Howdy from Woodville- the love of my life! I LOVE serving out here in the country, and I have the best companion on the planet. I'm so incredibly blessed far beyond what I deserve.
Monday was of course transfers- WOOT! We went to Walmart for groceries and met several investigators and members there... it's kind of the only place to go around here. That was fun. The awesome M* family fed us for dinner that night. They fed us Taco Pie and I drank my Koolaid from a mason jar. I LOVE the country :)
Tuesday we visited a young woman named R*. Her father is pentecostal/apostolic and was very hostile while pretending not to be. The Spirit constrained us from arguing w/ him at all, and he suddenly had to leave. (answer to our prayers!) We were then able to bear powerful testimony to R* and plant a seed even though she's not currently interested in learning more. She's a remarkable girl, and I'm happy we were able to have an effective lesson w/ her. We went to the nursing home where I got to meet "Granny" and "Big Mama"- sweet members who love us to pieces. We did some tracting and had some success. We've been very prayerful about when we go finding, and the Spirit has been very strong as we've done so. The D* family fed us fried Catfish and tater tots for dinner. They totally rock. After dinner we also went to visit Bro. and Sis. L* (our ward mission leader and his wife) They're totally fabulous. Sis. L* gave Sis. Mapa and I mumus to wear in our apt. They're pretty awesome... we've taken pics in them.
Wednesday we had weekly planning which was incredibly spiritual and effective and under 3 hours- AWESOME!!! We visited our investigator J*, and set up an appt. w/ her. Then we visited Sis. M* while were in the neighborhood. She's the seminary teacher for our branch and she's completely amazing. We then decided to go knock doors, and felt good about a particular street. We very soon ran into a former investigator who had just broken up w/ her fiance and had been contemplating suicide earlier that day. It was exactly where the Lord needed us to be and we were used as instruments to comfort her and lift her spirit. I met Sis. B* and we had a lesson w/ her- she's a sweet elderly member of our branch. Bro. and Sis. W* and J* S* fed us dinner that night. J*'s Bro. and Sis. in law were also there for Thanksgiving. They fed us YUMMY Taco Soup. We had a great discussion w/ them about Elder Holland's conference address.
Thursday was Thanksgiving!!! I hope all y'all's was great!!! Please don't judge me for the TX grammar of that sentence :) Ours was fabulous, but didn't involve much overreating. We only had one meal appt. w/ Bro. and Sis. J* and W* K*. Turkey, stuffing, Jello-fruit salad-thing (YUM!), Sweet Potatoe Casserole- never had it before and I'm in love!, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed veggies... and nothing else I can remember. They sent us home w/ pumpkin pie so we could enjoy it after our food digested. It was great that evening :) In the morning we went and helped C* M* get started w/ getting her mission papers filled out online. We chilled there and wrote letters and had our skirts nibbled on by goats and learned how to clean out a horse's water trough w/ dirt. Have I mentioned that I LOVE Woodville? A* G*- our recent convert and good friend from Baytown, came down to visit us that afternoon. We went and hung out at the park and took pics and talked. We had lots of fun and made a Walmart run. That night we spent some time at the D*'s writing more letters and watching "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration." It was a great day :D
Friday we had District Mtg. w/ the Elders in Jasper. Elder Hugentobler is now my district leader which is kind of weird for me since he was my district leader in the MTC. He's grown a lot since then. He's training a brand new greenie, Elder Matthews and that's our whole district. I've now been in 4- person districts for 5 months, I've learned to enjoy them. It's weird being so far away from... everyone... while serving here in Woodville. We visited some less-active members after lunch... that was pretty awkward. We visited the S* who attend Fred branch, but live in our area... they're in their 90's and are adorable and love us. We went tracting and once again had some fabulous spiritual experiences. We ended up teaching a lesson on the street corner to A*, T*, and S* who were incredibly receptive. S*'s grandpa had just died the night before, and we were able to comfort her through scriptures in the Book of Mormon. We have a return appt. w/ them for this week. The G* fed us pizza and salad for dinner that night. They're so sweet. Sis. G* has been a member for less than a year and has such a strong testimony.
Saturday we volunteered at Heritage Village. A historic museum village place- kind of awesome. We helped them decorate for Christmas by making swags for building posts out of freshly cut pine, cedar, holly, and youpon branches. TOTALLY put us in the Christmas mood. We were quite helpful and had lots of fun. While we were there, Bro. and Sis. S* from Baytown showed up! They were in the area camping. That was a fun surprise! The Heritage Village people fed us tasty chili for lunch.
That afternoon we tracked down the address of a former investigator, visited and set up an appt. w/ some other investigators, and went tracting. While tracting a father answered the door w/ a little baby girl in his arms and a 3 yr. old girl at his side. As soon as he opened the door, his 3 yr. old walked up and gave me a big hug... then proceeded to ask her dad if she could come w/ us. After talking w/ him and him stating that he was comfortable in his church and such we turned to leave, only to hear more begging from the sweet girl to go w/ us. It was clear that the man was totally shocked by his daughter's behavior. It supports a theory we have that children totally recognize us as representatives of Jesus Christ and are drawn to the Spirit they feel when they meet us. It happens all the time, and it never gets old. Bro. H* H* fed us dinner- turkey, green beans, rolls, etc. His wife is actually the one who did the cooking, but Harvey's the one who ate w/ us. Sis. H* is happy in her faith and is not a member- super cool woman. Bro. H* investigated the church for like 40 yrs. before being baptized just a few years ago. Good times :)
Yesterday was fabulous at church! The branch is so sweet and welcoming. The S* from Baytown joined us too :) That afternoon we were able to teach some pretty awesome people. The M* family fed us dinner. They remember our family- pretty cool. They fed us deer meat- first time I've had it. It was pretty much delicious. We had a great week and I love Woodville!
I love you all!! Send mail- I miss it! SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!
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