Well the week was great. Cam Blodsoe is about 26 married and has a 17 month old son! He was a referral from his dad who just converted about 4 years prior! His dad said Cam might want to hear the message but hasn't ever talked to him about it so it was all a hit or miss! Elder Bailey and I went over with the Bishop and we set up a return appointment with him and he said he was actually really excited to meet! The first lesson we had was at the church with Brother Roundy who is the 2nd counselor in the bishopric who is only 29! He is a stud and was a captain on the BYU rugby team for 4 years and won state champs 4 years in a row! He has only lost 6 games in his whole career! anyway enough about him... Cam came to the church for his lesson and it was a fire lesson! Probably the best lesson so far! At the end we asked him to be baptized and without hesitation he said yes! and he said "its not a matter of if I get baptized its a matter of when." He said I have been searching for "10 years for the true church and I know this one is true...I think I found my church" we are so excited for his date! He is so ready and he has been prepared for sure by the Lord! Now I'm not saying its smooth sailing from here but I know he can be ready! He is progressing super well and we are all excited!
Then there is Anthony! Elder Reynolds and I tracted into his mom last transfer and was never able to get in contact with her. Elder Bailey and I were in the area one day and planned to stop by! Her son Anthony opened the door and came outside so the dogs couldn't get out! We taught him on the door step, set up a return appointment and he showed up. We taught him about ordinances like baptism and asked him to be baptized and he said yes as well but hold on it gets better! After the invite we really weren't sure how committed he was! We set up a return appointment for this past Tuesday. We had the lesson by the pool in the apartment complex which was weird....can't swim! We were teaching him the plan of salvation and could tell he was out of it! In this moment I had one of the best learning experiences on my mission! We had set plans and I kept looking down at my planner between my legs because it was all mapped out! I looked up and thought to myself Anthony's mind is elsewhere, he is getting ready to go to a friends house and the things we are teaching aren't sinking in. Elder bailey then just finished talking and it was my turn, In that moment I really thought about in my head what is Anthony thinking in his head as we are teaching him, what does he need? I paused ignored my plans and started to feel the spirit guide me to this inspired question. Anthony, why did you decide to be Christian and why do you chose now to follow Christ? He paused and said "I have been needing to tell you guys this.....Just recently I have been going through depression! I'm not in the best situation right now and the night before you guys showed up I was thinking about driving off the road because I didn't understand why I was here and if God was real why am I suffering like this. I drove home crying and fell asleep in my bed praying and asking if God was there and if he cared to even help me. It was a desperation moment. I then woke up to a knock on my door, I didn't want to answer the door but I did anyway, next thing you know 2 Mormon missionaries showed up at my door telling me that they cared about me and that if he prays to know if things are true God will show him!" He told us in our lesson that we were an answer to his prayer and he knew that God was real and that he cared and that he wanted to be baptized because he knows it will change his life! After that the rest of lesson went 100% by the spirit and we didn't even teach from the planner! Elder Bailey and I were just so happy that he told us all his concerns and we then knew where his commitment level was! As you care about the people around you and ask question that stimulate deep concerns you can teach according to their needs and desires! So let me tell you that his last week has been awesome and has showed me that God prepares people and our job is to find them and teach them according to their needs not our needs!
Today we went to the temple and I got
to see elder Reynolds. We went to deseret book and
talked there for a little bit after the Temple! I was so happy to see him! and your
going to be mad I had to spoil myself a little, I dropped money on your
card and 2 piano books. I'm sorry I just loved the
songs in the book and I want to add some songs to my repertoire! I can
send you some videos of me playing! Love you haha.....sorry! Temple trip means pday is on Wednesday. sorry I forgot to tell you last pday
I
love my area. I have found so much happiness just in the skills I continue
to learn and my abilities to handle situations! I have
found a lot of confidence in myself that I didn't have before! There is tons more for me to work on but an attitude switch in transfer 4
has made me more teachable meaning I have become more like a sponge!
Any insight I get I can soak it right up! Elder Bailey and I never get
comfortable with where we are at and really nit pick at the things we
can work on and hold ourselves accountable to! Honestly the mission
has been teaching me skills that I think will really help me through the
rest of my life! My patriarchal blessing is starting to be fufilled!
The mission keeps getting better and better!
A
little update on transfer info! They think I'm leaving and becoming a
zone leader or staying as district leader or moving to be a district leader somewhere else! We will see what happens this Monday because
that's when we get the scoop! I wish I will stay one more transfer! oh
and this Saturday I will be baptizing this little 9 year old kid! I had
to interview 2 kids this week as part of my assignments as district
leader! Ones name was Kailai, this little girl who is so
cute! so I got to see her get baptized! Tyson is getting baptized this Saturday... I'm excited to perform
the ordinance. I'll let you know how it goes on Monday!
There is so many people to thank and I have like no time
left! Tell everyone I am so glad that I have so many people supporting
me it means a lot because I know so many missionaries that don't have
that! It boosts my confidence and makes me feel loved! Tell everyone
I love them and wish them all the best of luck in their endeavors!
Man I love
you all so much and this is it for this week. Just keep me posted on
everything that's going on at home and life. I love it all. it makes me
happy to hear about my awesome family! Love you all!
Elder Brown
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