Week 32

First! Here is a picture of the family that was baptized only a few weeks after I left Poplar Bluff. Sad I couldn't be there, but so happy for them. Sister Reed was there to represent...she had called to let me know that this family was getting baptized and sent me a few pictures. Hurray!

So, I'm quite sad. One of the companion goals Sister Nelson and I set this week was to try to take at least 1 fun photo every day this week. So I actually took pictures this week! ...and then I left my camera at home today. Very sad. Guess that just means that you'll have extra pictures next week!

This week felt like it went quite quickly, so I'm having a hard time actually remembering what happened... It's kind of a blur. Here are the main things that happen almost daily:

1. Visiting less active members, either ones that we have appointments with or trying to get into contact with ones that we have yet to meet. We taught seven lessons to less active members this week, so it was a good week for that. Now to get them back to church!

2. Tracting and contacting potential investigators. We are trying to find, find, find. Finding people to teach is probably one of the biggest parts of missionary work. It is so important. We have to find those people who will accept the gospel message for themselves.

3. Teaching investigators. We currently have five investigators, we found a young woman this week who had taken some of the lessons before. We think we might have to drop a couple of them though if they don't start either keeping commitments or showing some more interest in the church. Dropping an investigator is one of the hardest things on a mission, but it's necessary. Sometimes it is not the right time for someone to learn about the gospel. They need to have more time, or more experience, or whatever.

4. Visiting active members. This could be dinner appointments, or families that the ward council has asked us to focus on, or visiting members to support and strengthen them in their missionary efforts!

So, 1-4 was our week. Pretty fun stuff :) We also had a Dollar Tree expedition to get some things for our apartment... I wish I had brought my camera. So sad that I forgot it, but next week! you shall see our Dollar Tree finds :)

Yesterday, we also had a chance to teach Young Women's. Man, it feels like forever since I was in Young Women's! I could barely remember how to recite the theme, I felt a little embarrassed actually. But the lesson part went pretty well. We talked about modern prophets, and in particular about the push for more missionary work :)

Our zone is doing a Book of Mormon challenge this transfer, to read the entire Book of Mormon in 34 days. 15 pages a day. So, I have started the Book of Mormon... again! Plus I'm doing my personal study in 2 Nephi still. It's really such a privilege though, to be able to be spending 30 minutes or more a day studying just out of the Book of Mormon. My testimony of the truthfulness and power that comes from the Book of Mormon grows deeper the more I read it. There is definitely a sense of peace that comes as I learn more and read through it. And really, gaining a testimony and conviction about the Book of Mormon is what will give you a solid foundation in the gospel. I'm so grateful that I can read it and study it over and over again.

Anyway, I hope that everyone is having a good week! Love you all!

Sister Barret