November 11, 2013

 Y'all already heard about our branch becoming a ward? That was one of the most exciting things that has happened this week! We didn't know it would happen so soon, I was caught off guard. There were a lot of people there, and they didn't know about it either. A less-active family came, and one of our investigators, and also a lady who isn't a member, also affiliated with the less active family. We were way excited to see all that, and now it's going to be hard to call President Riley, Bishop Riley!

 We had a terrific week actually. We have a cool story of how we found a new investigator. So we were trying to have a lesson with this black guy who we met at Publix. We got an appointment, but it got cancelled the morning of. We happened to run into him again the 2nd time ever being in publix here, and set another time. This time we didn't call him in the morning and just went over with a member. We knocked on his door, and a lady and man we didn't recognize were there, and so we thought we had the wrong house, they were very surprised. They invited us in which surprised us. Turns out this guy lives with them, and he was asleep. But as we continued to talk with them it turned out we stayed for an hour! We found that this guy was a excommunicated member, and his wife isn't one. He went on a mission, and went to BYU, but wasn't living the right way. He actually came to church in January but hadn't been back. Elder Miller mainly talked with him, and the member and I talked with the wife. We talked about all sorts of religious topics, and thank goodness Bro Proulx knew his facts! It went super well, and I felt the Spirit prompt me with certain topics to bring up. The main message was Moroni's promise, and to take it straight to God. She has a very firm belief in the Holy Ghost, and not a crazy-bark-like-a-dog believer in the Holy Ghost. She was excited to hear the restoration, which she believes needed to happen, and gave us both their phone numbers without asking. We are going to see them tonight, and have dinner with them. The husband talked to Elder Miller about how he missed being a part of the Gospel, and how he wants to return. So everything was set up for us, and these people are prepared. It's funny how we found them through this other guy!

 We also had a powerful lesson with the less-active family who came to church, but just with their 3 daughters. The Spirit was strong, and you can tell their conviction and desire by how they look at you during it. There were many distractions, telephones going off, kids making noise, but there were a couple times where there was silence, and we bore our testimonies, including the member with us, and they took it in! It was a big step.

 Many things are happening, and all we can do is keep working and pray that God will grant us more of his mercy and grace to continue to keep these things going! 

 And I saw the picture you posted on Facebook, Sis Smartt showed me! :) haha

 Thanks Dad for representing me well! I wish I could've heard the talk.

 And last big thing, We pulled a 21 miler to drop off a book of mormoon stories and see a former investigator couple. It was worth the hour and 30 minutes of straight biking, we stopped at a members house to pick up the book and the look on her face that we biked there was priceless! total of 300 miles biked since the middle of last transfer, hoorah! :) Love y'all and talk to you next week! 4 weeks...