Mission Journal

April 25, 2012 – Wednesday

We had a first visit with DR and his family today.  DR is a young father of two and his youngest is just a newborn.  He remembered having missionaries in his parent’s home when he was a boy, but after his parents divorced he blamed God for their divorce and quit going to church.  He said that while he was a teenager he wouldn’t even go into a room with a Bible in it.  But now he is a father himself and sees the world as an adult.  When we called and asked if we could visit he wanted us to eat lunch with them and he fixed a very good lunch for us.  After lunch we were able to show the video about the Restoration and then talk about the restoration with them.  His wife who is still an older teen isn’t sure if she should read the Book of Mormon or not.  We asked her to pray about it and asked her to read Alma 7. We have a follow up visit on May 9^th.  Pray for this wonderful young family.

Our next appointment was at JW’s house.  When we set the appointment with DR above; we didn’t know that he was the son of Mrs. JW.  DR said he knew about the appointment we had with JW and wanted the May 9 appointment with the JW family.  We told Mrs. JW how things went with her son and his family and she was giddy she was so happy.  We showed them the video of President Monson’s priesthood talk in the last conference.  We admonished JW to start attending priesthood meeting and he said that he would do that.

April 24, 2012 – Tuesday

Mrs. JS called today and said that her husband’s friend that we met the last time we were at their house got put in jail in Muhlenberg County and that they had to cancel todays meeting because they had to get him out of jail – we’ll reschedule.

CH’s grandmother called and said that he was sick and didn’t want to see anyone today.  We tried to see some others but after much driving we totally struck out today!

April 23, 2012 – Monday

We drove to Nashville today to find a Shoe Solutions store so Sister Oakley could get a pair of summer shoes that she can wear.  On the way Sister Oakley got a phone call that made her very happy.  Because this blog is public that’s all I will say about that subject, but she was very happy.  We did find a pair of sandals that she can wear that does not hurt her feet, so the trip was worth it.

April 22, 2012 – Sunday

After church we went back to SH’s house.  He met us in the drive way and led us back into the garage.  His wife and grandchild stayed in the house.  We had a prayer and attempted to give the lesson on the Plan of Salvation.  Each time we attempted to make a point he would interrupt and say things completely unrelated.  At one point he said something about prayer in schools.  Sister Oakley said that in our local school system in Texas that prayer in school was not allowed.  SH turned red in the face, started breathing as if he were going to explode, his eyes were popping out, and he started saying things as if he were possessed.  We didn’t know whether to run, fight, or stay calm.  What we did was stay calm and change the subject.  Once we finished the lesson as much as we could, he started on a rant about how he was told by the Lord to start his own church in the area and lead people back to the Lord, but he would only allow righteous people in his church. We began looking for a way to leave.  Finally I asked if we could have a closing prayer and we left.  He followed us to the car and continued his rant as we walked.  I feel really bad for this man – he is rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

April 21, 2012 – Saturday

TH called and said that she is very sick and didn’t want us to visit with them today.  We set up an appointment for next week.  We did visit with WH again and let him know that we visited with his brother yesterday.  I’m not real sure that he took that as well as I had hoped.

Next we went to BL’s house.  She joined the church well over a year ago and hasn’t been to church since her baptism.  We worked with her on a weekly basis for several weeks but haven’t seen her in over a month as of today.  We knocked on her door and her father answered the door and told us that BL had a hernia operation and that it developed an infection.  We talked with her father and her daughter for a while.  We’ll have to come back soon and see how she is doing.

April 20, 2012 – Friday

We drove to Fordsville to Sister C’s house.  She lives in a house upon a tall hill.  As we climbed her driveway we could smell the rubber burn off from our car tires.  She has several animals and chickens around her house.  We could hear the TV inside the house, but no one answered the door, so we had to leave our card and leave.  Next we went to Dundee and attempted to find Brother M, but the address we had for him was an empty house.  We know where his brother lives so we will try to get his new address.

Finally, we did find SH at home with his grandson on his shoulders.  We were welcomed into their garage and given chairs to sit in.  We discussed faith and salvation with them.  Even though he was baptized a member of the church as a child he sounds as if he knows nothing about Christ true gospel.  We gave him a Book of Mormon and asked him to read again Alma 7.  We set up an appointment for this coming Sunday to meet with him again.

April 19, 2012 – Thursday

BL is such a wonderful lady and we have learned to love her.  For the last few months she has been feeling badly and getting worse.  She missed church the last two weeks and that is unusual for her.  Last Sunday Brother Pieper and I gave her a blessing and today Sister Oakley and I drove over to see how she was doing.  She has had a bad experience with one of the inactive members of the branch that she works with.  He yelled and screamed at her over something that was very little, and she is having a hard time forgiving him.  We listened to her and admonished her to forgive.  We promised her that if she would forgive him that she would feel better inside.

