April 11

Howdy from Woodville, TX where we are approaching summer weather very quickly! 

 

Monday was a fairly normal preparation day.  We cleaned and ran errands and such.  Right as we finished our grocery shopping, we were immersed in a downpour/hailstorm.  It didn't last that long, but long enough to drench us and our groceries in the parking lot.  Fun adventures :)  That night we had dinner w/ Bro. and Sis. M* and B* O* and family who fed us some delicious grilled chicken, homegrown corn, potato salad, rolls, and Reeses PB cookies for dessert. We also stopped by S* F*'s home, she is 17 and has lots of challenges, but has a solid head on her shoulders and we are excited to be teaching her.

 

Tuesday we had a lesson w/ recent convert Bro. J* J* in the morning, and we also stopped by for a visit and lesson w/ F* and D*- two fabulous sisters.  Then we rode down to Beaumont w/ Sis. D* and Sis. K*.  They dropped us off at Dr. Stovall's office and went to take care of some other things and then picked us up when we were finished.  Dr. Stovall drew some more blood and asked me some questions and told me to just keep up the good work.  Nothing new, which is fine w/ me since I haven't had an episode in a couple of months now.  The D*s fed us pasta that night and the K*s joined us too.  We also went up to Crosby hill to visit Bro and Sis S*. 

 

Wednesday morning we had interviews w/ President Moldenhauer.  He is a humble, inspired man and interviews w/ him are always and uplifting, spiritual experience.  The Jasper elders had interviews here in Woodville too, so we all went to Subway for lunch after.  They also came over after that to help us dedicate our apt.  Then Sis. Bouwhuis and I hopped on our bikes and rode down to the library to spend an hour on mormon.org.  We rode our bikes home and met Bro. C* B* at our apts. We drove up to Warren to visit Bro. and Sis. E* and L* W*.  Bro. B* followed us in his car and visited them w/ us.  It was a powerful visit, led by the Spirit, and I was grateful to feel the Holy Ghost work through us.  As we drove back from the W*s we passed a couple of zebras in a field... we took pictures :)  We stopped by a gas station to use the restroom and ran into Sis. D* P* there and had a good visit w/ her.  We ate dinner at a little bitty country place called the BBQ-pit.  It was inexpensive and delicious and a fun experience.  Our appt. fell through up in Ivanhoe so we decided to go tracting.  We tracted into a young man named Kevin who happens to work at Subway... we'd just talked w/ him earlier that day!  He's so cool and definitely open to seeking out truth.  We had a lesson w/ him on his doorstep and are excited to continue teaching him.  We'll be taking him on a church tour tomorrow night.  We stopped by and visited the Young Womens activity at the church for a few minutes, and then went to the nursing home for our weekly visits w/ Sis. D* M* and Sis. Y* W*.  

 

     Thursday morning we attended the ladies' class at the Agape church in Colmesneil.  That's the church our friends who took us to lunch last week attend.  Everyone there was so welcoming and excited to have us there, and it was a wonderful fellowshipping opportunity.  After lunch we biked over to Bro. J* apt. and had a lesson w/ him, and then biked around to visit a handful of other potential investigators.  In the afternoon we went back to our apt. to weekly plan.... it went well once we got past our massive giggle fits.  Sis. Bouwhuis and I have so much fun together.  The G*s fed us dinner that night- pork ribs, potato salad, and baked beans w/ banana nut cake for dessert.  We had a spiritual lesson w/ them about acting upon the counsel and guidance we received from General Conference.

 

     Friday we had a wonderful zone meeting down in Beaumont.  We carpooled down there w/ the Fred and Silsbee elders in the Fred truck.  We went to lunch at New York Pizza and Pasta which was delightful.  When we got back to Woodville, we biked over to visit L* B* and then biked up to contact a referral given to us by Sis. M* O*.  The referral, her old highschool teacher was very kind and gave us his phone # so we could set an appt. to come back and share a message w/ him and his family.  We had dinner w/ the O*s that night and M* was excited hear that.  They fed us Pizza Hut pizza and yummy salad for dinner.  We had a great lesson w/ them about doing things the Lord's way.  Then we went over to visit Grampy K* O* and share that same message w/ him.  

