Blackout's, M & M and Father's Day!!

June 20, 2016

Hey Family,

So this week has been pretty crazy and busy. So to start off, events have happened and we are not meeting with Sammy and Sir anymore. We aren't sure about all the information quite yet but hopefully we can get it figured out. All we know is that they are gone and pray God watches over them. This information has kind of put a damper on things and so know we are just starting over to find those ready to hear of the gospel.

So President is wanting us to change our meeting times for Wednesday to 1 instead of 10:30. There are so many changes going on but knowing that it is for the good of the mission. So we were able to go help out at St. Vincent's which always makes me happy. I love serving others and help lighten their load. After we went to our meeting and was able to talk about finding people and how to help them progress. It was a really good meeting and was able to learn a lot. Then we were able to set up for our scripture study class and praying that people would come. We had about 3 members come and we got to go over 1 Nephi 17 which it talks about when Nephi is commanded to build a ship. And it is just amazing how mush faith Nephi had to build a ship and to have the Lord guide him. Also a cool thing that happened while reading, a member read verse 13, "And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you..." (Jesus is talking). And the member messed up on a word. She said always instead of also, and I really like that because Jesus will always be our light and he will always be there for us.

So waking up on Thursday, my mind was full of emotion and couldn't really pin-point what was wrong.Then I went to the restroom to compose myself and I was over come by emotion and tears. I then felt the impression to get on my knees and to say a pray. So I got on my knees and talked with my Heavenly Father, I asked him for help and for peace and comfort. I just knelt there pouring my heart and soul to Him and after I was overcome with comfort and a warmth that felt like a hug. Later I asked the elders for a priesthood blessing for the comfort a blessing brings and the elders don't fully understand what I am going through. But when they gave that blessing, things that were said had answered my prayers and knowing that my Heavenly Father does hear me. I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayer and he is always there for us. He never forgets us even though sometimes we forget Him. He is our great Father that has placed us on this earth and has made this great plan of happiness for us. We our His children and he loves all of us. Oh how great to have a Father like that! I was so very grateful for the blessing and also that we have the priesthood on the earth.

So for Friday's focus was to go out and find people so we went to Wal-Mart and the mall because that is where almost everyone is going to be on a Friday. We didn't have much luck at Wal-Mart, so went and had some lunch at Taco Bell and hopefully running into Ariel. We caught her right when she got in and I was able to talk with her for a min and she was telling me that she doesn't have to work on Saturday so I invited her to the M&M night that we are having. I don't think I have mentioned that yet. Well at the M&M night, we are going to have milkshakes and watch a movie, Meet the Mormons. We have been inviting a lot of people to that and hopefully we can give a couple church tours. Well, when I told her about it, she said that sounds like a lot of fun and I told her to bring some friends and she said she would. So we pray that she can make it with her friends. Then we got to go to the mall and there was a bunch of people there which is good. We walked around and then would sit on benches to talk with people. We got to talk to this couple for a good minute just about there life and what church they attend. We invited them to the M&M night and they said they might be able to make it. Then a group of 6 kids came and sat down and they are all pretty funny kids. We talked a little bit and asked if they liked free milkshakes and we invited them to the M&M night. So we pray that everyone we invited comes.

After we wanted to try and talk to Sherry and when we drove by her home she was there. She came outside and we got to visit with her. She has been having a hard time with a co-worker and we talked about how this is a trial in her life. While we were talking, the story "God is the Gardner" came to mind, so I brought it out and was able to go over it and Sherry really liked that. We go through trials because God knows what He wants us to become and those trials help shape us. Then we talked about praying and I was able to share the experience I had had the day before, and while I was sharing it, I could see tears in Sherry's eyes. And I told her that God loves her and hears her prayers and you could see that she really needed to hear this message. We could all feel the spirit and the love of God in our lives. In a way, we all needed to hear this.

Then we got to go over to Sister Washington's for FHE. We had a great meal and good conversation, then Sister Washington gave the lesson. We read from Luke 1 where it is talking about when the angel appears to Mary. The main thing that we learned is that we belong to a family and Heavenly Father is at the head of it. Also Sister Washington pointed out something that I never really noticed. In verse 28, "And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured..." she pointed out that the word "Hail" is like the ice which falls from heaven. I thought that that was great and how we all came from our Heavenly Father in heaven. Then we got to sing songs after and that was a lot of fun. Sister Washington has a really great voice and loves singing gospel songs which are great. It was a really good Family Home Evening.

Then we decided to go home for some reason and get things set up for the M&M night. And after about an hour we got home, this huge thunderstorm came rolling in. There was a lot of wind and the rain was coming down, also the thunder and lightning was shaking the apartment. Then our power went out, so we just chilled outside watching the storm. The lightening was just coming and after one strike, a car alarm started going off which was pretty close. But it was really cool watching it and the lightening started off coming down, but then it switched to just doing it in the sky. It looked like a vain in the sky and it was just beautiful!

So we woke up on Saturday and the power was still off, so we had to run our food to the church so it wouldn't get spoiled. Also we didn't get the power back till about 6pm Saturday night, but it was really good to get it back. So we had the M&M night and we had about 16 people show up. None of the people we invited came, which was pretty discouraging but at least people came. A lot of members came and a few less-active members came.

So on church on Sunday we had some really good talks and lessons. For sacrament, the young women just went to girls camp so the girls shared their testimony about it and then Elder Weaver gave a talk about Father's and all that they do for us.  Then during Relief Society we talked about The parable of the lost sheep and how important it is to rescue that one. The lesson was really good and we all needed to hear it.  After church, there was a baptism for an 8 year old in the ward. The baptismal service went very well and you could see that this young boy understood what he was doing and his love for the gospel.  

Then we got to go see Ora and visit with her for some time. She is such a sweet lady and we could see that she loved us coming over. Durtschi and I are trying to focus on being peoples friends and not just a lesson. They are children of God and we need to treat them like it. After we went over to Chara's house to have FHE and we were able to read them the story, "The empty pot". It is s really good story and was great for the family. Then we got to have a great conversation with Chara and just trying to get to know her better. Then we went over to the Turley's for dinner and I am so grateful for the Turley's and all that they do for us.  

So we had a pretty busy week and this next week we have Zone Conference, so we will see how that goes. Hope y'all have a great week.

Love and Miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sister McKenna O'Connor