Next we visited with WE.  We discussed Joseph Smiths vision with her and encouraged her to forgive her former husband.  We also encouraged her to read from the Book of Mormon daily.  We promised her that if she would read that she would feel the spirit of the Lord.  She said that she would read the scriptures.

April 18, 2012 – Wednesday

CD’s daughter had a doctor’s visit today and he stayed awake for that visit, so he was too sleepy for us to come over today.  We’ll have to reschedule.

We drove to Beaver Dam and found TC at home hoping to set up an appointment with his family.  He said they have found a church home and are not interested in lessons at this time.  We discussed authority with him and gave him a Book of Mormon and asked him to read Alma 7.  We’ll get back with him later.

While we were in Beaver Dam we stopped by WH house and played a video about the life of Jesus for him and asked him to read 3 Nephi 11.  He promised to be at church on Sunday.

April 17, 2012 – Tuesday

JS was home today and WH went with us again.  We discussed The Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.  Mrs. JS is really wanting to read and learn while JS is reluctant to read from the Book of Mormon.  Before we left we challenged them to read 3 Nephi chapter 11 and challenged JS to read with his wife.  He said he would – I really hope so – the next lesson is on the commandments of God.

Robert and Fara visited with us this evening and spent the night.  They seem to be very happy and that makes us happy.  Marianne sent us a picture of Robert, Fara, and Emma together.  We printed that picture out and put it in a frame with the other family pictures.  When we were showing Fara our family pictures she saw that picture (taken only two days before in the Dallas area) and said, “She looks like me!” with the look of amazement on her face.  I said, “Isn’t technology amazing.”  Actually, we are proud to have their picture in our house.  We had an enjoyable visit; too bad they had to leave the next morning.  Sister Oakley and I have a beautiful new daughter in our family.

April 16, 2012 – Monday

WH went with us to JS’s house, but when we got there JS wasn’t home and Mrs. JS said they forgot about us coming, so we set up a time tomorrow.

We visited with CH today.  We showed him four videos from the LDS.org site and then read from Alma 32:26-41.  When we were through reading we sat silent for a while and I knew that I could feel the spirit.  I looked around and I could tell that everyone else could also feel the spirit, so I said to CH, “Tell me what you feel.”  He said, “You know what I’m feeling – How did you know?”  I told him that I could feel the spirit and I could see in the faces of Sister Oakley and his grandmother that they could feel the spirit as well.  He was amazed.

April 15, 2012 – Sunday

Of all the people who promised to come out to church, only WH came.  We were a little disappointed, but happy when WH walked into the chapel.  We all have freedom to choose for ourselves.  No man can be forced to heaven.

After church I went with Br. Pieper to give BL a blessing.  She’s been sick and missed work a few days last week.  Later that evening Sister Oakley and I visited with MY.  I wish she would let us teach her the lessons, but not yet.  Her husband is still in the nursing home; things don’t look good for him being able to ever return home.

April 14, 2012 – Saturday

TH called and said he had to work today and asked to postpone our visit to their house until next week.  So we decided to visit with ES since it’s been a long time since we’ve caught her at home.  We were lucky this time and she was at home and we taught her the lesson on The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  She always seems to understand the lessons when we teach, but she has yet to come out to church.  We asked her if she would come out tomorrow, but as usual she had a million excuses why she couldn’t.  We are praying for her, she’s a good woman and deserves better than she is excepting for herself.

April 13, 2012 – Friday

Sister Oakley had her appointment with Dr. Risk this morning.  Her labs are looking OK, except for the lipids are still a little high.  He put her on niacin to help with that.

We visited with WE again today and continued to teach her.  We’re excited that she is still reading the Book of Mormon and feeling the spirit as she reads.

Then we visited with BB, a good person who just can’t seem to understand the gospel.  She’s not reading as she promised, and neither is she coming to church as she said she would.  I believe the two – Reading from the Book of Mormon and activity in the Lord’s church are connected.  If a person will read from the Book of Mormon, and from the other scriptures, they will feel the spirit.  And if they feel the spirit they will come to church.

