Mission Journal

May 29, 2012 – Tuesday

The new young couple that moved to Hartford this week is so friendly.  The Mrs. –  HS – volunteered to go with us to BP’s house.  BP and her granddaughters are a little slow when it comes to reading, so we decided it would be good to show them the video Finding Faith in Christ and then give the primary lesson on the Plan of Salvation.  The primary lesson only talks about how Jesus was willing to follow Heavenly Fathers plan, and how Lucifer wanted to force men to return to heaven and take all the glory for himself.  HS bore her testimony and was a great help, we’re glad to have her.

We also went to JS’s house this afternoon, just Sister Oakley and me.  We love going to their house, and they are beginning to understand the gospel, and I believe their love for the Lord is growing.  To begin the lesson JS asked me to say the prayer, but when it came to the ending prayer he wanted to say that himself.  He is reading his new Book of Alma and loves it.  Mrs. JS wanted to know more about forcing people to follow Christ, and JS said he thought that was wrong.  I had him read from the D&C section 121:41-43.  

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

 42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

 43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

JS was really moved by this scripture, the spirit was strong.  He said that he had always felt this was the right way, and he was so glad that he has finally read a scripture that said these things.

May 28, 2012 – Monday

Today was P-day, but we had promised BP’s granddaughters that we would watch them play fiddle and guitar at the strawberry festival.  We were unsure about the time when they would be there so we called BP and asked.  She said one would play at 10:15 and the other at 10:45.  Well, we got there at 10:00 but no children playing blue grass.  At 11:00 they had a memorial service that lasted until noon, which was good and I’m glad we were there.  Except the temperature was 97 degrees.  Finally the Blue Grass Young’uns played at noon until 1:30 pm.  We left a little early because we were about to burn up.  It was good to get back inside an air-conditioned car. We drove on to Owensboro and took care of a little shopping we had to do.

May 27, 2012 – Sunday

Mrs. JS said she wasn’t feeling well so she wouldn’t be coming to church this morning. L  But TV’s daughter is ready to be baptized, and TV was able to do the baptism! J J  His daughter asked for me to confirm her.  TV blessed the sacrament for the third week in a roll; he has come a long way.  After church AC’s daughter was baptized by Br. Pieper.  She also asked that I confirm her a member of the church.  I was humbled today by two eight year old girls.

Br. and Sister Pieper asked us to eat with them.  We always enjoy being with these wonderful folks.

Our little branch is being blessed by a new couple moving in and they’re living just down the road from us.  They dropped in to meet us this evening, and they are a very nice young couple.   They will add strength to the branch.

We have a corn field just outside our kitchen window!

May 26, 2012 – Saturday

We’re so sore this morning! L We drove over to BN’s house and he and his boys were sanding patches on the wall.  We helped with that and discussed how the Lord blesses us.  BN has never repaired or painted a wall before.  When I mentioned that where he patched was smooth and the other parts of the wall had a texture they looked shocked, they hadn’t thought of that.  They asked, “What can we do about that?”  I explained that the only thing they could do to make it look right is put another texture on the wall from corner to corner.  Mrs. BN went to the store and bought some more mud and I showed them how to mix it so as to match the rest of the room, and when we finished they were extremely happy.  We felt good and set up a time to come back and teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow two eight year old girls are going to be baptized.  We drove over to the church to fill the font and found that we couldn’t get to the switch to turn on the water heater.  We got ahold of Br. C at the Strawberry Festival in Beaver Dam and got a key from him.  Since we had his key we decided to empty the garbage can in the president’s office and discovered that the floor was wet.  We called Br. Pieper and he came with a shop vac to vacuum the water from the floor, and said he would watch the font since he and his brother-in-law were there anyway.

May 25, 2012 – Friday

We decided to help WE with her tree limbs, especially the one hanging over the electric wire.  I borrowed a pole saw from BC and we drove to her house, she wasn’t expecting us and was surprised when we pulled into her driveway.  It was very hard work for the three of us, being that none of us are in very good shape, but we did get the limbs off the wire and off the roof of her house.  She was cutting the grass and me and Sister Oakley were cutting limbs and stacking them in the back of her truck and then moving them to a stack of limbs on another part of her property.  We worked from about 9:00 am till about 1:00 pm when my hands started cramping and I couldn’t get them to stay open, I guess I’m a wimp – what can I say.  Sister Oakley packed a lunch and we ate at WE’s house then drove home and showered – boy that felt good.

