Mission Journal

April 8, 2012 – Sunday

There was a nice crowd at church today, maybe thirty people.  WE came in a little late, but she was there!  I’m sorry to report that neither WH, TC, nor TH showed up, we’ll keep praying for them.  Also CH wasn’t there, we’ll be teaching him again on Tuesday.  I think his grandmother is beginning to lose hope for now.

Brother and Sister Pieper had us over for lunch.  They are the most “Mormon” like members in this branch – we love and appreciate them.

April 7, 2012 – Saturday

We went to WE’s house this morning.  She is a single lady and her garbage disposal is worn out and she wanted to just remove it and put a drain in its place.  I did that for her while Sister Oakley played a video of Elder Anderson’s talk in last week’s conference.  She promised to come to church tomorrow, I hope she does – she’s a great person.  She has already read in the Book of Mormon to the Book of Jacob about the olive tree, she’s doing great.

We met with TH and his wife and taught them the restoration lesson and challenged them to read Alma chapter 7.  I had already met with him on Monday and asked him to read, when I asked he said he hasn’t read anything – disappointing. 

Last Thursday we tried to find a family that lives near TH and couldn’t find them, when I asked TH where MT lived he showed me, it was real close.  MT was cleaning her travel trailer when we pulled up in her driveway, but she doesn’t want anything to do with the church she said, that is sad. L

Next we drove to TC’s house about 20 miles away.   He hasn’t been to church in almost a month because he thinks women shouldn’t teach.  I gave him a copy of the e-mail from President McKee saying that leadership in the church is part of the keys of the priesthood and that the bishop or branch president can call a woman to teach, but he doesn’t want to listen.  I asked him to talk to the branch president and he said, “Well, let him come out here and talk to me.”  I told him to come to church and ask the president for a conference.  I hope he comes out.  I also encouraged him to read from the Book of Mormon, and we played for him a video of Elder Anderson titled “You Know Enough” – check it out on LDS.org.

April 6, 2012 – Friday

We visited with TV’s family this morning – they are so happy now that he has joined the church.  This afternoon RR and his wife JR wanted to take us to a bar-be-que restaurant.  JR had let us teach her the first two lessons back in December, but now she will only let us be her friend.  At least she will do that.  We had the pleasure of eating bar-be-qued mutton.  Owensboro is quite famous for their b-b-q mutton..  It was fine but give me the good ole pork ribs any day.  We also went around and saw the beautiful azaleas.  They were all colors and very beautiful.  Then we drove over the bridge into Indiana and then down the river road. It was very beautiful.  Now I can say I have been to Indiana.  The dog wood and red bud trees are blooming and the wild flowers are so pretty now and everything is so green and beautiful.  The woods are alive with white and red and green trees, and yellow flowers.

April 5, 2012 – Thursday

We were hoping to catch TC and family at home; they are a great family with two children and have taken the lessons in the past.  The last time we saw them Mrs. TC was sick.  As we drove up to their house today Mrs. TC was driving out of the driveway. 

JS lives just around the corner so we went to his house – unannounced.  Mrs. JS met us at the door and let us in.  The last time we met with them we challenged them to read Alma chapter 7, and Mrs. JS had read a little but couldn’t understand what she had read.  We set an appointment for Tuesday and will check back with them at that time.

WH lives about a block away, when we saw his pickup at home we stopped by his house.  He said he has read the Book of Moses and was excited about reading it.  I challenged him to start reading the Book of Mormon from the start and he said he would do that.  We also asked him to come to church Sunday and reviewed the restoration lesson with him.

April 4, 2012 – Wednesday

We drove to Clarksville today for zone meeting.  It was spiritual as usual and we always enjoy being with the young missionaries.  We do have a new senior couple in our district now and we were able to meet them.  Now that’s, counting ourselves, three senior couples in the Hopkinsville zone.  The new couple is serving in Morgantown just twenty-five miles away.

April 3, 2012 – Tuesday

We were finally able to meet with the NIC family.  They are Catholic and have a very good testimony of our savior Jesus Christ.  We gave them the Plan of Salvation lesson, and Br NIC read several scriptures as we asked him to.  They received the lesson well, and were truly affected as Sister Oakley bore her testimony.  Because he is a coach at the high school he asked us to come back after school let out for the summer.  We asked them to read Alma chapter 7 as they drove up North for the spring break and they agree to do so.