 

    Saturday morning M* came and picked us up and we went down to the church and had a church tour w/ her.  She's so awesome and excited as she's preparing to serve a mission.  We all had a great spiritual experience during the tour and M* has committed to inviting a whole bunch of her friends to come on a tour as well.  We went over to a local bluegrass jam after that and enjoyed bbq brisket and great music.  We were invited by Bro and Sis T* and C* L*.  Sis. L* played in the jam and that was cool.  We had several good contacts while were there so it was an effective missionary opportunity, yummy lunch, and was even topped off by some homemade strawberry ice cream.  We stopped by and helped out w/ the birthday party of one of our investigators that afternoon, and then went up to dinner w/ M* family.  They fed us cowboy stew for dinner w/ banana pudding from dessert. (pudding made from scratch is definitely a new favorite!)  We had a really effective visit w/ them.  Once again I was just so grateful for the guidance and power of the Holy Ghost

. 

     Sunday we had church which was fantastic as usual, and a branch council meeting after that which went well.  We had a really effective afternoon, visiting and setting up appts. and church tours w/ potential investigators.  We had an especially awesome visit/lesson w/ J* and A* who we met here at the library a couple of weeks ago.  We are SO excited about teaching them and their awesome family.  The K*s had us over for dinner- french dip sandwiches, coleslaw, chips and butterscotch cookies for dessert.  We showed them how to navigate mormon.org to create their own profiles.  We also went over to visit and teach Sis. F* C*.  It was a really great day.  I've really loved this whole week.  We've been working hard and having fun, and feeling the Lord's hand in this work.  Being a missionary is the greatest thing ever!!!  I love you all so very much! 

 

*~Sister Pilmer~*

April 4

Howdy from Woodville, TX home of the Tyler County Dogwood Festival!

Our week started off great, getting Sis. B* settled and everything.  Monday night C* M* came to dinner w/ us at the home of Bro. and Sis. C* and M* B* and family.  They fed us yummy breakfast for dinner (including farm fresh eggs).  After dinner we enjoyed trying our hand at goat-milking and baby goat bottle feeding.  I need some more practice at the milking, but bottle feeding went pretty smoothly.  We had so much fun.  It was also great to spend some time w/ C* who left for Utah on Thursday, and goes into the MTC this Wednesday.  We had a great lesson on hope w/ the B* family, then headed to the D*'s so they could meet Sis. B* and we could have a visit and lesson w/ them. 

Tuesday morning we volunteered over at Heritage Village.  This week we weeded some flower beds, and then enjoyed lunch at the Pickett House.   We went to visit a potential investagitor we've had a hard time getting a hold of, and we were grateful to find her home.  Not only did we have a great lesson w/ her (L* B*) we also taught her friend L* too.  It was powerfully spiritual experience.  We visited a few more people include the W*s- a part-member family down in Doucette.  The M*s had us over for dinner- fried deer meat, purple-hull peas, rolls, pear pie w/ bluebell ice cream for dessert.

Wednesday we made our regular visits at the nursing home and then stopped by the library to spend our weekly hour on mormon.org- a.k.a. the coolest website ever.  We had a really awesome lunch at a place called "Behind the Red Door- Tea Room".  Sis. Lundgren and I met a woman named B* S* at Walmart a couple weeks ago and helped her out in the photo dept. She thought we were so sweet and fabulous that she wanted to feed us.  We ended up having lunch w/ her friend and her pastor- Sister J*.  We had a delightful lunch answering lots of questions and eating amazing food in a fun atmosphere.  That afternoon we went to a return appt. we set up w/ a man named D* L*.  We had an awesome lesson w/ him about the restoration and he agreed to prepare for baptism on the 30th of April.  He's really cool- keep him in your prayers :)  That night we had dinner w/ M* and B* O* family- salad, chicken spaghetti, and chocolate/strawberry cake for dessert. 