When we got to BN’s house they told us that they had called and left a message that they weren’t ready for us to help with the wall, but they did invite us to watch their boys play in a little league game.  Their youngest boy is a little sick; they said strep, so he and his mother were to stay home, so we went home to get ready for the game.  When we got to the field both boys were out playing.  Their team was one man short so he volunteered to play even though he didn’t feel good, what a trouper.  By the second game the other boy showed up, so the sick boy went home with his mother.  It was fun to watch boys play baseball, I’ve always loved it.

May 24, 2012 – Thursday

Visited with WE today and as usual she had questions from the Book of Mormon, I love that she is asking questions about the Book of Mormon.  Sometimes it’s best to go back to the basics.  God is our Heavenly Father – He has a body of flesh and bone.  Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and was the Jehovah of the Old Testament and today has a body of flesh and bones.  The Holy Ghost is also a member of the Godhead and is a body of spirit.  She read something in the Book of Mosiah that confused her about the Godhead so we reviewed other scriptures that explained this concept better.  She is sooooo upset about all the wars in the Book of Alma and wanted to know why they continued to fight all the time.  She’s such a wonderful person and wants peace for everyone.  She has trouble seeing that in our time we are having wars as often as they did in the Book of Mormon. 

The trees around her house are completely overgrown, on the roof of her house and one limb is broken and hanging over the electric wire going to her house.  She doesn’t have money to have them cut and she is not in shape to do it herself.  She can’t get home owners insurance because of those trees.

Next we went to BN’s house, he’s a school teacher and his family is so nice. They’re making repairs to one of the walls of their house.  As we talked and gave a short lesson, I picked up a scraper and helped scrape some of the paint.  We told them that we’d come by tomorrow and help them with the wall.

May 23, 2012 – Wednesday

Sister Oakley was hurting very badly today and we stayed at home and studied as best as we could.  KS the nurse told us that the 5^th day after a Reclast injection would be the worst, and many people had flu like symptoms.  Some even had fever and chills, vomiting. At least Sister Oakley was only hurting.

May 22, 2012 – Tuesday

We had three appointments set for today, first we drove to BP’s house and nobody was home but the cats, so we drove over to GP’s house and she wasn’t home either.  Next we were to have a meeting with Brother Pieper at the church, but when we called him he was in a business meeting – deep breath.  Next we were to have a meeting with JS and his wife, but as we were driving the phone rang and they cancelled as well.  Then we drove to Olaton and finely found GP at home with her husband – a nice couple that we have been trying to catch for over a week.  They have a beautiful home with weeping willow trees, a well mowed lawn, and a front porch with humming bird feeders on it.   We watched the humming birds zip past from one feeder to another.  GP told us she was Methodist and wouldn’t change her religion, and had no desire to listen to us.  We did leave a video and a pamphlet on the plan of salvation.  We also left our card with her.

May 21, 2012 – Monday

We drove to the Elders apartment in Leitchfield and met with them and Elder and Sister Peterson, we had lunch and then went to Mammoth Cave.  It was beautiful and we only took the short tour because we didn’t think we could walk the hard trail. The 2nd picture is of the cave crickets. Scary looking things. I would like to go back and do the long tour.

May 20, 2012 – Sunday

We have been blessed with about thirty people in Sacrament meeting and most of the men are wearing white shirts!   TV continues to give the blessing on the sacrament and does a great job, and his English is improving.

May 19, 2012 – Saturday

For the life of me I waited too long to blog, and didn’t give myself any notes in the calendar book.  I know we were busy, but I can’t remember what we did.

May 18, 2012 – Friday

We were able to meet with BP again and talk about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I think I probably got a little long winded, sorry about that.  Each of the girls received a Book of Mormon.  Our next appointment with them is next Tuesday.

We also met with WE, her back is bothering her a lot.  We discussed what she has been reading in the Book of Mosiah, she always ask soul searching questions.  We have to be on our toes with her – that’s a good thing.

May 17, 2012 – Thursday

District meeting was held in Leitchfield this morning.  I gave the closing prayer and Sister Oakley gave some of the training.

We met BP this afternoon, along with two of her grandchildren, CP and JLP.  They were excited to talk about Learning Inner Beauty through Jesus Christ.  We gave them the video Our Heavenly Father’s Plan and were able to set up another appointment for tomorrow.

May 16, 2012 – Wednesday

We went back to the hospital for the last infusion of Iron this morning; Sister Oakley is glad about that.  She says that she doesn’t really feel any difference, not yet anyway.  Pray for her that this Iron will give her a little more energy, she needs it.

