Bristol Bustling

Hey, here's some more in Bristol, hope you all are finding joy throughout every day. Super quick week with a lot of unanswered phone calls and people who are just too busy I guess. Not the most successful week as far as getting through to teaching but I still am so grateful to be a missionary at this time.

It has amazed me to see those who are tucked away into there houses during these times and what it takes to bring them the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even though it is a little weird right now the truth is still important and probably even more important than ever before. Perseverance and a right attitude have been vital to opening my eyes to the miracles throughout this past week.

I have become quite the chef and made meals for the Elders a couple times as we made a pact not to eat out at all. This plan did not include Baja Blast freezes which I of course still got every single day. The greatest blessing from the week was definitely receiving news that Veronica from my days in Peru got baptized! She was my first lesson in the field and an investigator I will never forget. I have referenced her a ton of times before and would say seeing her every Thursday at 7 shaped the way I teach as a missionary today. Bold and with a purpose at all times, laying down the truth and not wasting the Lord's time with chit-chat in between. I was so happy to hear this news as it I met her back in November and it is now the end of July. Caused me to realize how fast time has gone by and remember that Peru wasn't just a big dream. I am excited to see her again one day and congratulate her on the most important decision in her life.

Other than that it is the end of the transfer and us four Elders here in Bristol are staying. So no change up just yet, still rocking it in the motel, any ideas for fun just shoot them over. Found out that the Tennessee Knoxville Mission is number one for Facebook finding so if you were wondering what I'm doing everyday there you go. Hope everyone is trying harder this week, no limit until you're actually there.

Chao fam

La Obra

Great week full of work! Had exchanges with the zone leaders on Tuesday and it was great to really meet them and have a productive day. Met a guy who played baseball for Southern Virginia University which is pretty much BYU-I in the east so he had lots to talk about regarding his teammates who were members and all. We met with Lisa again and she pulled in a little after us with a whole truckload of groceries. On all the bags was printed the Church's logo and she talked to us about the support she has been given by the church. It was really amazing to see the hand of the Lord directly in people's lives such as the Church's organization to feed those in need. We helped her to carry in all the food and supplies and then taught a quick lesson about miracles in our lives and loving those around us. She came to church yesterday with a handload of grandchildren and they were a blast to play with, planning on dropping of some Book of Mormon cartoons and a Songbook CD for them to use too. We are now teaching a lady named Elyse and she has been one of the coolest people we've met so far. She is very understanding and open to listen. Only difficult thing is she does not like people telling her what to do and how to live her life so we are doing our best to explain everything. Her mom is a member and took the other Elders out to eat while we were teaching but Elyse ordered pizza the next time we saw her and we were chilling. She has a ton of questions and it has really pushed me to be prepared and rely on the Spirit to tell me what to say, it legit works. Had exchanges on Thursday and Elder Wilson and I killed it with a couple of his investigators. I opened a couple birthday gifts and they were awesome! So grateful for the support I have and those people that I have in my life. On Friday we had District Council, ate some lunch, and then President came for interviews. He really just wanted to get to know each of us better and I can't imagine how he's been doing over the past few days meeting everyone and settling in as the new president. In the interview he asked me what he should be doing as a mission president since I've been out longer than him. Definitely took me by surprise and showed his level of humility to listen to us and learn from us. Really respectable, and put-together man all around. Saturday we had a ton of lessons and one that sticks out was with Nicky. She is very kind and loved to hear from us so we shared the message of the Restoration but unlike the many times I've taught this before, it really hit us. Even just standing with her on her porch the Spirit was so strong and we were all bawling by the end of it. Sorry this is so long but lastly, on Sunday, I was able to meet my great aunt Betty! She lives just up the road in the next town and we had a wonderful conversation on her porch just catching up on things. She is not a member but rather a devout Baptist so I've got some work to do. And I'm thankful for it!

Why do I believe?

Another crazy fast week, wish I was more into journal writing to remember what happened each day. Met the President and his wife at zone conference and they are amazing; just imagine a young Bednar and that's him. He spoke with power and consistency, very inspiring and a funny guy too.

He brought up a few questions like: Why do I believe? What do I hope for? Why did I seek to become a missionary? What is it all about? President Graham allowed me to gain perspective and I invite you all to ask yourselves these questions as I believe they apply to everyone.

Teaching went pretty good this week with great opportunities to serve as well. Helped a lady move and that's always fun, people think it's so crazy that we just do things efficiently and for free. I love doing it so much, maybe because it's the only time we get out. Been trying to have a better attitude with Facebook and it really shows. I even talked to this guy for a while and he wants to come to church next week.

I hope everyone else has been able to have the best Sabbath they can whether they can go or not, I am so thankful to be going here in Tennessee. Met another couple on Saturday that are really nice, they are raising rabbits, chickens, and growing a garden. Really excited to meet them again as well as all the others we are teaching. Work is going as fast as it can out here. Remember we're all disciples of Christ, so be a brighter light to those around you this week.

Pouring Out the Spirit and the Rain

The weeks are really flying by now, can barely remember what even happened last week. We had a couple baptisms in the district this past weekend and They were amazing. I got to play the piano for them and the services were really special. The most immense joy comes from seeing those we are teaching and love enter this sacred covenant with God.

One of the baptisms was a young woman who is now the first member in her family and a great example to her siblings and hopefully her parents. The bravery she had was outstanding and a blessing to witness. Earlier that week we helped her and her family move because they were being evicted and that was quite the experience. We loaded all the big stuff from their trailer-home like beds and furniture into a member's truck and headed off only to be hit by a huge thunderstorm. They don't have a car and have limited communication so we waited in a Walgreens parking lot in the pouring rain. Everything was getting soaked so we ran inside and bought some trash bags to make a tarp, it was awesome.

They ended up never making it and didn't get the new house so we had to deal with the truckload of stuff but it all worked out eventually. Had a few dinner appointments with the ward members that went great. It seems like everyone lives on their own hill with lots of land and green everywhere. I'm moving here one day.

The people are great including a new guy we met on Friday named Bradley. We met his wife and five kids last week and were back to see her but she was busy with the baby so we talked with her husband. He is a hardworking man and loving father. I am even more excited to see the whole fam this coming week again. Our 4th of July wasn't too crazy, had dinner at the Bishops but had to be in by 8. He was hosting a party with lots of non-member neighbors and it would have been an amazing opportunity but safety is important.

Hope everyone's holiday was a blast and nothing blew up the way it wasn't supposed to. Keep striving to improve and remember the many blessings you have in your life.
 Chao!