Alright! (Literally the answer to every question down here in Louisiana)
This week was pretty crazy with transfers and everything, but it was great regardless! I started my second transfer and I am still being trained by Elder Glissmeyer. This has been his first area and he has been here for almost 8 months now haha so he was all packed up ready to roll out, but he is staying another bless his heart! Last P-day the Bishop down here took several of us missionaries on a Swamp Tour!!! It was legit! We got to see a bunch of Alligators and Nutria rats and what not. I even got to hold a 4 foot long alligator in my hands. Man those things are cool and tender. The tour guide taped the alligator's mouth shut so we were safe :) Some pretty neat photos coming as soon as I find a way to send them!
We were able to teach quite a few new investigators this week. A couple of our investigators are a little difficult to teach, because it is hard to know if they are really comprehending the message that we share (either from education level or mental issues). Sometimes it seems like they are really understanding, but other times it is completely the opposite. I guess it has definitely given me the chance to slow down and try to teach in a way that allows the spirit to do most of the teaching. I truly believe that this is an essential part of teaching especially in the area that I am in. It has been great though to continue teaching John, the Mormon Helping Hands recipient. He has been really open to learn about the origin of the Book of Mormon and how it adds to the Bible. He has a bit of a Word of Wisdom problem that we can see (and smell haha), but I am hoping that as we continue teaching him that he will have the desire to clean his life up a bit.
We were able to meet up with our investigator Charles Taylor again this week. He has been super busy with work lately, but he told us that we could come and help him with some service. We ended up breaking down a brick wall and digging a trench for him. He was extremely thankful for us helping him and I am hoping that this will help encourage him to want to take the lessons. He told us afterward that he would find a time, hopefully this week, to sit down with us so that we could share a message with him. While doing service for him we were able to work with a few other guys that were friends with Charles. They asked us all about the Church and told us they are always open to learn more about coming closer to Christ. That was great to get a few more potential investigators from our service. Overall, it was a really great service project, because we were able to help Charles and meet a few new people that had never heard about our Church before.
We also had a really great turn out at Church yesterday. Three of our recent converts that haven't come to Church in like 3 months all came. 2 of them have been struggling with smoking again and so haven't felt worth to come to Church. The lessons that were taught were incredibly spot on with what they needed to hear I think. One of the classes was specifically focused on how we can overcome our challenges and addictions through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The idea that we all slip up every once in a while, but that we just need to keep pushing forward and be better tomorrow than we were today because Christ went through it for us. We aren't alone. The teacher was from the stake and so I know he wasn't aware of the challenges that these recent converts were facing. He was definitely guided by the spirit.
I am super excited for General Conference this week!! Hope everyone has a wonderful week! Thanks for your love and support. I love y'all!
Love,
Elder Wilson