After the infusion we went to JS house and gave them another lesson on commandments.  When we asked if they have been reading the scriptures together and praying together they said they haven’t.  We were really disappointed and encouraged them to do so.  We gave Mrs. JM a how to quit smoking instruction and went over Baptism and authority again and asked if they would go to church with us on Sunday.  They agreed to go to church and we are to pick them up at 9:40 Sunday and give them a ride to church.  

JS has bad eyesight, so we ordered him an extra-large print copy of the Book of Mormon, but that only came as a triple combination.  When we left his house we went by the post office and it was in the mail – so we took it to him. J

May 15, 2012 – Tuesday

Today is transfers in Nashville.  We drove to Morgantown and picked up Elder and Sister Peterson and they rode to Nashville with us.  We really enjoy being around this couple.  We first went to the fireside where the new missionaries are introduced and those going home are presented.  It’s always a spiritual experience, and then we (the senior couples and those missionaries going home) eat together.  Then we get the opportunity to go to the Temple. It’s always so special to go to the temple. Our son Robert brought our temple clothes to us when he visited, and it was so nice to be able to use our own Temple clothes.  Going with all the seniors and the missionaries that are going home is always so spiritual.  One of the missionaries going home got quite a surprise; his family flew in and didn’t let him know.  When he approached the Temple he saw his mother and said, “Mom, what are you doing here?” It’s against the rules in the white handbook – he didn’t want to break the rules. J   We didn’t get home until after 9:00 pm, but it was wonderful.

May 14, 2012 – Monday

Today is our preparation day, but we did have to go for another Iron injection for Sister Oakley.  The nurse put the IV in her left hand and after the infusion was done she attempted to leave the catheter in.  We went to the store and Sister Oakley complained of it hurting a lot, so we pulled it ourselves and found that it had infiltrated. The whole top of her hand was quite swollen and it was even swollen up into her wrist, I’m glad we pulled it.  We put ice on her hand all that day, that night, and the next night.  It’s still swollen and I’m writing this blog ten days later! 

Mission Journal

May 13, 2012 – Sunday

WH came to church, we’re so excited.  Also EM came, we have tried to catch him at home since we came to Kentucky and this was the first time we met him.  In priesthood class he said he was sorry that he had become inactive.  He blames the poor behavior of his grandchildren on his own lack of teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is Mothers Day and the sisters got a live plant for Mothers Day.  Sister Oakley and I stayed  in this afternoon, it is raining, and Sister Oakley talked to some of the kids and two of her friends from Allen. All  in all a good Mothers Day.

May 12, 2012 – Saturday

We were at the hospital again this morning for the third infusion, then we drove to TH house expecting to give a lesson, but they weren’t at home.  Next we drove to a referral we received from the Celebrate the Child event.  They were also not home, so we drove to RR’s house.  We gave them a short lesson and listened to them.  They are such a great people and we have learned to love them.  We admonished them to come to church, I hope they do.  Next we drove to WH house.  He didn’t want us to come inside but promised us he would be at church tomorrow.

May 11, 2012 – Friday

We spoke to a lady at the post office again today.  She hasn’t yet watched the DVD we gave her; I pray that she will.  We drove to several places in Ohio County and didn’t find anyone at home.  It would be a lot easier to see people if they would just answer their phones.

May 10, 2012 – Thursday

The second infusion of iron was due today, so we went to the hospital.  The infusion nurse is a very interesting person.  She is someone who lovers her family very much, so we gave her a copy of “The Family: A Proclamation To The World.”  We also gave her a copy of the DVD about the plan of salvation.

May 9, 2012 – Wednesday

District meeting was held in Morgantown today.  Elder and Sister Peterson had lunch for us.  We have enjoyed having them in our district.  Elder Peterson gave the spiritual message and Sister Oakley and Elder Robinson gave the lesson.  We spent some time with the Petersons at their apartment after district meeting was over.  They are some inspiring people.

May 8, 2012 – Tuesday

Sister Oakley started her first Iron supplement infusion this morning.  It looks like they are pumping motor oil through an IV.  It takes four hours to infuse and Sister Oakley said it burned a little.

We were a little late getting to JS’s house today.  He said he heard a car drive into his driveway and left the garden hoping it was us, I’m glad he is able to say that.  When we got there five minutes later he was ready to participate in the lesson.  We talked about some of the commandments of God.  Mrs. JS said she is having trouble quitting tobacco, but she has been surprised by how she is able to slow down coffee and tea.  JS said he thought he would just quit chewing.  We committed them to pray and read the Book of Mormon together.

