England Sisters Strike

Funny: We got a referral from some sisters in England this week. We had a hard time contacting him and finally we got a hold of the sisters in England to ask some questions. Near the end of the conversation one of the sisters told us that she knows Elder Ludlow. As it turns out he used to go on a ton of dates with this girl. Bahaha, the look of surprise was priceless.

Spiritual: This week we miracles as we were finding people. We were out on a hot day in the middle of a trailer park that is up on a mesa, there was no shade and we were a tad discouraged. We knocked on a potential’s house and they opened up and let us right in. We were able to share a message from the Book of Mormon with them and they asked us to go visit another family that was living in a shed in their back yard. It was incredible. Both families are interested and we are excited to see what happens this week.

Where I am at: We are getting another companion for the next 2 weeks!! Elder Hendricks is coming back to the mission after a short break. It'll be interesting to see how that changes the dynamics. It should be a crazy little while, back into the trio power! (super hero theme plays in background)

Slip Sliding Away

Funny: We had a big stake activity this week. While there, we met a family who is with the 5th ward. The kids were telling us the best way to go down the slip and slid. Between three of them, all around the ages of 6-7, they determined that the best way for us to go down would be naked. So that we didn't get our clothes wet. I'm not sure what the stake would have thought if we had actually done that...

Spiritual: So as part of Elder Ludlow's training we get an extra hour of study to help him adjust. This week we had some very amazing experiences. It seemed that each thing we studied we ended up using throughout the day. An example is that one day were working on using the Spirit to identify a person’s concern. After the study we went to Amy's, while there the lesson was going well but you could tell it just wasn't the best. At one point we stopped and just listened. As we sat there in silence Elder Ludlow asked a great question, I don't even remember what the question was but it was definitely inspired. It led to Amy telling us that she had just had a moment where she felt the Spirit guiding her path. As it turned out that was a huge turning point for her because it showed her that God does love her and that this is the true church. We would have never gotten there if we hadn't taken the time to listen to her and to the Spirit.

Where I am at: It has been very hot down here and we have been walking a lot. My tan is beginning to show through the burn. But, life is good. It has been an amazing week of talking to people and sharing the Gospel. Life is great.

Farmington- An Unexpected Journey

Funny: We had just sat down to do a quick planning session on Monday evening when the door opened. In poured Elder after Elder, there had been a mistake on the MLC travel news and every missionary that was staying in Farmington on Monday came to our apartment. We hadn't been warned. There were a lot of missionaries in a small apartment. We felt very similar to the hobbits in The Hobbit, the dwarfs just kept coming and coming. And they ate a ton of our food. I feel a better sense of empathy for Bilbo.

Spiritual: Our zone conference this week was incredible. President Ackerman is incredible. We are really focusing on having the Faith to Find and to break down the hard parts of missionary work. We talked a lot about the why of missionary work. Especially the why behind the Doctrine of Christ. When we understand the why of the Gospel it is amazing how easy it is to share it. It becomes natural because it just makes sense that we share it, why wouldn't we?

Where I am at: We had a great week this week. Lots of finding and lots of missionaries. Another funny story for you happened in Primary. We were asked to do a spotlight where the kids could ask us any question they wanted to. One little boy raised his hand and asked if we were married. To which we responded that we were not. Another little girl with a very large look of concern on her face asked, why not! It's good to know that the Primary is concerned for us...

AMERICA!!! Sponsored by Freedom

Funny: The Lord answers prayers in some pretty funny ways. We met with a lady who really likes to talk and we didn't have to long to be there. So, before we got out of our truck we said a prayer asking that we will be able to leave by 3:00. Well the lesson looked like it was going to go long but in the span from 2:45 -2:55 a massive storm came out of nowhere. It started pouring rain so hard. We were outside so the lesson was over at exactly 3:00. It was quite the miracle.

Spiritual: We were teaching Amy who is our Investigator on date. She was sharing how she wasn't sure that the Holy Ghost had ever talked to her. We pulled out the old spiritual sandwich on her. We shared some scriptures talking about the Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit. We then bore powerful testimony about the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel. She felt the Holy Ghost in high voltage! It was giving us all shivers. It was amazing.

Where I am at: Everything is good in the hood. We had a really fun 4th of July. We were going to go into a trailer park to visit some members but it was dark and as we drove past we heard people shooting guns in the air while letting out rebel yells. At least we think it was that... We decided to go to the rich neighborhood instead. But I am loving it here. It is perfect for me.

Out Here on the Farm(ington)

 Funny: This week was crazy. We had so many crazy experiences. On one of our first days here we were walking trying to find people, we saw these people standing by their car as we went over to talk to them another car came up and they started exchanging paper bags. Needless to say, we decided that we should probably keep walking. This area is going to be an adventure!

Spiritual: White washing has so many miracles involved. We were able to meet with one of the investigators that had been taught for a long time. She had told the last elders that she would never come to church and that she would never be baptized. Well, during the course of our discussion she committed to both come to church and to be baptized. It was amazing.

Where I am at: I am down here in the Hood, most of our area we are not allowed to go into at night because it is gang infested. It is very fun! We have 3/4 hood and one super rich millionaire neighborhood. It is such a strange mix in church. But overall life is so good. The Ackermans are amazing and I am so excited to learn from them.

I love you all and appreciate your prayers