Hey y'all,
This week was something else! From 4 zone conferences, to walking a few miles with this lady carrying all of her groceries, to helping a total Redneck family move and everything in between I would say it was a fantastic week!
We were able to attend the zone conferences this week and feel the special spirit at all of them. It was great instructing on the power to change as well, and interesting that truly when we prepare a message to share, or a talk or something that we are the ones that seem to get the most out of it I think. The goal is to share it with everyone, but I felt like it was directed at me and striving to improve. We shared the story of Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah in Mosiah 27-28 and how they were given the opportunity to change and become disciples of Jesus Christ. Vs. 4 "And they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature." It gave me the chance to think about how forgiving Heavenly Father is and how when we apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives that we can continuously change and our desire to share that same love with others increases.
I wanted to share one other miracle story from Zone Conference. A sister missionary in the mission had so sadly lost her father, grandpa, and aunt/uncle during the course of her mission so far and in all three different accidents. Even with the terrible tragedy, she was able to see the miracles. She shared of how her testimony was strengthened that Heavenly Father does leave traces and signs of his divinity and plan even if we might not know the reason behind everything. Her aunt and uncle died in a p lane crash on the interstate in Utah and everything in the plane burned to ashes except a few items that were entirely untouched without any sign of a fire: the missionary scriptures from her uncles mission, his missionary name tag, and a temple recommend. The rest of the wallet was in ashes. A semi truck drove passed and everything inside melted, but a set of scriptures, a plastic name tag, and a plastic temple recommend that was inside the plane were the only items left untouched? hmm. I know that this is the Lord's work and I am so grateful to be here in his service. This was a testimony to me that He really is mindful of us and especially his missionaries. It touched my heart, and I couldn't be more sure that it is because Heavenly Father wants us to know that he is there and he has a plan for each and everyone of us. I have the biggest struggle every week trying to describe in words how much I love my mission. I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and I hope y'all can know how happy I am to be here. Thank you so much for supporting me.
Miracle: While on exchanges here in Baton Rouge I was able to go with a newer missionary, Elder Cate. Everything seemed to fall through in the morning, but that only meant something was going to come :) We ended up seeing this lady walking down the street with groceries in her hands and decided to offer to help her. We ended up walking a couple miles with her carrying her groceries and taught almost the entire restoration lesson! She told us that she is moving to Denham springs and is looking for a church to go to, and when we told her the church she said that she already had someone tell her to go to the LDS church!! She said it must be a sign from God that she needs to go there :) That was super awesome!
We then met with Sheryl later that day and taught the Restoration lesson to her 2 daughters!!!! All of Sheryl's three grandkids were there and her daughters, Brittney and Nyeesha. It was so cool, because Sheryl has been praying for the opportunity to share the gospel with her family and bore a powerful testimony to them. The daughters told us that when the sisters came they felt a genuine spirit and felt that same spirit when we shared the message :D no pressure at all haha. They are so great, and are going to read and pray about the message!
REDNECK move:
This non-member lady Tracy got our number from some friends or something and asked if we could help her move some furniture. Once we got there it wasn't long before we realized how redneck these folks were haha. And the neighbor, lemme tell ya, that was something when he came over. LOL Let's just say you know you're helping a bunch of rednecks when everyone other than you and your companion are packing heat haha. Like literally everyone had a pistol tucked in the back of their pants. (Almost like I had daggers on my back) I guess you never know here in Louisiana especially during broad daylight moving furniture haha, I mean what if one of them doesn't fire or something? ;)
"Be prepared kids." And I can attest that I was prepared to duck in cover as quick as possible haha. Another piece of evidence of rednecks: We moved this piece of furniture over to the neighbors and find this big dresser placed in front of the front door inside. Now I know why no one in Louisiana answers their front door and why there is a doorbell in the garages haha. Front doors are such a waste of space anyways! It was hilarious as well because I was bringing a piece of furniture outside and Elder Hoopes was just a few seconds behind me, and so I got out the front door to see Dave holding a Rifle pointing at the ground and firing it multiple times, however, Elder Hoopes walks out holding a box full of bullets and only hears the firing hahahaha you can imagine that. He almost lost his britches. It was so funny! We just knew we weren't getting out of there without hearing at least one gun shot LOL :D They then made us some delicious southern delectables aka tons of meat. They definitely know how to eat that is for sure. I love Louisiana, because whatever the project may be there is always going to be food. Whether that is washing your cat, helping your neighbors, or moving furniture you can pretty much guarantee that you will spend just as much time if not more time eating than actually working :) Bless their hearts! And not to mention the time planning what you are going to eat, than accomplishing the project hehe.
Sorry for the long email, but it was such a great week! Hope everyone has an awesome Halloween and stays blessed!!
Love,
Elder Wilson