Thursday we had a really effective weekly planning session.  After finishing that up and eating a quick lunch we went to try some potential investigators and such.  We had a lesson that afternoon w/ A* L* (recent convert) about revelation and spiritually preparing for General Conference.  We also stopped by the Anders home for a visit and lesson before heading to dinner at the G*.  They fed us pasta, chicken, garlic bread, salad, and german chocolate cake. 

Friday we had district meeting out in Jasper.  Sis. Bouwhuis had a horrible headache by the time we ate lunch and got back to Woodville and I wasn't feeling well myself, so we ended up having to take a good chunk of time to rest.  The D*s had us over for burgers that night and we also stopped by Walmart to visit some people we knew would be there. 

Saturday we watched the first session of General Conference w/ the M* and B* O* family. I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE- IT'S THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!  We then went back down to Woodville for the Tyler County Dogwood Festival celebration!  There was a sweet parade and lots of booths, and we spent time visiting and contacting people.  It's pretty much the most exciting thing that happens in Woodville and we had a great time enjoying it and using it as a missionary tool.  We had dinner w/ the M* family out in Crosby Hill.  They fed us pork roast... from their own pig, home grown corn and purple hull peas, w/ sweet potato pie for dessert.  We then went over to the D*s and watched the second session of conference they recorded.  (We were at the Dogwood Festival during that time.) 

Sunday we watched the first session of Conference w/ the L* family and A*.  We joined them for their weekly "Sunday Spaghetti" before going to an appt. w/ a potential investigator.  They ended up not being there, and neither was anyone else we tried.  Then we went to watch the second session w/ the K*s who fed us pulled pork sandwiches for dinner afterwards.  It was a wonderful week filled w/ lots of little miracles. I so love Woodville, and I love being a missionary, and I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!!   I also love all of you!!!!

*~Sister Pilmer~*

March 29

Howdy from Woodville, TX where I'm delighted to be serving for the next 6 weeks! Transfers were yesterday, and Sis. Lundgren was transferred to Kingwood to serve in the 2nd Ward in a trio w/ Sis. Singleton and Sis. Brooks.  My new companion is Sis. (Courtney) Bouwhuis from Holladay, UT.  She's been out here in TX for about 6 months now.   Before coming on her mission she was attending UVU studying secondary education.  After the mission she intends to complete that degree and get a masters so she can be a principal.  She is fabulous and I'm delighted to be serving w/ her!  I'm going to miss Sis. Lundgren very much, but I know she's going to thoroughly enjoy her new companions and new area. 

 

Last Monday we had a really fun p-day.  We went up to Jasper for a district p-day.  We went and hiked down a creek (ankle-deep) and played in some mud and collected petrified wood.  (this activity was approved by our leadership)  The creek is out in the woods on the property of one of the church members in Jasper.  We also had took a picnic lunch out there purchased from Novrozsky's.  It's a burger/sandwich/yuminess place found only w/in the boundaries of our mission.  We ordered different burgers and shared- hickory burger, hickory chicken burger, fried egg burger, and last but not least peanut butter bacon burger.  The food was fun and delicious and we had so much fun playing in the woods!  That night Bro. and Sis. T* and C* L* had us over for dinner and fed us Texas Hash.  We went over to visit the C* family after that and had a great visit and lesson w/ them about the steps of the Gospel. 

 

Tuesday we went to Heritage Village to give service which was sweeping out a lot of the buildings.  Then we enjoyed lunch at the Pickett House before heading up to the nursing home of our weekly visit.  We went tracting and tried to visit several people that afternoon.  In the evening we enjoyed dinner w/ Bro and Sis. E* W* and L* O*.  They fed us pork chops w/ lots of delicious sides followed by brownies for dessert.  We also took a walk w/ Sis. O* down to "Grampy" K* O*'s home to bring him some food and visit. Then we went back to their home and had a great lesson about the blessings of listening to the prophet and such. After that we went to visit Bro. and Sis. M* and B* O* and had a great visit w/ them. 

