Mission Journal

June 21, 2012 – Thursday

We had district conference in Morgantown today.  It’s funny, look down at yesterday; we were inspired to go to the members.  Well, today the district leader, who went yesterday to leadership meeting in Clarksville, discussed a plan to get more help from the members.  We’ll go back now and work the plan, which is to have them read D&C 18:10, 15-16, then go through a ten step plan with them that will help them focus on the Savior while looking at someone to fellowship and help to receive the gospel.

After the conference we went to Elder and Sister Peterson’s house, their moving from an apartment to a house, to help them clean and move.  Sister Peterson made lunch for us and it was good.

When we got back to Hartford we went to the Longest Day celebration at the Ohio County Fair Grounds and helped with the celebration.  It was hot out there.  Sister Oakley does not do well in heat and she was really exhausted by the time we got home.

Those of you who know me, know I was hanging on to the pole and Elder Oakley was holding me up.

  

June 20, 2012 – Wednesday

We felt that we needed more help from the branch members so we visited with the most active and wonderful members today.  We started with BP’s house and asked for referrals.  Br. BP said we would have to work for it and had Sister Oakley give a lesson before he would commit to give a referral.

We also visited with the BC family.  BC was busy in his garden, but we did talk to Mrs. BC and she promised to get back with us.

June 19, 2012 – Tuesday

Today is my daughter Wendy’s birthday. J  But I couldn’t get ahold of her to tell her happy birthday.

We had a family history class at the Hartford library.  It was taught by Br. Pieper – he’s a good teacher.  There were about eight people there and they seemed to enjoy what was taught.  We’ve decided to have the class on a monthly basis, which should be good.  We met BB’s daughter at the class and she is a really nice young lady.  We have been trying to get BB to introduce us to her so we might teach her family.  She has just recently remarried and seems to have a great new husband.  They would make a great addition to the branch.

June 18, 2012 – Monday

Went to Owensboro for a short while, then cleaned and washed cloths.  It was a good day – I spent it with my wife. J

June 17, 2012 – Sunday

Today is father’s day – the primary gave out cookies to the fathers, and a kiss glued to a paper tie. J  We only had about twenty eight people at sacrament meeting, but two families were out of town so maybe things are looking up.

June 16, 2012 – Saturday

It’s been so long since we’ve been able to meet with ES.  The last three times we knocked on her door there was no answer, but we didn’t give up and today she let us in.  We didn’t get to give a formal lesson, but she did listen and seemed to truly enjoy having us there.  She had to get ready to go somewhere with her daughter, but she did set an appointment with us for next Saturday.

CD has been sick lately and we were worried about her so we stopped by her house.  She is a giving person and has allowed her brother and her grandson to both stay with her.  It seems that neither of them understands the sacrifice she has made for them.  Today her brother has moved out and she is also feeling better.  Maybe their connected?

Sister Oakley spent the whole evening baking cookies for Father’s Day for the primary to hand out tomorrow in Sacrament meeting.

June 15, 2012 – Friday

We visited with Mrs. JS today.  JS has been working a few carpenter jobs lately and it’s been hard to catch him at home.  We asked Mrs. JS to read Matt. 19:16-22, and asked her, “As a follower of Jesus Christ, will you continue to study the things we have been teaching you?  Will you continue to read from the Book of Mormon on a daily basis?  She did commit to do so.  She and her husband are having a hard time with their children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Whoever reads this, pray for them.

We also visited with WE today.  It always takes a long time when we visit with her.  She reads a lot and always has questions.  She said the wars and battles in the Book of Alma make her tired.  Then she said it’s too much like today, you can’t see or read the news unless you hear about a war somewhere.  I told her the wars were always caused by someone not obeying the word of the Lord, and that’s also true about today’s wars.

June 14, 2012 – Thursday

We had district meeting in Leitchfield this morning.  Every week we are given assignments, but it is up to us to fulfill those assignments.  I know we are directed by the Holy Ghost as we study because they are always coordinated when we present the lessons as a district.  It’s so comforting to know our Father in Heaven is in control.

After the meeting WH took us to meet with his sister B.  B is in her seventies, and we realized that she is the great grandmother of some young ladies we have been teaching – wow.

June 13, 2012 – Wednesday

Not long ago I was blessed with the opportunity to confirm a young lady a member of the church, GC.  Today we visited with her and her mother and brother and gave her a video lesson on the Book of Mormon.  She is such a neat little girl; we love her and her family.

This evening we met with the family of BN and gave a lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We read several chapters of the Book of Mormon and the spirit was strong in the room.  After the lesson they gave us dinner and things were good.  Before we left I challenged them to read from the Book of Mormon daily.  BN said he could do that, but thought Mrs. BN would have a problem with that.  After a little discussion, Mrs. BN said she is comfortable with the church she now attends.  Sister Oakley asked her, “If you knew, nothing doubting, that you could be with your husband, and family in heaven – Would you join the church that could make that happen for you?”  Mrs. BN said, “I don’t know that, how can I know that?”  Sister Oakley said, “What I’m saying is – If you did know, would you?”  She said, “I think I’ll know my family.  I believe that in my heart.”  Her husband, who studied as a priest, said, “Our church don’t teach that.  We teach that we’ll be centered on the Lord.  If you want our marriage bound in heaven, we’ll have to join with a church that teaches the true gospel of eternal marriage.”  BN also stated that he believes that the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God.  We’ll keep you posted.

June 12, 2012 – Tuesday

We visited with WH today, we love this shy man, but we wish we could do more for him, but, that’s impossible.  We can teach the gospel, but we can’t force anyone to obey.  We also visited with BB.  She is a good person, but she has only come to church 3 times since we’ve been in Hartford. L

June 11, 2012 – Monday

P-day – shopping and cleaning house – a good day.