After leaving JS house we drove to WH home.  He was going to JS with us except he wasn’t at church Sunday and was having trouble with his own testimony.  We stopped by and met with him for over an hour.  He promised to be at church next Sunday.

May 7, 2012 – Monday

We took BL and WE to the senior citizen center today.  We were able to meet some of the people who go there all of the time and had a good morning.  We’re hoping that the two of them will become friends and support each other after we leave Kentucky.  We had lunch at the center and then we went home and cleaned our house.

May 6, 2012 – Sunday

Fast and Testimony meeting was truly inspiring today, almost every person in the chapel bore their testimony and we felt the spirit.  Even JL who never speaks gave his testimony.  One thing for sure, I know we have a Heavenly Father and He is truly the father of our spirits.  Jesus Christ is His only begotten son and through Him and only through Him is it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father.  If that is what we really want – We will follow His commandments.  We will follow Jesus Christ.  We will keep the Sabbath day holy and go to church. We will pay our tithing.  We will serve others willingly.  We will do our best to be like Jesus Christ.

May 5, 2012 – Saturday

Sometimes it takes a day to recover from long trips; today we rested.

May 4, 2012 – Friday

We went to Clarksville for Zone meeting.  Clarksville is one and a half hour drive from Hartford.  On our way home we stopped at a farm that said “Fresh Strawberries.”  We followed the sign for over a mile, and then we realized it was a Amish farm.  I took a few pictures.

May 3, 2012 – Thursday

BL wasn’t at church on Sunday so we went to her house to check on her.  Part of her problem is a feeling of hurt and anger with an inactive member of the branch.  We discussed a talk given by President Monson about forgiveness.  We assured her that our Father in Heaven loves her, but He expects her to forgive.  When she is willing to forgive she will receive the blessing of obeying that commandment.

May 2, 2012 – Wednesday

We had district meeting in Leitchfield today. District meeting is something we always look forward to, always 

Mission Journal

May 1, 2012 – Tuesday

Sister Oakley had a doctor’s appointment this morning.  He told her that her iron level is very low and has scheduled her for several IV iron injections as soon as the insurance ok’s it.

We were able to meet with JS and his wife this afternoon.  We taught them the Word of Wisdom lesson.  JS said that he doesn’t smoke; don’t see anything wrong with an occasional beer once in a while.  He doesn’t drink coffee or tea, but he enjoys his chewing tobacco and he’s not going to quit.  Mrs. JS said her failures are coffee, tea, and smoking.  When I asked her which she thinks she could quit first, she said smoking.  Then she said to Sister Oakley, “I don’t see . . . well . . . if drinking coffee, tea, and smoking is a sin . . . well, I guess I’ve answered my own question.”  We really like this humble lady; she said she wanted to go to church with us on the 13^th. I pray that it works out, but I think we have a long way to go with Mr. JS.

CH’s grandmother called as we were still with JS and said that we were under thunderstorm and tornado watch.  I told her that if we had to we would hunker down with her so she said come on.  When we got there CH was angry with his grandmother and refused to come out of his room.  We discussed with her about some of the sisters of the branch, now that she is the Relief Society President; she had come a long way in the past few months.  Then we showed her a video we had planned to show her grandson, about agency.  We had a good meeting with her.

When we left CH’s house I asked Sister Oakley if she would be OK with stopping at JR’s house if her car was in her driveway.  She, many years ago was the Relief Society President of this little branch, but because of hurt feelings stopped going to church.  Please, anyone reading this blog, don’t let anyone – no matter who they are – come between you and your Heavenly Father, they’re not worth it.  If someone hurts your feelings, go to them and tell them.  If there is no way it can be resolved – sit on the other side of the chapel – but don’t ever stop worshiping Heavenly Father and Jesus.  Don’t ever stop going to church and don’t ever stop keeping your covenants that you have made with God! Anyway, we had a nice meeting with JR, and she agreed to go with us to teach non-members lessons.  I call that a success.

April 30, 2012 – Monday

We went to RR’s house this morning.  RR is scheduled for a colonoscopy and his wife has broken her kneecap and can’t drive her car at this time.  Sister Oakley stayed with Mrs. RR and I drove him to the hospital and back.  His procedure went well and we were able to teach them a short lesson before we came home, but this took most of the day.  We were able to do a little house keeping in the late afternoon.

Brother Pieper came over with 55 referrals we were able to get from the Celebrate the Child event.  He said that Sister Pieper will teach a lesson on parenting, and that he would teach a lesson on Genealogy and the remaining 25 people who wanted to know more about Jesus would be ours to teach.