 

Wednesday we got up bright and early and went to the Houston Temple for an endowment session!!!  I love it so much there :)  We rode down w/ the M* family and attended the session w/ C* M* who just received her endowments last Friday in preparation to leave on her mission.  We love Carrie so much, and it was such a great experience to share that w/ her.  We went to Pancho's Mexican buffet on the way home which is a rather magically delicious Mexican restaurant.  That evening we went to the M* home for dinner which included yummy homemade granola bars.  It was a really uplifting effective dinner appt.  After dinner we stopped by "Papa" and Sis. S*s home and had a great little lesson w/ them. 

 

Thursday we did weekly planning in the morning, and then went to visit several people.  We got in contact w/ a less-active member that afternoon who told us that she wants to start coming back to church and that 9 yr. old daughter wants us to teach her the lessons and be baptized.  We're pretty excited for them :)  We had dinner w/ the G* family that night and they fed us some great stir fry w/ banana pudding for dessert.

 

Friday we had adventures w/ our car not working, so C* had to come rescue us and take us to our appt. at the church at 9 a.m..  We were a little late, but it worked out.  We had district meeting after that, and then went to lunch at Elijah's Cafe.  The elders then helped us evaluate and test out our car issues (while on the phone w/ our vehicle coordinator).  We already needed to an oil change that day, so we took it in and also had them do some diagnostic testing.  Our car is drivable, but still having some issues.  Elder Tolman (vehicle coordinator) is helping us get it figured out.  That afternoon we spent some time at F* and D*'s and then came to the library to spend some time on mormon.org.  We went tracting out by a lake in Colmesneil and got eaten alive by mosquitoes.  The S*s fed us smoked ribs for dinner and we had a really good visit w/ Sis. S*. 

 

Saturday morning we did some service cleaning at Heritage Village.  We then headed down by the county courthouse for the Western Weekend portion of the Tyler County Dogwood Festival.  We watched an awesome horse parade, had delicious BBQ sandwiches and were able to contact and talk w/ lots of people in the community.  It was GREAT :)  That evening we had dinner w/ Bro and Sis M* and B* O* who fed us awesome taco salad (after we petted and visited E* and M* O*'s horses).  We headed to the L* home after that to join the Young Women in our branch in watching the general Young Women broadcast.  It was so very wonderful.  We got the call that night notifying us that Sis. Lundgren would be transferred Monday. 

 

Sunday we had a branch council meeting before church.  Church was super great, particularly because C* and her family spoke in Sacrament Mtg.  She leaves for Utah on Thursday and goes into the Missionary Training Center on April 6th.  We had a branch pot luck dinner following our meetings and it was lots of fun and lots of good food.  It was a good opportunity for Sis. Lundgren to give hugs and visit before leaving too.  We spent some time in the afternoon allowing her to pack, and we visited lots of investigators and such so she could say goodbye.  Sis. S* O* fed us homemade shrimp etouffe for dinner.  It was an EXCELLENT week!!!

 

I love you all!  Write lots :) 

 

*~Sister Pilmer~*

March 21

Howdy from Woodville where the Lord is guiding and blessing us every day!

Monday we were able to go join missionaries from a couple of zones and play a whole bunch of ultimate frisbee and other fun things. It was super fun to be around so many missionaries- especially Sisters! We have no other sisters in our zone, and only one set in the neighboring zone we do activities w/. That was lots of fun, and a good opportunity for Sis. Lundgren and I to relax. We also got help Sis. Moldenhauer do some needed shopping at Sams' Club. Pres. Moldenhauer was grateful to not have to that. It was fun and reminded me of running errands w/ my own awesome mom. While at the mission home we also took walks w/ Sis. Moldenhauer every evening, and most of the time Pres. Moldenhauer came too. They have some awesome golf courses and roads in the area that make walks really nice and fun. Monday night I learned how to make chicken pockets w/ Sis. Moldenhauer and that's what we had for dinner- delicious :)

Tuesday we got up early and went up to Liberty, TX to a leadership training. Usually sisters only get to go if they're training a new missionary, but we got invited just because we're loved and it was really really cool. We helped Sis. Moldenhauer prepare breakfast for the missionaries, too. We had to leave Tuesday's training early to meet up w/ a counselor that's helping Sis. Lundgren out. He's a really great guy, and an EXCELLENT counselor. We were able to spend some time in the afternoon working in Fall Creek (Sis. Lundgren's old area). It was pretty effective and nice to be able to do some work. Sis. Moldenhauer fed us spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.

