What a Week

 Golden Corral with Brother Graves and Sister Curry

What a week! This has been one of the best weeks I have had since being in Hattiesburg. Tuesday was a day full of great appointments! We were able to teach Russell in the Humphreys' home again. But it wasn't just Russell. They brought a friend, Kevin. It turned to more of a gospel discussion but went really well. I love teaching in members homes. There is such a special spirit. 

Wednesday was crazy. We spur of the moment had to plan a zone meeting. So Wednesday morning we met up with the Zone Leaders at the church, made breakfast and planned our meeting. It was fun to do something different than the regular schedule. The rest of Wednesday was spent in Sandhill for exchanges! Also good. 

Thursday we finally got in contact with Zac and were able to teach him. We asked him what he expected of us. And he really likes meeting with us to learn, not really to know for himself if it is true. So we explained that that isn't our purpose and he needs to be seeking for answers. So we committed him to come to church with a question and he promised to be there! 

That evening we met with Russell again and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a really good lesson. He understands the steps he needs to take before he is baptized and is excited to be baptized. During the lesson he said how he felt for a while that things in his life needed to change and that he was being led to do the better thing. He sat there for a minute and then says, "I have been thinking, maybe it has something to do with the spirit?" WHAT?! That is the best thing to hear. He gets it! and recognizes the spirit! YAY!!!!!! 

There is a girl named Whitney that the elders had been teaching for quite awhile. She comes to church often and to almost all the church activities. But we haven't been able to set up a time to meet with her until this week. We went to get to know her and see what she had been taught. She knows all the lessons and wants to be baptized but can't because she is living with her boyfriend. It was kind of disappointing but it will be good to work with her. 

Only in the South do you find scriptures on your granola!!

Saturday we were on exchanges again with the Petal sisters. I was in Petal but sister Bartsch had the chance to teach Russell again. They taught him the Word of Wisdom. He smokes but said the spirit has been bugging him to stop since meeting with us. So he is working on it this week. Please keep him in your prayers that he will be able to! 

Sunday was a slow day. We went to church and none of our investigators came to church. Zac was sick and Russell somehow got locked inside his trailer. After church we had been invited by someone tracting to go to their church, Venture. It was very interesting. Loud music, a short sermon on the birth of our Savior, more loud music, and then a party with food and pictures with a penguin. While we were looking around guess who we ran into... Zac! He was feeling better and was able to go to his own church.. Awkward! 

I am so grateful for this time of year that we have to remember our Savior even more. President Olson asked us to think of a scripture we can use through the holiday's to help us remember that we want to give back to the Lord. I picked Jacob 2:18. What will you do to give back to the Lord this upcoming year? 

Love y'all! Have a wonderful Christmas! 

Sister Kelly

Christmas Light with Sister Bartsch