That is really neat to hear that we have ancestors that crossed the plains. How come I never knew this? That would make a great Family Home Evening if we have some of their stories recorded. The Stewart side is still having those right? I love when we can join families in their home evenings, and see how differently they do it. Our ward has begun something called "Cottage Meetings" to help investigator friends of members and part-member families get together for their own Family Home Evening. We've been to 2 so far (one a month sort of thing) and they were fun and I think helpful because the evening was more about having a good time than to force the gospel on anyone.
This week has been interesting to say the least. For starters, I have a new companion! Sister White and Sister Cooper must have come from the same pea pod because they are so a like, they have nearly been connected at the hip since their first meeting. I just sit back and laugh as I watch them. Sister White is from Northern Utah and Sister Cooper is from Southern Utah but because they are both from small towns they know similar people and are always comparing their towns. This is where I drop my head and continue drawing, big city girl has a hard time imagining a town smaller than my high school. However, that all means nothing when it comes to missionary work, Sister White gets all in it.
This week we tracted 7 hours! There have been few times on my mission when I was able to accomplish that much. I have a hard time tracting but I actually kinda had fun with it. There were lots of hills and being winded involved but I survived and this week our goal is to tract 8 hours! Shouldn't be too hard since we're going to be on bikes all week (once we buy Sister Cooper's of course). Our area is now a car share with the elders so we got the car last week and they get it this week. Its so sad, I don't get to drive for a week! Aw, I think I'll cry... Just kidding. Tomorrow is going to be tough, I haven't ridden in so long. In my last area we only rode in utmost need and not too far. Both of us preferred walking to riding. Now because we don't even live in our area, biking is a necessity. So we'll be biking and walking, and tracting and talking, and--with the Lord's help--teaching! This is a good opportunity to get the members more involved.
I had an amazing realization Thursday night, a testimony builder to how the Spirit works. On Thursday we were at correlation with our Ward Mission Leader Brother Sones talking about our investigator JJ who is part of a member family. Brother Sones said that it sounded like he needed to gain a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet rather than just the Book of Mormon. I paused and made a connection to the last time we had been teaching JJ and his family. We had decided to each share our testimonies about the Book of Mormon. I went last and as I sat listening to Sister Holbrook and Sister Cooper I felt inclined to shared how I had gained my testimony of Joseph Smith last year as I had been trying to read my Book of Mormon. I remember when I was sitting on that couch I didn't understand why I should share that because we had all agreed on the Book of Mormon and then talking to Brother Sones it all clicked together. JJ is now in his "two weeks-on" shift at work so we won't be able to talk to him again till next week. But I'm even more curious to know whether those testimonies helped him take a step closer to joining his family in the Lord's church.
Funny comment: We were talking to Bishop at his home last week and introducing him to Sister White and he apologized for talking too much and "adding his two cents." I responded, "That's ok, we like your two cents, they're shiny." That made him and his wife laugh and said it would be his quote of the day. Conclusion: I actually can be funny!
Friday was Elder Conteh's birthday (one of the Petal Elders), he turned 20! In celebration we sang to him at Wendy's during our lunch with a member, made him cookies, and star-attacked his door. I was surprised by his reaction when we talked to him later that night. He was so happy and full of emotion. I still remember my first couple weeks with him, he sat with his head down and wouldn't say anything or look at anyone. Now he makes funny comments and laughs with us. Its awesome! People ask me what I think beauty is and I say "Anyone smiling." Elder Conteh has a great smile!
So funny thing: In Hattiesburg there are train tracks that run through the middle of town and often stop on the streets. Last week we had to drive around one and laughed about it. Well today was worse. The train was over 4 or 5 streets and I did not know how to get past it. Finally after a few minutes we found an end and then after another block an open street. But I was lost. We laughed and sort of cried about the experience and I just tried to head in the general direction I knew he should be going and--SURPRISE!--we found the library. Mad skills, I'm tellin' ya.
This Saturday we have a baptism. Pray for Alexis that everything goes well and she'll be at church so she can be confirmed. We're planning to see her tonight and talk about the commandments. And hopefully this week will yield more investigators. After a huge pep-talk from our ward mission leader last week, he really wants to see more happening in Petal, hopefully his faith will be a boost to this little town!
Mom, thank you for the packages! I'm always surprised by the "mail-able" things that you find. But could you send me some stamps?
Video of the week: Sanctify Yourselves- "When a little league football player is struck by lightning, his 18-year old assistant coach must be prepared to use his newly conferred Melchizedek Priesthood authority to call upon the healing powers of heaven."
I love watching the Mormon Messages. Whenever you are bored or have a minute, give them a look. You won't be disappointed.
Everyone have a good week and pray I make it through the holidays. This whole "away from home for the holidays" thing isn't looking too good.
Also, I would love to hear some good, funny, sad, or terrifying missionaries stories. Anyone (Karl, Aaron, Ryan, Kevin: I'm talking a lot to you) that you can tell me?
Appreciate it! :D
Big Smiles Everyone!
Love, Lucky Lara
Took lazy to bend over to get scrap paper... Sketches for a painting I want to do for a friend. It erased!
Sister Cooper tried on a member's daughter's shirt. The daughter is 12.
Cool house while tracting. Mom, what do you think of the bay-window extending to the 2nd floor?
Brother Brown used to be a singer when he was younger. He always plays for us when we come over.
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