Wednesday we went to the second day of training. Since we didn't have to leave early that day, we rode up w/ Pres. and Sis. Moldenhauer and the assistants to the president, Elders O'Conner and Hoffman. It was a fun ride and we were treated to breakfast at Happy Donuts on the way there- so yummy. We once again helped Sis. Moldenhauer put out breakfast for the other missionaries and set up for the training. We learned so much at the training and really felt the Spirit. It was just so good for us. We ran a few errands on the way back to Kingwood, mostly for the mission office, but also for me. Sis. Moldenhauer had found out earlier in the week that I'd been wanting to go to Cavender's or Baskin's and buy myself some sweet TX boots, but that I hadn't had time or opportunity to do so. So, she sought out the nearest location for me :) We dropped of the elders and Sis. Moldenhauer at Pappasito's close by so they could get us a table for dinner. (Elder O'Conner will go back to being a regular missionary for his last 6 weeks, and the Moldenhauers like to take the assistants out to dinner at the end of their time serving as assistants.... we just got invited to come since we were living at the mission home) President drove us over to Cavender's where he stayed in the car convinced that Sis. Lundgren and I would not need assistants picking out cowboy boots. In less than 20 minutes I'd picked out and purchased the perfect pair of boots, and had a gospel conversation w/ 3 of the employees (with Sis. Lundgren's help of course!). We joined the others back at Pappasito's where we still had to wait a little while. It was worth it though. They were having a special on fajita's which were delicious and we had way too much fun talking and laughing over dinner. Despite being very full and very tired when we got home, we still went on our nightly walk :)

Thursday we went to a dr. appt. for Sis. Lundgren to follow up on a surgery she had a couple of months ago and verify how connected her current anxiety issues may be to that. We also ran a couple more errands w/ Sis. Moldenhauer, included buying my fancy new bike seat. After eating leftover fajita's for lunch and having a good visit w/ the Moldenhauers we headed back to Woodville. That night Brother D* G* was baptized and it was a completely wonderful service and so very exciting and fun to experience. I feel privileged to know the G*s and have them as my friends. Recent Convert J* J* also came to the baptism which was SO good since he's been strugglin lately. Elder Serdar who baptized J* was also in attendance, so that was a little miracle too! We had chicken spaghetti for dinner at the G*s after the baptism.

Friday we had district mtg. which was really awesome. After the mtg. we grabbed lunch at Subway and took the elders over to have lunch and share a message w/ J*. It was really uplifting for him. After that Elder Hakes, put on my new bike seat and adjusted it a couple of times. I tested it around the parking lot and it seems to be good, but we haven't taken a real ride yet to really find out. Should be fun :) The Elders had to hang around Woodville waiting for prescription so we took them to our visits at the nursing home as well. We did some tracting that afternoon w/ some pretty cool miracles, and then visited C* and L* B* before heading to dinner w/ Bro. and Sis. R* and D* L*. They fed us brisket and corn and broccoli slaw :) Sis. L* also cut my hair while we were there. It desperately needed a trim and some re-shaping, and we didn't get to have her do it on P-day since we were out of town. It turned out cute and feels really good :)

Saturday we gave a church tour to Sis. M* M* when the investigator who was supposed to have one didn't show up. We spent some time on mormon.org, had miracles running into investigators who really needed our help, and went to a little party at Sis. K*'s home to fellowship w/ some sisters in the ward and some of Sis. Kethan's non-member friends. We went tracting in the afternoon and had dinner w/ the H*s in the evening (homemade fried chicken).

Church was great on Sunday- Brother J* J* came too, which was awesome. We visited lots of people during the day and also did some weekly planning we didn't get to do earlier in the week. The K*s fed us lasagna for dinner and we had a great spiritual visit w/ them.

