Dear Family (Mom)
Well This week has been fabulous,
well at least Saturday and Sunday were haha. Sister Barkdull has been sick this
week, which I really felt bad for her. We called the nurse lady in the mission
and she said that she needed to take Excedrin, cause it is a headache that
Sister Barkdull has, but sister Barkdull won't take the right dose cause she hates
caffeine and doesn't want to take it. The nurse on the phone today said, if you
need to go you can go to the doctor, but since you have not been taking the
right dose, and you don't sound sick, then I would say don't go until you start
taking the right dose. Anyways things are going better now.
I will now actually talk about my
week haha. So this week we taught Tony and Deena the law of Chastity, I
realized that it came up in some conversations. Everyone else has talked to
them about it, except us! So we decided it was about time for them to hear it,
and to be honest I was scared out of my mind because I knew when the bishop
talked to them they got really offended so I didn't want to offend them. We
taught them it and it went super well, but when we committed them to living it
of course they said "No" They did say they are planning on getting
married soon though, so hopefully it really is soon. After the lesson about 20
minutes later they called us up and said they felt bad saying no and so they
asked for a different commitment. We figured a commitment of some sort was
better than none at all, so we committed them to purposeful prayer, and really
focusing on your prayers and also reading more of their scriptures, which they
have slacked on a little since school has started up, but they said they would
read a lot more, and they have. On Friday we had a potluck dinner and they were
there and were discussing what they read with us. We were so happy they showed
up.
A part member family, the Smiths
that we have been working with also showed up! Jacob Smith joined about 6 years
ago with his ex-wife, then he got re married to a non-member who is atheist,
but I know she is not atheist anymore, we have been teaching her and they are
just the sweetest, they have like 7 kids combined, it's nuts. Their littlest
son James, who is both of theirs, he is 2. Every time we go to their house he
is jumping all over us and climbing on us, and he is the biggest little flirt!
haha we try not to let him jump and climb on us, and they stop him also
but he still does haha. Also a super less active (not active) Louie who used to
live in 2nd ward just moved in to our ward, he joined cause of his wife but has
not been to church since 2004, and him and his wife just went through a very
nasty divorce. He showed up to our potluck! Which was huge because he has not
been to anything with our church since 2004. Anyways when it was time for the
food, which was so yummy, it was pulled pork sandwiches. We were talking to
Deena about the Women's expo, that was happening that weekend and then about 5
minutes later in line for food they gave us 10 bucks to pay for us to go to the
expo! That we so nice. So we ended up going and we got to talk to 9 people,
about the gospel, and not like just a "hi I'm a missionary" but we
had at least a 5 -10 minutes conversation with them about the church. It was
super fun and so productive. One girl after we said who we were said "Oh
so you're Christian." I was so happy that she recognized that we were
Christians!!! She was Lutheran and asked what the difference were , and we
talked about living prophets and how God loves all his children, so he
gives us a living prophet to guide us today just like there were prophets in
the bible. She got this grin on her face and said "that makes so much
sense!" and she took our number. We were about to set up an
appointment but her mom grabbed her away. The girl was like 17; she was so
curious though and gave us huge hugs haha.
After the expo we then filled up the
font! I love filling the font. Carla's baptism was amazing! It started at
6, but Carla showed up at 5:30 with her mom and sister Evelyn, they look so
much alike, and they all dress totally normal, even though they are polygamist.
They are so nice!!! Oh my goodness. Then Carla tried on the jumpsuit, it was
funny she refused to get a ugly white jumpsuit picture, and we told her it was
tradition, and she was like I will never have a picture of me in this, but
after you can get a picture haha. So I don't have any pictures like that, I
just have one with her in her normal church clothes. Then her sister in law
Addie showed up with her kids, she is a member she is from Bountiful actually,
and her husband who is Carlas brother is a convert. Then Carla's other brother
(different one) Clayton who was baptized a year ago showed up with his fiancée
Elise who is also a member. Clayton baptized Carla. I know every time I talk
about a baptism I say how spiritual it is, but this one was like times 10! It
was so spiritual and amazing. I said the opening prayer and then the bishop talked
about baptism, and then Clayton baptized Carla, and it was so sweet! It was his
first time baptizing someone. I loved seeing her come out of the water, with a
bright light surrounding her, it happens every time; they physically have a brightness,
a light about them. After the baptism while they were changing Sister Barkdull
and I taught the restoration (tell Brian thanks for that) it went amazing! The
spirit was so strong, and her mom and sister were holding hands and I knew they
felt the spirit, even though they believe in the restoration also, I
could tell they felt a little different than when they normally hear it. I
seriously would not be surprised if Carla's mom joins the church and her
sister. After we taught the restoration then there was a talk on the Holy Ghost
by Elise (Clayton's fiancée) and it was good, and then Clayton confirmed her a
member of the church and blessed her with the Holy Ghost. The blessing was not
very elaborate, but simple and beautiful, exactly what was meant to be said.
The spirit was so strong. Carla was crying, she cried pretty much the whole
time, but then when she gave him a hug after the confirmation I seriously was
about to cry, it was so tender, I heard him whisper to her "I am proud of
you." No one could deny the spirit in the room, it was so powerful. After
the program I gave her a hug and we talked to her family. A lot of people also
commented about how we taught the first lesson and how powerful it was and how
smart we were to do that. Brother Stephenson said "Why do missionaries not
normally do that, that was the smartest thing, it is the best opportunity
to teach others about the gospel and bring the spirit so strong before the
confirmation." (So make sure Brian knows that his idea was like the best
idea on the planet, and I did give him the credit. I told people my brother
told me about it.)
They invited us over for soup. So we
went over and had soup. We got pictures of us :) and they are great! haha Carla
is seriously the cutest girl ever! We then pretty much talked to Elise and
Clayton the rest of the time, haha we talked to them about how they met, and
dang she went after him like a lot, but I loved his wording he said "she
chased me until I caught her" awwww hahaha how cute, anyways it was fun talking
with them. While we were talking, Carla's mom cut up an apple from the tree in
their yard back home and had us eat it haha, she wanted us to try it and dang
it was amazing! So yummy. Carla is a very reserved person so it was nice seeing
her being completely being herself with her family.
At church yesterday right when we
walked in Brother Eyring, who is like the 1st counselor asked if I would bear
my testimony. I was so happy for that opportunity cause Tony and Deena was
there so I knew I wanted to bear my testimony on temples and also Carla's mom
was there so I also wanted to bear it on the priesthood. I was so happy to have
that chance. I was also a little worried cause in Big Fork when I bore my
testimony not even three days later I was transferred, so I hope this isn't
like a sign that I will be transferred haha. Carla's mom totally came to all
the meeting and participated! It was great! Oh and me and Sister Barkdull
taught relief society about missionary work also!! Of course we didn't really
go with the manual. Anyways me and you (mom) totally had a similar lesson then
haha.
OH!!!! also we got a voice mail from
President Mecham and in the message he said that we have been chosen as a
pilot mission for MINI I PADS!!!!! How legit is that! Me and sister
Barkdull literally screamed! and jumped up and down! We are getting mini
ipads!!! WE are so stinking excited!!!! Anyways that is it. I love you all and
I am thinking of you :) please send me some pics and letters I miss hearing
from all of you I love getting a break in the week with a letter, it really helps
:) i love you , especially you mom :)
-love andrea :)
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