April 12, 2012 – Thursday

Br. Pieper wanted us to go home teaching with him and he first took us to CD’s house.  CD was baptized as a teenager and only went to church for a short time.  They have a twelve year old daughter and a three year old daughter.  The twelve year old is a normal healthy child, and very smart and beautiful.  Their three year old is a downs baby, and so cute; but CD is angry with God because his daughter was born with special needs.  We visited with this family one time before, but this time we gave them the lesson on the Restoration.  CD asked why God would let his child be born in such a way.  Sister Oakley bore her testimony that God loves all of his children and especially special children like his daughter.  We read some scriptures and his twelve year old understood what they were saying I think better than CD did.  We were able to setup a follow-up meeting for next week; we believe that is an answer to our prayers.

Next we went to LR’s house; she is an older member who only joined a few years ago.  Her husband is a non-member who smokes one cigarette after another.  Mrs. LR has breathing problems, I believe caused by his smoking.  There grown son also lives with them, he is a member but only partially active.  We talked to them about one of the conference talks.  They are wonderful people.  Sister Oakley and I would like to get their son, RR off to himself and talk to him some time.

April 11, 2012 – Wednesday

We drove to Hopkinsville for interviews with President McKee this morning.  We always enjoy meeting with the zone and with the President, we learn so much.  When it was our turn to meet with the President – Well, here is Sister Oakley’s account.  ‘President McKee never walks slow and I was walking real fast to keep up with him and I looked down; feeling something slip to the floor – it was my slip.  I was so embarrassed.  I said, “Oh, wait a minute I lost my slip,” and reached down to pull it up as we went into the meeting room.  President McKee told Elder Oakley he wanted to talk to me first and shut the door.  I kept pulling at my slip to get it in the right place and President McKee asked, “Do you want me to step out so you can get yourself together?”  I said, “No, I think I’ve got it now.”  Then I proceeded in tripping over my feet and landed on the desk and pushed backward into the bookcase.  I told President McKee that I was a little dippy because my blood sugars had been messed up this last week and I was losing my clothes because I was continuing to lose weight. I have lost 40 lbs. since we have been on our mission, and all my clothes are too big.  I have to pin some of them up to wear them.   He sat down and said “WELL HOWS YOUR WORTHYNESS?”  I said, “GREAT.” He said, “Then we are all fine.” Then he asked the Temple recommend questions.’

We had an appointment with JC and his wife at 6:00 pm that evening and didn’t get to leave Hopkinsville until 4:30 – but we made it and only five minutes late.  Mrs. JC is a non-member and JC was baptized at age 13 and only went to church for a year before they moved away and he quit going, so they know very little about the church.  I was told by brother Pieper that at one time they were trying to teach them about the gospel and JC told them not to come.  Anyway, when we got there only Mrs. JC was home and we were fishing for what to do next when he came in.  He’d been at his sister’s house repairing some electrical wiring for her and had dirt all over his jeans.  Mrs. JC got the wooden chair form the dining room and had him set on it so he wouldn’t get dirt on the couch.  Soon Sister Oakley and I began to teach the Plan of Salvation lesson when Mrs. JC started bombarding us with antagonistic questions.  We couldn’t get one question answered before she would ask another.  We tried to stay calm and answer her questions, and after about ten minutes she said she had to leave to go to her Baptist Church’s Wednesday meeting.  After she left, JC was very cordial and listened to the lesson and asked questions as if he were trying to understand what we were teaching.  I left a couple of pamphlets, one on the Restoration, and the other on the Plan of Salvation.  I also left a Book of Mormon with him and asked him to read Alma 7.  He said he would and we’ll follow up as soon as we can.

April 10, 2012 – Tuesday

We were supposed to meet a new investigator today, GS.  His mother was in the hospital in very poor health.  Br. Pieper was going to introduce us to him, but his mother actually died.  He said he would still introduce us to him as soon as he could get ahold of him.  Today he needs to know about the Plan of Salvation more than ever.

We were able to meet with JS and his wife today and give them the Plan of Salvation lesson.  Mrs. JS read the scriptures and was impacted by them; we could all feel the spirit as she read.  Now she has decided that her former baptism was done without authority, and that’s a good step.  We will teach her one step at a time and she is worried about the Word of Wisdom lesson.  She doesn’t think she can stop smoking.  I admonished her to continue reading the Book of Mormon, and we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

CH’s grandmother is sick today so we have postponed his lesson to a future day.

April 9, 2012 – Monday

Sister Oakley had blood test drawn this morning, we had to go to the hospital across the street because the clinic’s lab guy was off today – she sees the doctor on Friday.

We went to TV’s house this evening.  He and his family invited us over to eat with them.  He is a chef at a local Mexican Restaurant and the meal was great.  TV is a humble man and he and his wife have four children.  Sister TV was so excited when he was baptized in January and is hopeful that they will be sealed in the Nashville Temple.