Sister Lundgren is doing much better, but we're still working hard to make sure she continues to do so. I'm so grateful for her faith and example and I love her to pieces! Your prayers and support are so greatly appreciated! I love you all!!!!

*~Sister Pilmer~*

March 14

Howdy from Kingwood,TX where I feel completely blessed even though it's a little odd to not be in Woodville.  We've been here in the mission home since Saturday afternoon.  My sweet companion, Sis. Lundgren, has run into a major roadblock of anxiety- the serious kind caused by a chemical imbalance.  She's dealt w/ it a little bit since she came to Woodville, but has been able to work through it and handle it w/ positive thinking and hard work.  This past week though it took a major turn for the worse w/ lots of ups and downs.  We've worked hard together to do everything we can to keep her well and keep the Lord's working moving forward.  Saturday things got really bad though (at least bigger than we could handle), and Sis. Moldenhauer (who has been in the loop and supportive and helpful all along) decided we should pack up a few things and come to the mission home for at least a few days.  It's been really good for Sis. Lundgren and we're getting her the help she needs as soon as possible.  Pres. and Sis. Moldenhauer have been so supportive and loving.  I'm so grateful for them.  Sis. Lundgren is such an inspiring example to me of faith and diligence!  She's just AMAZING and regardless of the challenges we're currently dealing w/, I'm so grateful to have her as my companion.  I learn so much from her. 

 

Monday of this week was pretty fun as far as zone p-day goes.  We played ultimate frisbee and softball and had a great time.  That night our branch president and his family had us over for dinner.  They fed us shepherd's pie which was delicious and we had a great time.  According to my planner we went and taught someone else after, but my planner doesn't tell me who and I can't remember, but I'm sure it was great. 

 

Tuesday morning we visited a few people including the S*s- a sweet part-member couple.  We grabbed some lunch and then rode down to Beaumont w/ Sis. D* where I met w/ Dr. Stovall for a follow-up.  Still no real news, but that's alright at this point.  I feel really okay about everything.  The M*s fed us dinner that night- fried chicken, salad, garlic rolls, and DELICIOUS Italian Creme Cake for dessert.  .

 

Wednesday we got out on our bikes in the morning.  We decided (w/ Sis. Moldenhauer's help) that it would be good to get out in the sunshine and be active and be effective in talking w/ lots of people.  It was very effective and pretty fun and the first time I've actually done it on the mission.  (In case I hadn't mentioned it before, I got Sis. Frazier's bike when she went home.)  Unfortunately I kind of really bruised/injured myself on my less-than-ideal bike seat.  I'm just about healed now and will be getting a really good bike seat from a shop here in Kingwood.  We plan to do plenty more biking when we get back to Woodville.  We rode our bikes out the the Jr. High / Highschool where we had lunch w/ recent convert A* H*.  That was fun.  In the evening we went to Sis. R* F*'s home and learned how to make delicious egg rolls for dinner.  After dinner, we met up w/ President Livingston (branch pres) at the church for to talk over some things.  He also gave Sis. Lundgren a priesthood blessing.  We are very grateful for such an awesome branch president.  I once again know we did something great after that, but can't remember what. 

 

Thursday we did weekly planning at the church, but it was broken up by a delightful school lunch w/ A*'s little sister D* H* at the elementary school.  It was "friends day" at the elementary and she invited us.  We gave D* her first very own copy of the Book of Mormon w/ our testimonies written in the back.  She was so excited.  After planning, all of our plans and back-up plans fell through so we just started tracting a "random" area that I'd tracted before but that nobody was home or at least answered.  There wasn't lots of people home this time around, but there was a few really great people, one of which we are VERY excited about.  Her name is L* B* and she has investigated the church before.  We'd actually been trying to find her at another address, and it was a miracle to find her here.  She's really excited to start learning again.