April 29, 2012 – Sunday

After church we visited with two of the inactives that we have been working with.  Neither came to church today. L  WE said that her back was hurting so badly that she couldn’t come today, so we gave her a lesson and told her we would pray for her.  She said that she was calling her doctor sometime this week.

Next we visited WH.  He has a friend named Tim that we haven’t met.  Tim is not helpful as far as rescuing WH is concerned.  WH was reading the first part of 2 Nephi and said he stopped reading because of the prophecy about Joseph Smith.  We went through these prophecies with him and reassured him that prophecies are throughout the scriptures, and they are there to help us understand the will of God. We will keep working with this wonderful man, and I pray that he will feel the spirit in his life.

April 28, 2012 – Saturday

This morning we met the Piepers at the High School along with the Missionaries from Leitchfield and Morgantown.  We finished getting the room ready and then the children started coming in.  I was at the first station with the cotton balls; Elder and Sister Peterson were helping the children with the butterfly picture frames,

Sister Oakley was helping with the butterfly tree, Brother Pieper was helping them through the most beautiful creation box, Sister CD was handing out pictures of Jesus, and the Elders from Leitchfield were outside getting people to come inside the room.  Later, as needed we all changed stations and it was a lot of fun.  At one time I was helping the children through the most beautiful creation box and a little girl about five years old came through.  I heard he mother call her by name and say, “Come on, let’s go.” I peeped into the box and the little girl was looking at herself in the mirror and said, “But Mamma, I’m the most beautiful creation God has ever made!”

There were other organizations all over the school doing different thing to “Celebrate the Child” but we were too busy to go out and see what they were doing.  This has turned out to be the greatest event in Ohio County.  Brother Pieper told us that we have over 55 referrals of one kind or another – we’re excited.

April 27, 2012 – Friday

We had district meeting this morning in Leitchfield with the young Elders and Elder and Sister Peterson.  I love district meetings; we always learn so much, and Elder and Sister Peterson have brought an extra dimension – we love having them around.  Elder Peterson was a potato farmer in Idaho.  He gave a spiritual thought using the potato as an example.  As long as the potato gets nourishment it grows, but if the moisture becomes too low the top of the plant receives the moisture and the potato stops growing.  Then when the rains come, instead of the potato to just start growing as it was, it doesn’t.  It will grow from one of the eyes and cause what they call a knot.  Sometimes the knots will become as large as the potato itself.  The potato farmer gets only about one third as much money for a knotty potato as they do well formed potatoes, even though the knotty potato taste as well as any other.  So, the potato farmer has to irrigate and nourish the potato field and make sure the proper amount of moisture is in the soil.  That way the potato forms properly.  Our souls, like the potato requires constant nourishment.  We get that nourishment through reading the scriptures, obeying the commandments, and serving the Lord and our brothers and sisters.  Then our souls form properly, and the worth of a soul is much more than that of a potato.

When we got back to Hartford we went to visit Sister BL.  She has been sick for the last few weeks as well as feeling low because of an incident she had with a member that she was working with at work.  Sometimes it seems that we are our own worst enemies, at least it seems that way with

BL.  I believe that if she would be more willing to forgive she would be able to let the incident go.

We met Sister Pieper at the high school and helped her set up her room for the Celebrate the Child event they are putting on.  She started this event nineteen years ago.  She said that year they had only about sixty people show up, and last year over three thousand people came through.  I helped Brother Pieper put together a large cardboard box and decorated it with different things God has created, such as pictures of flowers, butterflies, and beautiful mountains.  Inside we put a long mirror on one of the walls.  Tomorrow we will ask the children to Enter to see the God’s Greatest Creation.  They have five stations inside their room.  First is a game with cotton balls.  The children will shoot a cotton ball and it will fall on a word, such as peaceful, loving, or something like that.  We will tell them that these things make them beautiful inside.  Second is a picture frame shaped like a butterfly.  They will be asked to write something that will make them be more like Jesus.  Third is a small shoe box they will look inside that has the manger scene of Jesus.  Forth is the table with cutout butterflies, they will be asked to write on the butterfly something they can do to be more like Jesus, and then put the butterfly on the butterfly tree. And fifth, the large box I described above.  As they leave they will receive a picture of Jesus.

April 26, 2012 – Thursday

RR and Mrs. RR bought several fruit trees and they were dying because RR has sever arthritis and Mrs. RR just broke her knew cap.  We have known this couple for several months and they are friends.  We volunteered to plant as many of these trees as we could and went over to their house and proceeded to do so.  We managed to get nine trees planted and then they took us out to eat.  It was a good day.

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.

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.