It is crazy that another transfer has come and gone. Elder Petersen and I were talking last night about the beginning of our missions compared to now, and it is amazing the difference. The beginning of missions can be really hard and lonely, but they are also so fun and new! Everything you encounter is new, you have a lot more time to learn and study, and you're just beginning to become a missionary. It was hard, but also one of the best times of my life! The people back in Exeter were so great! There were some amazing members in the Ward who changed my life forever, as well as those like C. and S. who got baptized who are both just incredible, and many others who I got to meet, who learned about and are still learning about the Church, who I love so much! The missionaries I served around were also great examples and friends. I'm so grateful for the chance to serve! :)
This week has gone well! We taught some amazing families, one who especially made me happy. That was R. I met him a few months back when on exchange with Elder Hall. He is in his 20's, really likes bass in his car, and loves to joke around. We taught him some and he seemed interested, but didn't respond to texts or calls. Elder Bester and I saw him once, but it had been a while. We decided to stop by this week and he was surprised to see us! We joked around for a while to get reacquainted, then read 1 Nephi 1 with him. Part way through, a 16 year-old cousin walked in. He was surprised to see people reading scriptures in his house, and said he hadn't read them, but asked what we do and then we were able to get him to finish the chapter with us! Then as we were closing up, another cousin who is 17 walked in! She had met us before and we were able to teach her some and have her say the closing prayer! We scheduled a solid return appointment, and then as we left, R. followed us outside. His countenance had changed from how it was when we first got there and he thanked us for teaching his cousins. He was a little emotional and said he had had Jesus Christ in his life before and needed to get back to it, but that those two hadn't. He was so grateful we taught then about it while making it cool and fun. It is awesome to see how the gospel really does bless families and bring happiness!
C. came to church and seems to be doing well! We are so blessed to be teaching her! We're also planning on going to the temple this week with M! She got her Temple Recommend and were going to shoot for the 11th! When she came out of her interview she joked around with is and said, "I passed the test!" :) She usually is more reserved, so it was fun to see her crack a joke!
A., the man who is a member and had stopped coming to church for the last year or two, came to church for his second week in a row, and he dressed up in a sweet suit this time! He was looking good! It is cool to see how people change so much just by living the gospel! I love the quote, "A suit doesn't make a man, but it can greatly improve his appearance." :) The suit didn't make him, it was the gospel back in his life that made A... but the suit did make him look spiffy!
Elder Petersen and I are staying together this transfer which will be sweet! We're hoping we stay next transfer as well, as it is right before Christmas! President Blair has tried to start working on that one to minimize changes right before the holiday, but he wouldn't tell us until that week anyway, so we'll see! It would be the first time for both of us that we would have a companion for three transfers.
This week we've had a big emphasis on the Book of Mormon for some reason, and I just wanted to testify that I know the Book of Mormon is true! You just have to read it.
Love you all!
Elder Hunter Branch :)
We had breakfast at our apartment with the other Elders in our district this morning. Elder Spadafora is leaving (sad face)
