Successful Branch Party!

Hello Everyone,

This week was amazing we had an activity, the Jackson Fall Party. We had it at the Knight’s barn and it was a success!!! We had about 120 people there! Everyone had a great time.  We had 9 nonmembers there as well.  The Wicklunds who I have been working with for 5 months now finally came to a church activity!  Yes!  It was a miracle that she and her husband came to it.  That was the best part of the week for me.  Plus she didn't just show up, she was talking with everyone there, which was awesome.  On Sunday unfortunately we did not have 120 people but we have seen an improvement with attendance.

We were not able to get in touch with Debby this week.  She wasn't there the two times we stopped by her place but we are still hoping to meet with her husband soon.

Elder Zwick really help me out and the whole spiritually progression chart was really insightful. So with that I am striving to study what is important and to be as obedient as I can so that I can have the spirit to be with me!  

Shout out to Bro. Marchman!

Thank you all for reading this email!

I don't know what this really is but I got a picture of it!

Branch Party

Hello everyone,

We went and taught Debby twice this week.  On Saturday we talked to her and invited her to church.  Anyway, long story short, she came to church again!!!   She was very actively engaged in the lesson in Gospel Principles and stayed for the whole three hours!   I forgot to also include that she has been reading the Book of Mormon as well and moving right along.  

Wednesday we went finding in Monticello because I've [gone finding] most places here other than Monticello.  We found a few people we can go and see, so I am excited for that.

This coming week we have a branch party over at the Knight’s.  We are hoping to have  many investigators there.  This will be a great opportunity for fellowshipping in the branch with investigators.

Sunday was a great [day] for us and the branch.  We had a about 53 people at church and we had 4 investigators at church as well!  For me the most important key indicators are reading the Book of Mormon, member Present [lessons], and Investigators at church.  These three are super important to me and I try my hardest to accomplish them.

Thank you for reading this email!

Ponderize!

Hello Ya 'all,

I think this week our investigators were hiding from us!  No not really. We just had a hard time meeting with any of them.   Something I have notice in this area and since our president has been here we have seen miracles with the Book of Mormon!  I don't think I have ever had this many of my investigators actually reading as much [as they are doing now].

This week we were able to find a few more people than we have usually been able too.  That went really well.  Also at sacrament meeting, we had 57 people at church which was really awesome, about 7 less actives who had not been in a very long time.  I also think having the senior couple here has helped a lot which has been a blessing in our work.

We were able to see Debby who came to church/conference.  She read the Book of Mormon a little bit.  She didn't quit understand the Book of Mormon so instead of teaching the plan of Salvation we explained the Book of Mormon.

This week my "Ponderize" [scripture] is Alma 32:21 Concerning Faith.  What’s yours?  E-mail me or write me yours.

Thank you all for your support and help here on my mission!

Sandy Springs Zone Conference

Conference Weekend

Hello everyone,

We were able to help the Salders move and get settled in and show them around the area a little bit.  On Thursday we went and toured the area together showing them around and introducing them to the members of the area.

Thank you all who sent cards and so on for my B-day!

This conference was really good.  I had a lot of question answered and it was inspiring to hear the words of the prophet! We also saw miracles happen as we invited our investigators to church.  We had a member bring one of their family members to church which was cool.  Also, we invited this lady we tracted into who lived a block away from the branch president and she came.  When they realized that they were neighbors they exchanged phone numbers and now she's going to get a ride from Sister Carrin!!!!  We were supper excited when they made the connection.  We hope to teach her more and help them understand the Gospel more fully.

One message that stood out to me was, "What will you become through the Atonement of Jesus Christ?"  Wow!!  That's pretty crazy!   Because it’s our choice to accept it [the atonement] and become what our heavenly father wants us to be.  It’s a choice to be saved and exalted through him.  Can't remember who said that.  It’s in my notes at the apartment, but that was powerful.

Thank you for reading my email!  Have a great week!

Why did the turtle cross the rode?  He didn't!!! We picked him up and took his picture!

Box turtle

Fun P-Day

Hello Everyone,

This week was pretty rainy.  But nonetheless we still pushed through the storm.  Last P-day we went to Dauset Trails by Indian Springs, the oldest state park.  Dauset Trails has trails up through it and a bunch of animals like snakes, turtles, mountains lions, and you name it we saw it there.  So it was pretty fun.  The Harpers and the Knolls took us there.

On Tuesday we went and saw Traci and we were able to sit down and talk to her about the restored gospel.  We gave her a Book of Mormon and invited her to read it.  After the lesson she told us that she really felt the spirit as we taught her.  

We were able to Lee and talk to him about his Book of Mormon reading.  He has now finished 1 Nephi and still feels strongly inspired by the book.  We talked to the Knolls this week and they are going to try and see if we can both go over there and teach him more.  Saturday we were able to see the Sanders and get in contact with them. We asked them if they would come to church they said they would, but they didn't.  But I believe they are ones that we can get to come to church if we work hard with them.

Saturday we were just got back from working with the Knights helping them out with some things and we were leaving again to go see some people when a preacher came and knocked on our door to talk to us.  Long story short, he just wanted to bash with us and having a younger and cocky companion they started to go at it.  Oh well.  The church is still true.   Anyway, don't Bible bash.  It’s just a waste of a hour of your life and you will get nowhere.

Thanks for reading! HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!

Pics me and Mr. Pinky
Turtles!!!!!!

Great Investigators

Hello Everyone,

This week was awesome!  Our investigators have been reading the Book of Mormon this week and their testimonies are growing.  First off, while we were waiting to meet a less active at the church, we got a call from Lee who we had talked to early this week.  He was calling to talk to us about what he has read  and went off on how there was Hebrew signs in the Cherokee Indian history and good stuff like that.  Anyway, he is really excited about the book of Mormon.  He has read so far up to 1 Nephi 8.   As well, he wants to meet with us as soon as his home is somewhat clean.  so he is pretty excited and we are too!

Bobby who is Candy's husband has read up to 1 Nephi 20 and just has question after question for us.  What’ really cool about him is that you can see the real intent he has of wanting to know more.  Anyway, he is planning on coming to church.  We are very excited or these two.

We met with Sandy.  She has not kept her commitment this past week so we were a little sad for that.  But she still wants to be baptized.  We try getting her on date but she said that she needs more time so we will try and talked to her about it next time more.

This last week we had an awesome find.  We were going over to visit a potential Investigator’s house and this lady came out and asked us if we were selling anything.  We were like nope, “we are missionaries, do you want to say a pray with us?”  She was like, “yeah, you guys Mormons.”  As we started talking to her she had worked for a dentist who was a Mormon.  In fact, all the employees were Mormon and so she was very interested in the Book of Mormon.  She told us that by next Tuesday, I will have read it all so we will see tomorrow.

This Sunday Bro Knight, who was [recently] baptized gave a talk and he did a really good job.  I was super proud of him.

Today we are going to go hiking in the woods so I will send some sweet pics next week but until then peace!!

Thanks ya'all

Short Letter

Hey Everyone,

It’s going to be short because I don't have much time this week.  This week we exchanged with our District leader.  Elder Hansen and I were in Stockbridge and they had nothing really planned so we went finding all day.  It was pretty fun especially since it has cooled off now and so we don't sweat as much.    But we had fun.  We also helped them move into a new apartment.

Thanks for all you do!