When i first got to the field, my zone leader Elder Sargeant told me if i wanted to get over home sickness and whatnot, i needed to work hard. i took that to heart and elder berg and i worked very hard this week. We taught 32 lessons, got 14 new investigators, 7 progressing investigators, 4 people came to church, and we taught 21 doorstep restorations (that is included in the aforementioned 32). We are currently leading the zone in lessons and the mission record in a week is 33. But we are staying humble, this is the Lord's work, not ours. He put those people in our path, this is not the fruits of our own labor but the result in the Lord preparing these people and Elder Berg and I praying hard and having the faith to find these people.
Elder Sargeant had a cool experience this week that really reminded us all that this is His work not ours. Our zone leaders got a referral from the MTC for 2 women, a mother and daughter, who had been calling the MTC daily for the past 2 weeks and getting lessons over the phone. They then talked to Elder Seargent and told him that they had read the whole book of mormon. So our zone leaders went and talked to them and they begged him to know what else they needed to do to draw closer to God. So they said baptism. They said yes, we want to do it ASAP. THey will be baptized June 29, the last saturday before Elder Sargeant goes home. Elder Sargeant said he has never seen more prepared people for this gospel in his life. But he humbly acknowledged that this is not of His doing. The Lord prepared these people and then used our zone leaders as a means to get to the next step. We are merely messengers of the Lord to carry out his will. Humility is key.
Anyway, a couple of miracles happened this week. First we went and taught a less active in our ward, Sister Carlstrom. She lives about 20 minutes out of town.My companion felt prompted to do a roleplay with her as we taught. So we told her to think of someone who might be interested in the Gospel and pretend to be them. She picked Chassity, her daughter, and we then taught the restoration. at the end, we asked Sister Carlstom if Chassity would be interested and Sister Carlstrom said probably not and that she didnt want to push religion on her kids. so we said ok, and went on our way. we looked at our area book and noticed that another less active lived out near here. so we went to find them. Their name is the walshs's. We got to their house to find out that they had moved 6 months ago. but who had moved in? Chassity. Sister Carlstrom's daughter. we would never have tracted into her, she lived too far away. we jumped for joy, taught her the restoration, she said she was interested in coming to church, and we set a return date.
Another Miracle is Chris. We were driving one day and all of a sudden my companion flipped a u-turn and said i think we need to tract this apartment complex we just passed. so we went and knocked on the second door and this kid answered the door. what we had forgotten is we had knocked on his door a couple nights previous looking for a less active member, but they no longer lived there. we foolishly didnt teach him and we left. so when he saw us for a second time he said that it was no coincidence that we had come for a second time and he let us in. he then told us he had gotten out of drug rehab awhile ago, was trying to get his life in a better place, and felt a hole in his life. we taught him, he was over joyed, and we committed him to baptism. he said "Heck Yes", but with more colorful language, then apologized for his language and just said he was so excited. the feeling i had leaving the apartment was unforgettable.
Then there is Grace. we went out to this trailer park place that we were at last week, we taught an investigator, and ran into a woman kicking a soccer ball with 2 little black boys. (also quick story, apparently in this trailer park a man was kidnapped by a bunch of women some time back. this place is so sketch. we pray for safety there. ha ha) anyway, we taught Grace the restoration as she was playing with the two boys, and it was really interrupted and whatnot because the boys were quite energetic, but it was still good. then we asked her to come to church. she said that her mother and her had been looking for a church and said they would come. so sunday rolls around and Jamie and her son came (i talked about her last week im pretty sure, she is super cool and ready. she loved church, got along with everyone, and her son loved it too). so church starts and grace isnt there, elder berg and i were really sad. but then we sit down, look in the foyer and see her sitting in the foyer. so we go out and bring her into the chapel to sit with us. she took a lot of notes all through church and i think she enjoyed it. after church, she sent this text to us: "Thank you for inviting me and my son and mother we look forward to next sunday today i felt what i can only describe as happiness and peace at church today in its purest form then i have ever felt i thank god for sending you to talk to me". this text melted my heart. I thank heavenly father daily for sending Elder Berg and I into the paths of those who are ready to hear this message.
The weather here has been interesting, we have seen the sun only a couple times and it has been rainy. i like it, Elder Berg really hates it and keeps telling me he is moving to arizona some day. ha ha.
We also stopped one day and helped a random family move into their house. they only had a bunch of kids with them and so Elder Berg and I helped them move all the big stuff. they were so happy and appreciative, it is really nice to serve people.
While tracting we ran into this man who called us peddlers, menaces, and a couple other interesting things. I explained to him we were not peddlers and not salesman like he claimed, but he said it was all the same. My trainer then said "have a good day, it was wonderful talking to you and we will maybe talk to you soon". The man said no. i absolutely will not. it was rather amusing honestly.
I also learned a very valuable lesson in church on obedience. I have always hated rules that seemed dumb and that didnt apply to me. but one of the speakers said the standard itself is not what brings us blessings, but our willingness to keep it. So that turned my brain upside down for awhile.
Anyway, I cannot currently think of much else to write at this moment. If you have sent me letters, i have replied to them. but it takes like 5 days for my letters to reach anyone, and then another 5-6 for me to get the letters sent to me. so its a slow process. have a wonderful week everyone :)
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