JS just lives around the corner so we stopped at his house and were able to meet with his wife.  They have received the lessons in the past but she does drink a lot of coffee and smokes and I believe these things are a stumbling block for them.  Sister JS was having medical test Wednesday and we gave her a new Book of Mormon and asked her to read Alma chapter 7 while in the waiting room.

Next we stopped by MY’s house and learned that JY was back in the nursing home in Beaver Dam, so we drove to the nursing home and visited with him.  He almost lost his other foot but they put a vacuum pump on it and it’s still there for now.  Anyone reading this; pray for JY.

April 2, 2012 – Monday

Sister Oakley’s feet are bothering her and she is having a hard time walking, so we drove to a couple of places to see if they would have a dress shoe that is cool and can support her orthotics.  We did learn that Social Security will pay for three orthotics per year and one pair of shoes per year.  But the place here in Hartford doesn’t have the shoes and orthotics she needs.  The next time we go to Nashville we will go to Foot Solutions again, they were able to help us in Plano.

This evening I went with Br. Pieper, the branch mission leader to visit a few people.  The first place was an apartment and we learned that the member was sent to a nursing home, we’ll have to find out which one.  Next we visited TH, he is a truck driver and his wife is very sick.  I invited him to read Alma chapter seven and set an appointment for Sister Oakley and me for next Saturday.

April 1, 2012 – Sunday

RR and his wife JR invited us to watch conference at their house today.  We attempted to teach JR back in December, but she refused to hear more lessons.  So for now we will be her friends and teach little things as opportunity arrives.

March 31, 2012 – Saturday

We stayed home and watched conference on our computer – it was wonderful as usual.  Then for priesthood RR came by and we drove to Morgantown to their chapel where they have a satellite receiver.  I was able to visit with RR there and back.  He wants to be more active than he is, but his arthritis is getting worse.  I hope he can endure to the end.

March 30, 2012 – Friday

This morning we finally found BL. She is an active member of the branch but hasn’t answered her phone for several days.  She’s 78 years old and we could just see her in our mind lying on the floor of her house – we were worried.  We drove over to her house and her car was gone and no one at home.  Then Sister Oakley thought she could see her car at her daughters house about 300 yards away, so we drove to the daughter’s house and BL was there.  She said she didn’t answer her phone because she thought we were phone solicitors. She is just fine and we are happy.

Next we found LB at home.  Because of diabetes, she lost her left leg below the knee and doesn’t come to church.  Her husband is a retired military sergeant and for the first time sat down and talked with us for a few moments.  We also were able to get the address of her children who are also inactive.   She is so sweet.  She always loads us up with tomatoes, tomato juice, cantaloupes, onions, ect.

March 29, 2012 – Thursday

Today we had a good visit with WE, she has been inactive for over fifteen years but came to church last week.  She said she would watch conference if she could.  We also visited with WH another inactive brother who also came to church last week, then – TC a recent convert who hasn’t been to church for a couple of weeks.  He said he refused to be taught by a woman!  He showed me a few scriptures written by Paul where he said a woman should never rule or teach.  I told him I would get with the mission president about the issue.  President McKee said Paul was talking about the priesthood and as soon as I can I’ll go back by and talk to him again.

March 28, 2012 – Wednesday

We visited several homes on the inactive list and found that some have moved.  We did contact HL, she is the sister of MC who is active, but HL’s husband is a heavy drinker and she wants to be left alone at this time.  We’ll pray for her and remember – You can force no man to heaven.

March 27, 2012 – Tuesday

This evening we went to CH’s house and taught or reviewed the Plan of Salvation.  Sister Oakley bore a wonderful testimony and I saw a few tears in CH’s eyes.  He promised to continue reading from the Book of Mormon, but still resist committing to baptism.

March 26, 2012 – Monday

Our Father in Heaven is wonderful and has granted us mercy again.  Sister Oakley is now able to eat and is feeling much better.

March 25, 2012 – Sunday

Today was fast Sunday, but because Sister Oakley is so sick we stayed home from church.  She was able to start taking soup and some liquids and that was encouraging.  Several of the sisters called to see what they could do for us – isn’t the Relief Society great.