After DDM today, we had exchanges. Elder Weaver from Cheraw stayed
here in Hartsville with me. He's a nice guy who has been though A LOT
of crap in his life. He is from California. He came out last transfer
with E. Staley. He really opened up to me and told me a lot of stuff
that he's had to go through. I feel bad for him and I reassured him
that this is right where the Lord needs him. We were able to teach a
lady and do some service for her. We also, taught a less active which
went really well. I shared Alma 36:24 with her which is talking about
Alma's conversion. It's such an awesome scripture because it shows the
desire and vision to baptize really well. I am out here because I have
felt that same joy in the gospel that Alma has felt and I want others
to feel it as well. Also, like when Lehi partook of the fruit from the
Tree of Life and immediately wanted to share it with his family (1
Nephi 8:12). Then, it talks about how he desired to have people filled
with the Holy Ghost. That's the greatest gift we are given! The
constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is such an amazing thing that
will comfort you in times of trial, help you be edified in the
scriptures and ALWAYS reveal truth to you. We had her share her
conversion story which was really good that she was able to rekindle
some of that fire she has deep down! We invited her to church, but she
is going to be out of town this weekend. Hopefully we see her next
Sunday!
5-25-16
We finished up exchanges this morning and went out to lunch with them
at Zaxby's. I am done spending money for awhile! After that, we biked
up to North Hartsville to try and catch some people at home. They
weren't home, so we knocked around some less actives we planned to see
and met some nice people. There was a little dog that followed us from
house to house. I cupped my hands and poured some water in them so he
could have something to drink. He lapped that water up so fast. We
held him and biked around with him for a bit and he loved the bike
rides! Haha such a funny dog. After other several attempts of no one
being home, we headed back for dinner. I made some awesome cinnamon
pancakes! Then, we had ward coordination which went really well. We
talked about getting members more excited and involved with missionary
work. David A. Bednar had a really good section in the newest New Era
about how to help the missionaries. He said, "We properly pray for the
safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world.
And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the
missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared
to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my
responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the
missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I
are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should
not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work!" We are
somehow going to try and help the members understand that we are here
for THEIR help to teach THEIR friends/family. We have been struggling
with getting members out teaching with us lately... After
coordination, we gave a little boy a blessing because he is getting
ready to have surgery. He didn't want anyone else to give it to him
except "the boys." Haha he's a cute kid.
5-26-16
We went over to Sis. Mason's to help her paint her fence. After that,
we got dressed really quick and went over to a young couple's house
for an appointment. We taught the restoration, talked a lot about
prophets and it went well. We tried a couple more people who weren't
home and then we went out to dinner with Bro. Tadlock and his nephew,
Wyatt. He is wanting to come to church Sunday, so hopefully Bro.
Tadlock takes him! Later on, we stopped by Patti and Dave's to wish
Dave a happy birthday. On our way back towards the apartment, we saw
Hardy Smothers playing basketball outside, so we stopped and shot
hoops with him for a little bit. Sis. Smother's came out and talked to
us for a little bit with her youngest son Pressley. I love that
family. They have been through so much lately and it was good to see
them again.
5-27-16
It was so hot today... It is really humid too. We went to go see a
lady named Sally. She is on date for baptism, so we have to get her to
church! We taught her about the Sabbath Day. She feels like she
doesn't want to change churches... We talked to her about how she
needs to come and find out what we're all about before she can say
that! We talked about the Sacrament and showed her a program. She
showed a program from our church and happened to have one of ours on
us. She looked through it and said, "wow. You have a lot more stuff
than we do. I'll go!" I'm so glad that we had the program on us
because it really opened her eyes. I can't imagine how she we feel
when she actually goes! After we left and started biking down the
road, we saw some little black kids by this house. They pointed at us
and one of them said, "look at those white boys!"
on his little Avengers bike and tried to race us... We let him win and
he was laughing the whole way. Haha there's also another black kid we
see in the ghetto that says, "hey twins!" Every time we ride by. He's
a cute kid.
After blowing through the rest of our plans, we decided to go knock
around some members. We were riding by the Ruff's and saw one of the
young men out playing basketball so we stopped to shoot some hoops
with him. Then, he let us in to get a drink and say hi to his grandma.
She isn't a member so we were able to teach her for a little bit while
we cooled off. Before we could get dinner, Sis. Thompson called and
needed some help moving some things again. We got dressed and they
picked us up! Her boyfriend and us went over and loaded couches and
got most of it in two trips. On our way back and forth, we talked to
him about our missions and goals after we return. He also asked why we
chose to go on a mission. We had some really good conversations with
him. He's a nice guy. After we helped move everything, he bought us
pizza and then took us home!
5-28-16
We had a slow start this morning to go out because Elder Staley wasn't
feeling well. He got a little bit more rest and we went out after
lunch. We stopped by a lot of people who weren't home. We caught one
potential at home and talked about the BoM and gave her one to read.
While we were biking, we decide to stop by this little ranch where
there were horses. We fed them grass and chilled with them for a bit.
We got back on the road and Bro. Solomon called us saying his mother
in-law was in the hospital and would like a blessing. We headed to the
apartment so he could pick us up there. He got us and took us over to
his house. We gave her and Sis. Solomon a blessing. After that, they
took us to get some Cook-Out and dropped us back off at the house.
Bro. Tadlock was in town, so he picked us up and took us to Walmart so
Elder Staley could pick up batteries for his bike light. There was a
lady who came up and stopped is before we went out the door. She asked
us who we were and we talked to her about what we do and she said that
she really wants to have a closer relationship with Christ. She is
homeless at the time. Her two sons live in a house that she signed
over to them and wouldn't let her stay for just a couple days. She
stayed at her sister's, but she had to leave because the sister's
husband abused her. My heart really went out to her. I could tell she
was really searching for truth in her life. We traded phone numbers so
that we could call her and visit with her again.
5-29-16
We had a district fast to accomplish our goal that we have set by the
end of next transfer. Church was really good today! The speakers
talked about prophets, in Gospel principles, we talked about the Holy
Ghost and had a 5th Sunday training about family history. Mike and the
Thompsons had us over for an early dinner and we ate some awesome
roast with rice, Mac and cheese, green beans and rolls! Mike is a
really good cook with BBQ, so we were stuffed. After that, we got back
to the apartment just in time for it to DUMP rain. The tropical storm
"Bonnie" started to hit here. It's supposed to continue all next week
too. We were stuck inside for most of the day. We got out for a little
bit and stopped by a referral, and potentials who weren't available.
Then, we stopped by a less active who talked to us for awhile. When we
left there, the clouds were so dark and it was starting up again, so
we biked fast back home! When we got home, we decided to use our time
wisely and record a song. It turned out pretty decent! I also watched
"The First Great Commandment" (Jeffrey R. Holland Oct. 2012) for the
third time this week. That is by far my favorite talk. He is such a
great speaker and the Spirit hits me so hard listening to it. As Bro.
Solomon would say, a "Holy Ghost heart punch." Look the talk up and I
promise you it'll happen to you too!
PDay tomorrow should be fun... The Cheraw Elders are coming down to
hangout with us in H-Ville. We are either going to play tennis or
basketball.
-Elder Mitchell
This dog came out of nowhere and started following us around to each
house. He was just trying to be a missionary! We stole the dog.
