We had exchanges with the Cheraw Elders and I went to Cheraw. I went
with Elder Weaver who is quite the character... He is very hard to get
along with. We taught a couple less active's and the lessons went
well. We taught less active named Craig. He is Tammy Barefoot's uncle!
I bore my testimony to him about the atonement and how we go to church
to improve ourselves. He didn't feel like he was really worthy to go
to church. But I assured him that we all make mistakes, but the Lord
is always forgiving no matter what. It was a powerful lesson. I had
him read a couple verses in the scriptures and that's when he really
choked up and started crying. The Spirit was really working within
him. He addressed his concern with his wife not being a member and how
it might affect their relationship. I promised with him that it will
affect their relationship, but only in a good way. He will become a
better husband and father. I promised that she will see how much you
change and how happy you will be and she will be in full support. This
could even lead to her joining as well. He was a great guy and I could
tell that the Lord is really preparing him to come back.
7-6-16
We exchanged back around noon after our studies and we headed back to
Hartsville. Bro. Tadlock took us back from Cheraw and then took us to
lunch. We got some burgers which were really good! Then, we headed out
to go and visit Sis. Mason. She had to get a few things from the
grocery store, so we ran and did that for her. When we got back, she
was really pale and sweaty and was not feeling good at all. She could
barely even talk. Her potassium gets really low and she has a
pacemaker and defibrillator already. It was pretty scary, so we got
her medicine and I fed her some watermelon. We said a prayer and after
a little while, things seemed to get better. Eventually, she was back
to joking around with us, so we headed out. We got caught in a storm
and had to go inside because of the Lightning.
7-7-16
Today was a pretty good day! After our time given for Mormon.org time,
we went over to Louis Laffidy's to do some service. We sanded down and
old metal swing she has because the paint was all chipping off. Then,
we began to process of reprinting it! It was very hot outside... She
came out and got after us for being out in the heat. Haha after we ran
out of paint, we decided to stop for the day. We will go back when we
get another can of spray paint! She had a couple friends over, so we
went in and she gave us a Pepsi and Zebra Cakes. I never thought I
would be part of an old southern group of ladies gossiping about other
old people in the town! After we left, we went back to shower and cool
off. We went over to a lady's named Tonia. She used to go to church
when her husband was in the military. She does embroidering, so I
asked if she would embroider my bag! She kicked us out of her house
because there was a storm coming in. She tried to get her husband to
take us home, but we wouldn't let them since it wasn't very far away.
We left and got just down the road, then turned the corner and it just
started dumping rain on us. We got soaked and the wind was blowing
debris all over the place!
7-8-16
We had ZTM today which went really well! There were some good
trainings given on diligence and spiritual labor. After that, we ate
at a Chinese buffet with the Cheraw seniors. When we got to H-Ville,
we got a call from Tammy saying that her aunt passed away this morning
and that they're having the funeral Saturday so she can't go to the
temple then. She said that she wants to go on Monday instead during
our Stake Temple trip. We called the temple to switch the appointment
over to Monday which still worked! So we are going to go then instead
which is fine! We then, headed over to Tonia's to pick up my backpack.
She did a really good job and just like what I told her I wanted! We
left to go knock in this area around an investigator. I felt prompted
to go and knock on this one door. Turned out to be a really nice
family with a young baby. The lesson went really well! We gave them a
BoM to read and set up a time to see them again. I think it's so neat
to see the amazing outcomes of following promptings. We went over to
Patti and Dave's during the evening and we had a good visit with them.
They are such a funny old couple. Dave comes up with the craziest
things that he says! I'm gonna miss them whenever I leave
Hartsville... We can always count on them to cheer us right up if we
are feeling down or discouraged.
7-9-16
Today was such a hot day out. The weather this week has either been
really hot, or raining... Or both. We got in our service clothes and
went over to Sis. Smother's to help her put this bunk bed together. It
was quite the project, but I enjoyed it! Her youngest son Pressley
kept us company and told us stories while we were working. Hardee was
having a birthday party for his 12th birthday as well, so we played
some basketball with all the kids. It was a lot of fun! We didn't
catch anyone home today, so it was pretty discouraging... Frank saved
the day and picked us up to go get some milkshakes from Sonic. He's
such a kind and generous guy! He really helps us out a ton.
7-10-16
Church went well as usual. I helped pass the sacrament which was a
neat opportunity to be able to do again! After sacrament meeting, we
got with Tammy and discussed the carpooling situation and everything.
We are going up there early tomorrow so that we can be there when
she's there. I am so excited! We went over to Freddie's to visit with
him for a little bit. We had some Watermelon and pop with him. After
we left, I asked Elder Staley if he was in for a good laugh. We turned
around and stopped by a house that damned Elder Siebers and I to hell
last time we stopped by. His wife answered the door and he came
stomping into the room saying all kinds of stuff on how we shouldn't
add to the Bible and crap like that. He called us "Wolves in sheeps
clothing." Haha and said that we need to humble ourselves. Everyone
always pulls out Revelations 22:18 which says;
"18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the
prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:"
That's a great scripture! It's funny because John was only stating
that no one should add to his book of Revelations. He had no idea his
book was going to be in the Bible which also means "collection of
books" in Hebrew. ALSO, Revelations was written before the New
Testament ended, so therefore the remainder would be invalid if that
was the case. There is a very similar verse in Deuteronomy 4:2 in the
Old Testament where Moses states that no one should add to his
writings as well. He wouldn't give us any time to say anything at all
though. We had a good laugh afterwards. Haha he was a jerk saying that
we are cursed and that our families don't love us. Who's the one that
needs to be more Christlike and humble again? Elder Staley said, "You
never disappoint me when you ask if I'm in for a good laugh!"
After that, we went over to Bro. Moore's. He's an awesome guy from
that ward. He's divorced with some kids. We visited with him for
awhile and he talked about the girls he's been dating recently. It's
nice to have some people you can really be yourself around and just
relax. He's one of them! He will share some funny stories from his
mission as well.
-Elder Mitchell
