-Last
week Elder Bailey and I were planning to take the bus out to area 13
which is the farthest area in the Red Leaf ward boundaries. It was a
rainy day and we accidentally walked through mud to get somewhere
quicker and it ruined elder Baileys only pair of shoes. So we made a run to our
apartment so he could wash the mud off and put them in the dryer so
they wouldn't be ruined. Time went by and we looked at the clock and the
bus would be coming in 4 minutes so I gave him a pair of my shoes and
we ran out of the apartment and was running a long way to try to make
it to the bus. If we missed the bus it would mean we would have to wait another
hour and a half for it to come back around. We started running and we
saw the bus zoom by us to the stop which was way far away and we new we
wouldn't make it. We really felt we needed to be out there but we
started walking because we knew we wouldn't make it to the stop. I said a
prayer in my head earlier while running that we would make the bus. While we were walking we saw the bus at the stop and new it would leave
in like 5 seconds. But 10 seconds went by then 30 then 45
and we were like its not moving, so we both looked at each other and
started running again and we actually ran for a 1/4 mile and the bus
continued to wait there for the oddest reason. I don't know why but we were
able to make it to the bus. We got to the bus and the bus driver opened the doors
but never said why he stopped and waited. I know
he didn't see us so he wouldn't have known to stop. But we made it to
the bus and said the Lord wants us to be out there today for some
reason. So we got dropped off. We had planned to stop by a former
investigator that day and planned to go by her first. From the stop it
took us a little bit to walk to her apartment and to find her apartment
number because it is a huge complex. On our way we saw these 2 ladies
just leaving the same complex. We knew this lady lived near there. So we walk over
and start talking to them, one of them mentioned that she knew who we
were and said her name was Barb Palmer. We told her that she was the person who we planned to visit. She looked at us with a concern
on her face and started to break down crying. She expressed for over an hour
how much turmoil she is going through in her life. She invited us into her apartment. Somehow Elder Bailey started teaching her friend and I
started teaching Barb. I shared with her some personal experiences. I showed her the Prince of Peace Easter video
and taught her the restoration and plan of salvation in one lesson. I
also got her the information for the addiction recovery program that
could really help her. It was so amazing because if the bus didn't stop we
wouldn't have made it and she would of left because they were walking
out of their apartment to leave to go somewhere. If we wouldn't have
talked to them and went up to Barbs apartment we would have missed Barb
walking away with her friend. It just comes to show how the Lord is
preparing people and making sure that his missionaries are in the right
place at the right time!
-Another really quick story. The Bishop called us one day and told us that there was a man living in our area whose father became a member of our church 5 years ago. His father called the bishop from New Mexico
and told him that his son is now living in our ward boundaries and might
be ready to take the lessons and learn about Jesus Christ. Elder Bailey and I and the Bishop went over to his
house hoping that he might be home. We get there and all the lights are
out and we thought that they weren't home. Elder Bailey said lets ring the
door bell anyway. A minute later the lights turn on and out rolls Cam. We share with him the Prince of Peace video and Elder Bailey shares his
conversion story and relates really well with Cam. We were able to set a
return appointment for a lesson at the church with him and Brother Roundy a young counselor in the bishopric to fellowship him. So we are
super excited for the lesson.
So
that has been the week full of little miracles in between there were so
many I can't explain them all! We had a lesson with a less active member and the
spirit was so strong and motivating in it that he went into his back
room pulled out his 20 packs of cigarette stash and throws them all out. Then goes to his fridge and pours out all the vodka and apple stuff and
whatever alcoholic drinks and says he is starting today! It was awesome and I
almost cried!
Easter Sunday rolls around
and the choir puts on a beautiful number and the spirit was so strong I
totally felt at peace. The talks given were so good and we had a bunch
of inactive members at sacrament meeting and they loved it. Cam will be
at sacrament meeting next week so that should be good!
District leader responsibilities aren't getting easier and I'm up
pretty late making calls to my giant district so I have been really
tired lately. But serving others and making sure my district members are
doing okay is definitely rewarding!
I hope you had a
good Easter! Dad told me all about the zoo. Avery
and Izzy look older every time I see them which is weird! I hope they
are both doing okay! I thanked everybody for their packages. o I'm
grateful for the love and packages! I love you mom and dad! 3 more weeks basically and I
get to talk to you on face-time! The mission is flying by!
Zone conference! I played 3 pieces on the piano and this one elder
who just came into the mission played this beautiful piece Abide with Me tis Even Tide arrangement by heart! It was really good! I love music and
hearing every ones talents! I love you all and hope you had a good Easter! Elder Bailey was so happy that I bought him 2 pairs of pants and
shoes! He is so thankful for you guys, he wants to send you an email! It
felt so good to give him that money to buy the things that he needed. I felt so much love behind
all of it! Charity is so important. It needs to be infused into
everything you do! Continue to think outward and give small acts of
kindness! It goes a long ways!
Much Love,
Elder Brown
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