

Yes it has been another great week in the land of BATTLEGROUND WA. The work is progressing more than I ever thought possible.  The Lord just opens doors, wardrobes and chambers of secrets left and right. On a serious note, we did more service for the man Randy Weber who is going to start a new church down sometime in the future.  He had us sand some kitchen cabinets.  This week we were also able to teach the man Joe Mackey and read the BOM with him in his man cave garage hangout chill spot.  Joe loved the BOM reading time and he asked us a few questions that we just had no
idea how to answer... so hopefully he doesn't think we are foolish missionaries. While tracting I noticed a lady had a wonderful wizard/gandalf statue in front of her door.  We knocked and she opened only to say " I have my own religion and i'm in my robes so i'm not interested"  Well, I was so moved by the spirit to tell her that I love her wizard statues and I would like to buy one... and apparently it worked because she said come back next week and we can talk about the statues and I can show you more... BINGO. Went on exchanges again this week and got behind the wheel of the Chevy Cruze with MO-TAB & the A/C chillen on high.  Took the new Elder to teach Kielyr and do service for Sister Keene. Sister Keene is a wonderful woman and soon will be hearing about the Plan of Salvation. Apparently I am over two wards now as well and they just changed ward boundaries so I picked up half of another ward.

BUSY BUSY BUSY.   Good thing the atonement is a real, actual thing that happened and through Jesus Christ I can endure all things, because He endured all things.  I am grateful to be a missionary and the miracles continue to happen.  Even if my writings and emails don't exactly sound peachy keen spiritual messages I promise and testify that this is the Lords work.  Joseph Smith was a real prophet and Heavenly Father loved us so much that He called Joseph so show us what we can do to return to live with him.  He gave us the BOOK OF MORMON as well. No book contains more truth.  Besides Lord Of The Rings.  I love you all!   If you have any doubts about the things I testify of just go ask Heavenly Father and find out for yourself whats true and what is not.

Also, got to skype home this mothers day and I just have to say I have the BEST family you could ever ask for.  Especially my mom, nobody has taught me more in life and nobody has been more loving while doing it. Nobody makes better magic cookie bars and certainly nobody makes better cream of wheat on a Sunday morning.  I love you Mom!! I LOVE YOU ALL
1) I love my family
2) the beauty of the world
3) my companion hates my new pineapple hat

Mother's Day Skype :)

Happy Mother's Day!

What a great Mother's Day gift.  This morning we got to Skype with Elder King!  It was awesome.  It was so great to see his smiling face and hear his voice again.  He looked so happy and had many wonderful missionary stories to share with us.  The people of Vancouver, Washington are so lucky to have him serving there.  After talking to him, we were feeling a little homesick for this kid!  Love you Braden!

Another Great Week of Miracles in the Swamp

 

A WEEK OF MIRACLES!!!
1) FIRST MIRACLE!  Driving down the road to an appointment (Elder Firkins making me car sick as usual) and a lady is waving her arm on the side of the road... We turn around and attempt to console her and apparently her car broke down and her son was walking down the road trying to get in touch with someone to get her gas.  We gave her our cell phone and she called a family member and we then figured out that I called her on accident two weeks ago!  She had been thinking about us since we called on accident and said that "God must have sent us" and wants to hear more about what we believe. NEAT!?

2) NEXT MIRACLE!  We texted a young lad who goes by the name of Kielyr Backus whom we found lingering in the area book from long ago... He was dropped due to lack of interest but I thought WHAT THE HECK let’s just shoot him a text.  So we did, and met with him and apparently he is really excited and wants to get baptized!!!   HE IS on date for May 30th.

3)  NEXT MIRACLE!  I found the lipstick tube of Kissin Kate Barlow, but accidentally thought it was Keith Barringer from my math class.  I actually got to drive this week and felt a little less like a greenie.  I will also get to drive again in the next couple days.  Today we went to the mall and I wasn't quite sure how to act in the midst of civilization...

It’s been a great week and I see the Lord’s hand more and more every day.  If we follow the commandments and do his will, the miracles follow.  God blesses us for our efforts.  I love being a missionary and I am grateful that I have this opportunity.  Don't miss a chance to be a member missionary if you get one!!

Looking for investigators