 

Friday we had district mtg. in Woodville.  Pres. and Sis. Moldenhauer came and joined us which was fun.  We were able to have good visits w/ them after about Sis. Lundgren's situation, and that was very good too.  Our afternoon involved visiting several people- all good stuff.  We had dinner w/ S*s who fed us tacos/taco salad. 

 

Saturday- all the major stuff was covered in the beginning of my email.

 

Sunday we went to church at the Kingwood 2nd ward.  It was different to be in such a large ward w/ so many children.  It was also different to just attend church and not have a million responsibilities.  The Moldenhauers are taking great care of us.  Keep Sis. Lundgren in your prayers!  We'll probably be here until at least Wednesday.  Send Mail!  but for this week send it to the mission office address. 

 

I love y'all sooooo much!!!!

 

*~Sister Pilmer~*

March 7

Howdy from Woodville where the Holy Ghost is leading us to miracles every day!  I'm actually sending this email from the Silsbee library for those of you who care to know that.  We're having a zone p-day in Vidor today (combined Orange and Beaumont zones), and we're riding down w/ the Fred elders, so we're emailing in Silsbee on our way to Vidor. 

On Monday I had a second appt. w/ the urologist.  For those who have expressed curiosity, I have no issues w/ informing you that those appts. were to follow up on blood being found in urine samples during my hospital stay.  Just to rule everything out, they want to verify my bladder was fine... that has now been verified.  There's nothing wrong w/ my bladder.  For those of you who didn't want that information, my apologies.  After the Dr., we went by the elders' house and hung out for a little bit, tossed the football, enjoyed "bagel burgers"- one of Elder Wittner's most delicious concoctions.  Afterwards we drove back to Woodville, and all the way out to Odomville where we enjoyed spaghetti w/ Bro. and Sis. E* W* and L* O*.  There shared a cool video w/ us about the establishment and growth of the church in this area.  That was cool.  We went to the D*'s to share a message and to eat Habanero peppers.  Anyone who knows me well is probably shocked that I would eat a Habenero of my own free will and choice... me too.... but I did it.  It was horrible.  It was worth the handmade stone knife Bro. D* will be making for me though :)  That's a bribe he offers all the missionaries- Sis. Lundgren and I accepted the challenge. 

On Tuesday we gave our typical weekly service at Heritage Village.  We did some sweeping and polishing and cleaning in a few of the buildings.  We also enjoyed our usual fried chicken lunch at the Pickett House.  That afternoon we tried some former investigators and had some success in doing so.  A* and H* H* had us over for dinner (spagehetti again) and we enjoyed a lesson w/ them on putting the Lord first.  After the H*'s we stopped by to visit Sis. D* P*.  We shared "the John Tanner Story" dvd w/ her and she loved it. 

Wednesday we visited the nursing home, spent time on mormon.org, did some tracting and visiting- all good stuff :)  We went out to Crosby Hill in the afternoon and had a good visit w/ Papa Segrest and his sweet wife.  We also went to see N* B and A* M* (less-active member and her 12 yr. old non-member, daughter)  We taught them how to play Phase 10, and they really enjoyed it, especially A*.  I won, but barely.  N* B's husband D* came home just as we were finishing and we had a lesson w/ all of them on Pres. Uchtdorf's talk "Of Things That Matter Most".  By the time we finished I had a killer migraine and we went home to eat dinner... I went straight to my bed and crashed and was in so much pain I didn't even get up and put pj's on until midnight. 

Thursday I felt much better.  We had an effective weekly planning session and then went out visiting potential investigators and tracting.  We had a lesson w/ D* at 3- a highschool aged young man who had investigated the church in the past.  He's pretty shy, but very curious and the lesson went well.  Then we went up to Ivanhoe and had a lesson w/ recent convert A* L* about goal setting and mission prep.  That kid rocks and will be a great missionary.  We had dinner w/ the A*s and the O*s.  It was Sis. M* A*s' birthday and she made egg rolls, chicken fried rice and chocolate lava cake- so yummy! 

Friday we had district meeting out in Jasper, so we spent some time in Dam B/Town Bluff making visits on the way back.  We had a lesson w/ highschooler C* at 5.  She's an AMAZING girl, and we're really excited to be teaching her.  The G* family fed us yummy taco soup for dinner w/ amazing german chocolate pie for dessert. 

