Hello!This week was a week just guided by the Spirit!
On Friday, we had service all day. But last minute, they all fell through. Thankfully, we had backup plans. By the time we drove out to our area, we decided to change plans and go see some members. We stopped by Sister S, and she kept asking, "Why did you come?" We said, “We were prompted to come see ya!” She was very grateful. She vented to us for a while, and then we decided to teach a quick lesson. That is when her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend walked in. Her daughter went and took a shower, but we invited her boyfriend, J, to come sit in on the lesson. He did! So we talked about James 1:5 and then brought up Joseph Smith. We asked J if we could teach him more about this message, he said yeah!! New Investigator number 1.
The next day, we went to an appointment the sisters set up for us during the blitz with V. We got there, and the lady had totally spaced. She said she only had 5 minutes to talk, we said "No worries. We can do that!" We really do practice 5 minute lessons. I’m so glad we do! But 45 minutes later, we finally ended with a prayer. People are funny like that over here. They say they only have a short time, but they just love to talk so we end up being there for a long time. Anyways, we taught her the restoration, and asked her if she would be baptized. Then, like the typical southerner, she said "I've already been baptized." Sister Brakey laughs and says "But would you be baptized into this church if you knew this was the true church of God?" She then said "Oh yeah, sure!" New Investigator #2.
And our last new investigator for the week was K. She was not super open to the message, and said she had objections to what we were saying, but let us keep talking. By the end, I really thought she is just set in her ways and isn't going anywhere. But then we shares a scripture that talks about the fruits of the spirit. So we asked "Have you felt these feelings as we have talked today?" She stops and thinks for a second, and then looks up and says "Yeah, I think so." The spirit was super strong, and we knew she meant it. We didn't get a follow up appointment with her, but she does want to learn more! She should be available this week so we will stop by and keep bugging her till we can get in again!
So Transfers happened, and Elder Carr and Davis have arrived! They seem like some great Elders, and they are going to love Kempsville/Salem! Elder Carr is still getting the ropes as district leader, but we are cracking his shy shell little by little everyday!
We had steak with the Z Family the other day... Man that was so good! Not sure why I wanted to tell you that, but I just loved it so much!
It was WAY hot for a few days last week - in the high 80's. And it's not even June yet! Man, summer is going to be intense.
We had a lesson with R, and it went okay. He doesn't understand why church has to be 3 hours, or why he really needs it at all. We tried to explain it best we could, and he said he'd come to the first hour! Unfortunately, some drama happened with his dogs Saturday night, and cancelled on us last minute. We are gonna keep on him though! He is just loving the BofM so much, it's amazing to see him as he prays for the spirit, and then the spirit helps him to understand! T should be back next week, so we can then start teaching her and getting her working toward her date! It's all slow like I said, but there is progression :)
2 other really cool miracles happened as well! We get a phone call from this guy, M, who asks us what ward he is in. We type in his address, and he is in our ward! We ask him if he is a new move in or something, he says "No, I just want to come back to church" Wow!! So we prayed that he would be able to make it Sunday, and he totally did! He mentioned that he wants to go to the temple, so we introduced him to Bishop and they went and talked about it! The Elders are going to visit him often cuz he's in their area. But the cool thing is how in the world did he get our number? God is in the little things :)
Then, we came home a little early to do area book and numbers Saturday night, and 2 dudes started walking up to our car. Sister Brakey was hesitant, but she rolled down the window and greeted them. One of them said "Hey give my friend here a card. He wants to go to church." Woah! So we introduced to ourselves to I, and gave him a card. We were silly though and didn't find out where he lives so the Elders could teach him. But it was just pretty cool that they recognized us a missionaries and came and talked to us! Even though he didn't end up coming to church, it was still a witness to me that people really watch us, and know we are here to help and uplift!
Well, that's all for now! Thought for the week: I know the scriptures are true. Sister Brakey has been writing scriptures on the top of her planner, to inspire us for the next day. Several times, we have followed the counsel the scriptures have given us and miracles have been seen! So challenge for the week: Read read read! It will help ya in more ways than you know :)
I love you all so much, thanks for all your support and prayers, you are amazing!
Have a blessed week!
-Love, Sista Poulsen
