Happy St. Patty's Week! 3/16/2015

Happy St. Patties Week! Can you believe it's already the mid of March? Craaazy how time flies!

Tuesday - We drove to Billy's house (someone we tracted into) at 10am = no answer at the door. We should have left a sticky Note....We tried calling and left a voice mail! We got back to the car. "Let's go try Rick!" (10 ft away). I was so nervous. Then i remembered the scripture I read in my personal studies in the book of Numbers in the old Testament.  It said, "Do not fear him; for i have delivered him into they hands." Hmmm..better have more faith!

We knocked on his door and he walked out holding the BOM in his hands, "Hey girls..." he started as he's walking out on the porch where we;'re standing. "I read that chapter you as kesd me to read, and I didn't get anything out of it."My heart started to sink. He tried to give it back to us, but we insisted that he could keep it. then it came to me, "Did you pray about it?" He admitted he didn't. I explained to him that even...when I don't pray before I read the bible OR the BOM, i don't get anything out of it. But when I do pray, I get so much more out of it! I told him that if he wants to know the truth, he needs to go to the source of all truth = God. He easily and readily accepted the new commitment!!! WHAAT?! My mind was BLOWN! In about five min vs two hours from the last visit, he accepted the new invitation! WHATTA MIRACLE! Now....time for me to start praying!

On our way to the library to do some studies, Terry came into my mind. I turned around and went to her house. She said she wasn't feeling too good, but she said we could come in for a lil bit. She explained how she was trying to do some cleaning - after a bit of happy excited persuasion, she allowed us to help! In the end, her husband AND her were thanking us SO much! he said he was impressed how we were helping. Brownie Points with husband! haha! He apparently looked at the Resto Pamphlet the night before too! SCORE! They wanted us back! WAHOOO! Our next appt cancelled but Shawn Phelps called and asked us to come over! After our lunch we went over. Was SO good to see him! Been a while. We talked for a while and made a family mission plan!

In the evening we decided to go to Mish's house (Bev's Aunt - non member with Dimensha) After Walking the wrong way and getting lost we finally found her house. (we were walking). Sweet and funny lady! Always has to give us a snack (I'm NOT complaining at ALL! I LOVE snacks!) She ended up giving us a cookie, water and ice cream. As soon as we both took a bite of the ice cream, we looked right at each other and lipped, "Coffee". haha! we looked at the tub to realize  there was some espresso syrup in it. Yeah....woops! ....

After we were in for the night, Sis. Blau and I had a TON of fun taking selfies together! I love her SOOO much!

Wednesday - While we were at feeding America one of the volunteers in there told me that the young man who was working the one that always came in and took out the trash, Justin - he told her he was a Mormon! I was determined to find out if this was true. Eventually he came in with one ear phone in. he took out the trash then came back in. Before he left I called out his name. I think I said I had a question for him. He walked over and I asked him if he attended a church. Phew was I blunt! He said he used to - hasn't been in a while. I asked what church; and he either said the Mormon church, or the LDS church...or both :p I needed up telling him we were the missionaries for this area. He seemed either relieved or interested. His countenance changed and got into a position standing up to chil and talk. I was washing dishes, so I talked as I did that. I found out he was 20 years old and will be going in the Army in Oct and will get out in 2018. He wants to then get into something like Patrol in Wyoming since that's where he's from. I invited him to church AND HE SAID HE'D COME!!! WHOOO! He lives off of Exit 5 though and the church is off of exit 7 = both in Bristol. Aka - have to give to Elders...WHAAAA! Oh well... at least we're trying to get him back to church. That's what counts! Stake Conference was coming up, so it was both wards anyways. I was done with the dishes while we were still talking. I said, "I'm going to get back to work." He agreed, pushed his ball cap forward and said he would too. It was funny, because Carol (the LA that's in charge of Feeding America = Soup Kitchen) was all like, "he was on the cute side, wasn't he?" I just gave her a smile.She then went on to tell me how he was doing community service, so he might had done something not good. I looked at her, "Carol, I'm not even looking right now." Haha! She replied, "I know!" As we were leaving, he looked up and said, "10 O'clock Sunday?" He followed up with us!!! SO perfect!

