Hello Everyone!
It is amazing how much serving a mission changes you, and I think Manchester has changed me the most. I've been here for 5 transfers (7.5 months) just like my first area. In other places I have learned a lot more about the scriptures, about how to talk to people and things like that. Here in Manchester I have learned a lot about what really matters in life, how to fit the basics into a busy schedule, and how to be a leader. There are so many things and people that I'll miss in Manchester as well as around the mission, but I'm excited for new opportunities.
I'm heading up to Ellsworth Maine! It is on the coast, includes Acadia national park and bar harbor, and is going to be awesome! I'll be training a new missionary there who will be arriving on Wednesday, so neither of us will know the area. I'll also be serving as a district leader with three other sets of Elders in my district, so it is going be to an exciting transfer!!! :) I'm excited to have a lot more time to focus on the people we have to teach and serve. I've got some ambitious goals for rest of my mission. (Also, to follow up, a couple months ago I said I wanted to run a mile under 6 minutes. Life got busy so we didn't get to run for a long time, but we have been again and I ran a 5:48 this week)
This week was good, lots less time to work, but we found some people and had G., D., and B. at church again! They really liked it and are excited to come again next week! B. is doing really well and has a ton of potential. He likes how church feels peaceful and he is reading in the Book of Mormon! He understands that coming back to God and making changes in his life are important.
There was a baptism of an awesome family in the Bedford Ward this week, and we had our little friend D. come, as well as their family friends who we're teaching, R. (23) and his little brother D. (5). R. really liked the baptism and although he couldn't make it to church this week, he is really excited to come next! :)
The baptism was of a family named the F.'s who were found my first week in Manchester at the fourth of July parade. They have learned a lot, given up coffee and tea, and were almost ready to be baptized when they called it off (this was in December.) They liked the people, but didn't know if the Church was true. They decided to keep learning from the missionaries, but to go look at other churches. They said none of the others felt right. The family has a little 8 year-old daughter who LOVED the Book of Mormon. Every night she'd carry it out to the family and have them read before bed. As the daughter did this, the family was touched and had the spirit tell them the Book was true. They then were baptized this week. It is AMAZING the impact a little 8 year-old girls had on her family, and will for generations to come. :)
Love you all and have a great week,
Elder Branch :)
=D
Guy crashed us.
We had a green light and he was in left lane.
We were driving in the right lane and he accelerated into back side of our truck.
