February 20, 2012

Dear Family,

Hello! It has been a great week here in Deep Run. The scripture of the
week is D&C 64:33 and the church reader board of the week is "The best
vitamin for a Christian is B1."

Monday was a good day. We went into town and did some shopping and
that was about it for preparation day. We found out there is a tractor
museum down the street from the library so we want to go see that for
sure one of these preparation days. :]

Tuesday we had zone training! It was great. We learned all about
charity and asking referrals from everyone. We did a role play where
we stood in a circle and then the Jr companions stood outside the
circle and we rotated and took turns asking for referrals in different
situations (dinner appointments, ward council, exchanges, and so
forth) It was fun! I never thought role plays could be fun... The part
about charity was really good too. I have gained a testimony of
updating the area book every night and how that helps build charity
for the area. Charity is important. We were able to meet with the
Turner family in the evening. Austin is reading everyday now, but
Caitlin is not. Caitlin comes to church, but Austin does not. Aaaah!
So frustrating. At least they are making some progress though. We are
praying and then praying some more that they will start keeping all of
their commitments. I found some good scriptures about "considering our
ways" (the choices we are making) and whether they are worthwhile.
(see Haggai 1:6-7) I learned a while back that people tend to try to
find peace and comfort through temporal means. Those things only stay
so long before they are gone, but the things that bring lasting peace
and comfort are prayer, scripture study, and church attendance.

Wednesday was planned to be a super busy day, but ended up being a
not-so-busy day. Clara (Claire...I just found out that I have been
calling her the wrong name for almost 4 1/2 months...how embarrassing)
was not feeling well and was therefore not able to meet with us. Her
baby is due any day now. Our second appointment left us high and dry
and then our last appointment was also feeling under the weather. It
was definitely a "character building day" We did, however, contact a
referral in the evening named Jean. Her mother was a member of the
church, her husband passed away about 6 months ago, and her grandson
was also a member of the church. She had attended the funeral of a
member just a few days previous and had some questions for us like,
"Do you actually use the Bible then?" and "Does everyone go to Heaven
after they die?" It was amazing. We were able to talk a little bit
about the Plan of Salvation with her and she really liked it. She said
she wanted to learn more and then we told her a little bit about
Joseph Smith. She also works with a couple of members. Our day ended
well. :]

Thursday we had an interesting lesson. We went to meet with one of our
newer investigators, Shannon. We met her by mistake last week. When we
went to her house, there was no where to sit (most people here have
VERY small living quarters) So, we stood and talked to her about the
Book of Mormon and how it could bless her life and her son's life. It
turned out being a good lesson and she agreed to meet with us again.
Our exchange was a little confused with everything, but overall it
went well.

Friday was drive to Raleigh and go to the temple day! We did our
weekly library service before leaving. Tasha went to church! She liked
it a lot. We also got to meet her husband (finally). He is really
nice. He said Tasha talks about us a lot. So, I guess that's good! I
keep praying they will open Kinston up to sisters. He wasn't too fond
of the Elders. We met with Claire before we headed off to Raleigh as
well. She is working hard on her family still. We read Alma 33 which
is like a hidden treasure since it is squashed between the popular
Alma 32 and 34. It is a very good chapter. We were able to talk about
apostasy and prayer and the tree of life. She really liked vs 23 and
said that she definitely wanted to read that chapter with her
boyfriend. She has also been forwarding the scripture of the day that
we send out to her sister, Arraceli. Sister Heath came on exchanges
with us. She is going to be such a good missionary. Clara has a rabbit
that lives her house. Sister Heath did not know that and the rabbit
just about gave her a heart attack when it decided to jump on her. It
was really funny. After our appointment, we drove to Raleigh. It was
nice to see civilization again. There were actually people! And
businesses! We met with the Cotterells and Sister Joseph and Sister
Whitney at the mission home, had dinner and then headed off to the
temple. I love the temple. It was a great session and it was so neat
to see Bro. Williams (the man who was going through for the first
time) go through. He LOVED it. He was so happy. He is going to be
getting sealed to his wife in March. She passed away a few years ago
and he is so excited to get sealed to her. It was nice seeing Sister
Joseph again too.

Saturday morning we woke up and were all beat. We had breakfast,
prayed and headed back to our areas. I saw another church sign that
was good. It said, "Your worst day with God is better that your best
day without Him." Profound, right? I thought so. We went to a baptism
in Albertson. None of our investigators were there and we weren't
quite sure what our purpose was in staying, but right before the
program started, Bro. Potter came up to us and asked if we would be
willing to give a talk on the Holy Ghost because the brother who was
supposed to give the talk wasn't there and they couldn't get ahold of
him. We agreed. It turned out really good. The family whose daughter
was getting baptized has been less active for a long time and I guess
the Elders found them whilst tracting. It was a really good baptism.
Afterwards, we drove to Beulaville and had a lesson with Nathan about
faith. He is still trying to make a solid decision about baptism. His
parents (mom mostly) doesn't like the idea of him joining the church
and told him that he wasn't allowed to go to institute with his
girlfriend, Kaela anymore. He said he didn't agree and that he liked
what he had learned thus far and felt good about it all and that he
was willing to "fight for this." He wants to go to church. The trick
is getting him to actually go. He said he is going to invite his mom
and dad to come with him though!

Sunday we had a great lesson with Amy about doubts. We found out her
concerns (from Sarah mostly) and we now have an idea of how to help
her progress. She has come to church (all 3 hours) for a whole month
almost! We watched "Finding Faith in Christ" with her and read some
from Mormon 9 about not doubting. She agreed to read and pray
sincerely and she is letting us come back. Afterwards we had a lesson
at the Smith's home with Greg. He has been out of town for two weeks
or so. We asked him how his reading was going. He said he had been
reading still, but that the audio CD with the Book of Mormon on it was
just about putting him to sleep. We talked about prayer with him. We
realized that he needs to have faith in Jesus Christ and the first
step to developing that faith is through prayer (see Alma 34: 17-27)
He asked his wife when we could come back over. Hooray for miracles!

It was a good week with lots of good things going on. I am thankful
for temples and for the work that is done there. I am thankful for the
spirit that is there and I know that it is the Lord's house.

Have a wonderful week! I love you all. Thank you for all you do.

Much love,

Sister J