Saturday we visited lots of potential investigators and less-actives in the morning and early afternoon.  We had a long, but effective day. (time is almost up)

Sunday was great because church was great, and we were able to do a lot of effective tracting.  The K*s fed us for

sorr I didn't finish

February 28

Howdy from Woodville, TX where Spring seems to have really arrived and I love it! 

 

Monday was P-day as usual. (aside from the library being closed so we didn't email 'til Tues.)  We went to Beaumont in the morning for a Dr. appt, after which we went over to the elders' house.  We hung out w/ them on the front porch and enjoyed crepes made by Elder Wittner.  Then we came back to Woodville to get groceries and get our apt. clean and such.  We had dinner w/ the Durr's that night, after which C* M* took us to an appt. in Doucette.  Our investigator wasn't there, so C* drove us all around Doucette and Colmesneil trying to locate former investigators.  We found the addresses of a couple, and talked to people there, but all of the actual people we were looking for had moved or were asleep.  We had some quality contacts in the process and will be following up that. 

 

Tuesday we gave service at Heritage Village like we do most Tuesdays.  This time we spent a couple hours sweeping out and polishing the wood in the wood in the old "Cherokee Church".  We enjoyed lunch at the Pickett House- Sis. Lundgren's first time- which we enjoyed.  After emailing we visited Sis. J* S* down at the courthouse where she works, and also visited w/ some of her co-workers we'd contacted previously.  That afternoon we had a lesson w/ C* S*, which went well.  She's since determined that she doesn't want to investigate any further at this time.  It was really sad to hear, but we appreciate it when people are up front w/ us.  We spent some time tracting and visiting former investigators.  We were supposed to have a lesson w/ D* at the church, but he got sick so instead we picked him up some Sprite and chicken soup and stopped by w/ C* to check on him.  He's still making an effort and spiritually progressing, but he's been sick most of the week, and that's slowed things down. 

 

Wednesday we spent time on mormon.org and visited at the nursing home as usual.  After lunch we visited lots of people including investigators, less-active members, active members, and former investigators.  We were asked to be in charge of Young Womens that night, and to give them a church tour.  The girls had a really great spiritual experience, and we all had a lot of fun.  After YW we went to Bro. and Sis. R* and D* L* for dinner where we enjoyed pot roast, cabbage, potatoes, and chocolate cake w/ Bluebell ice cream for dessert.  It was Bro. L*'s birthday, so it was fun to celebrate w/ them and share a message :)

 

Thursday we spent a few hours weekly planning and then went out to find and teach the Lord's children.  We had a lesson w/ D* who is really skeptical about our message, but loves the Lord.  We know if he's willing to pray w/ sincerity and real intent, he'll find out for himself.  We visited w/ R* S* who lives w/ a less-active member (both of them are SO sweet).  They've gone some things to straighten out before she could ever be baptized, but she told us that what she really wants, so we're going to do what we can to help her.  The G*s fed us dinner that night which was yummy meatloaf, w/ strawberry cake for dessert because Sis. G* knows I love strawberries.  After dinner we went to an appt., but they weren't there so we went to walmart to visit w/ T* who we knew was working.  She's so fabulous, but is totally overwhelmed w/ life right now.  She lives at the address of a former investigator so we met her earlier in the week and we just love her and are so excited to teach and help her. 

 

Friday was great, but I'm editing out details for lack of time.  Most exciting thing that day was that C* M* got her mission call to California San Jose mission- WOOT!!!!!!  We're so excited for her. 

 

Saturday we went to the stake Cobbler and Chili cookoff in Silsbee.  It was all kinds of fun, though we were sad D* didn't make it even though he tried.  I ran into old family friends like the Pontius family, the Springer family, and Pres. Eric Petersen.  They all said to say hi to the parents and fam- so hello from them!  

 

It's time to go, but the rest of the week was great and I love being a missionary!!! I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

*~Sister Pilmer~*