After Lunch, we went tracting! We decided to go to the big brick houses in the neighborhood not too far from our apt complex. We started walking there. Obviously I had some fun conversations with Sis. Blau since we get along SO amazing! It's like we're the same person, but not at the same time! We finally were at the tip of the nei8ghborhood street trying to figure out if we wanted to do the houses right before the neighborhood. As we were doing so, we saw a man at his truck pulling out some wood. I decided that if we're going to ask the Lord to give us people , we need to talk to the people we see - just in case they're outside when we are for a reason. He ended up agreeing to listen, for can't say no to a message about Jesus! Now, why can't EVERYONE feel that way?! His name was Tommy Castle. We ended up teaching How to Begin Teaching along with Resto. After all was said and done he agreed to pray about the BOM and Joseph Smith. He said he'd prob read the whole thing since he likes to read. COOL1 First house, and we already had an other lesson and a new investigator! WHAT A BLESSING! We didn't have much success the rest of tracting, but every one was SUPER nice!

After dinner, we had BOM class at Bev's. Bro. Gesteitz came AND Shawn Phelps with his friend Allison! WHOOO! It turned out to be a great discussion! We went over 2 Ne[hi with all the O's and Wo's. Bro Gestewitz had a blast talking with Sis. Blau (as I know she did with him) after Shawn and Allison left going into D&C scriptures! It was funny watching them go back and forth! 

Thurs - In the evening we had a Luau with the Relief Society of both the Abingdon and Bristol Wards. It turned out to be a GREAT night! I loved it so much! Good turnout! After dinner, we all did a speed dating with all the women to get to know one another. Was GREAT!

Friday - We had an appt with Lina, Rex and Juan. They confessed they weren't looking to get baptized anytime soon because they didn't want to give up certain things yet. They didn't want to be taught all the same lessons again either. So, we're just going to go over and talk with them and read out of the BOM with them. It's a good "start."
We got to go see Terry and her husband Patrick and taught the restoration. It was the best lesson Sis. Blau and I had taught together yet! Was wonderful! They accepted too to read and pray about the BOM and Joseph Smith! YAY! 

Saturday - had a delumpcious lunch with the coopers. Lauren Cooper has an ADORABLE newborn! I love him so much! Afterwards we did some tracting - got one return appt. We went on a team up after tracting with Kelly Bauserman (RM) and NONE of our appts held through....oh well. That's the missionary life for ya ;) Stake Conference Adult Session was AMAZING! They had some talks, then they had some pre chosen people come and give their testimonies of their conversion. Afterwards they opened up the congregation with a microphone going around to anyone that wanted to speak. It was to talk about what those testimonies meant to you and what popped out at you. Was really interesting.

Sunday - Had a great family Stake Conference. Justin Came! We introduced him to some people. He said he hadn't been to church in 2 years! I asked him if he was going to try and come again next week. He said he would. He said he would try to go to the Bristol Ward. YAY! He then asked if I was going to the Abingdon. I said I would. He said..."Well, I might try to come to that one." OH NO!!! Luckily the Elders got a hold of him after the meeting and we left. Phew. Don't convert to me Justin...convert to the Gospel! Thank goodness for the Elders!

After church we went and visited The Delps (sweet family) then had dinner at the Bauserman's. Afterwards we had a nice conversation with Bro. Lee. Was a good day!

Then there's today. we decided just to stay in Abingdon instead of going to the church for our PDay. We went and checked out the Martha which is a Motel and is very historically interesting and old. We walked around that and took some pictures. Then we went to an Oil and Vinagear tasting. I really want to take my parents to that after my mission when I revisit my mission and see what they think! Super good!

As we were walking back to our car to go to lunch, we see someone walking across the street that looked a LOT like Scarlette Long (memeber in our ward). suddenly she did a double take at us, so I wave...what do ya know...IT WAS HER! She was SOOO sweet and took us out to lunch! I love her! And now we're at the library emailing and won't be on as long as usual. Just about to get off actually. haha! 

Well, now that your eyes are tired of reading this long story, I hope you have a great day! And I can't wait to hear back from you! How's your life going? What's new? Anything exciting? What are your plans for patties' day? Love you!!!

pic 1 - RS Luau

Pic 2 - Sis. Williams and Sis. Blau at Luau

Pic 3 - Me and Lil Nowicki

Love,

Sister Thomas

Please write! 19440 midwest cir. #11 Abingdon, VA 24211