Week 94--Great people!

Hi, friends and family!

Let me tell you about some people here in Joplin.

Becky - She is well grounded in the gospel. We're in the process of getting her acquainted with everyone in the ward she hasn't met. She has asked Bishop to baptize her, he said it would be an honor.

Mary - She has a hard time accepting the Plan of Salvation, we had a long discussion about the fall, and she eventually was able to see that what we were teaching what she believed, but because it was in a different perspective, she didn't understand all at first. She explained how she knows that what we're teaching is out of our love for her. I'm glad she understands that.

Lila - We moved our baptismal date with Lila to late January, so she has time for the routine to work out, that we are doing with her.

Diane's Family - This is a family of about 10 people, we taught the plan of salvation this week and they loved it. They said the Book of Mormon is already answering a lot of their questions. We invited them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. They said yes. We asked if January 27th was okay, the mother said yes. We'll keep following up with everyone else.

Jacoby - We met Jacoby biking, and asked if we could share our message with him, s we meet him at the library once or twice a week. We taught him a little bit one time, and then the restoration. He is very receptive.

Adam - He is from a part member family, he has a lot of questions because of things he's heard about our beliefs. We got deeper with him than we usually do, but the spirit was there, and we were teaching what he needed to hear.

Rashad - We met him tracting. He also is quite receptive. He in fact had heard much about the Book of Mormon and some of the teachings of the church. He talked about Lehi's family leaving Jerusalem, I was impressed by his knowledge. Most people who say they did research didn't use the best sources. He said "If this is something that will add to my power in Jesus, then I'll do it."

Sarah - She's been reading a lot, and we taught her the plan of Salvation this week.She believed it all before we taught her, and she said she wants to tell her preacher all about it.

Naomi - Naomi is an older lady, we taught her the restoration Sunday afternoon. Before she wouldn't accept a Book of Mormon, but this time not only did she accept the Book of Mormon, but in her prayer she said, "Let me know if this path is one I should follow, yes! The answer is Yes," she said in her prayer, and continued by praying, "And I think these gentlemen want me to become a Mormon, so let me know if that is the right path also."

Kiele's Family - This is a family who hasn't been to church in a long time, who we found walking, and the daughter asked us if we wanted a bracelet. We're working with the mom now to get her to the temple.

Kellehers - The Kellehers are a family in our ward who made me some of my favorite food from back home, and some classic Canadian food, poutine. I love it, so nice!

Elder Rummler, Elder Rodgers and Elder McLellin enjoying treats from the Kellehers. 

Elder Rodgers said he also got Carman's Caper and poutine! 

Sounds better than a birthday!

Samantha - Sam hasn't been to church in a long time, she is a convert of about 4 years, and we talked about her conversion, and she still has a testimony, it's just that she's lost the habits she used to have.

Jay - Jay is a recent Convert of a few months. We've been meeting with him, and he passed the sacrament for the first time this Sunday! Very neat.

Other than teaching we went caroling with the youth this Wednesday which was fun, and on Saturday we donated a bunch of missionary clothes that were left behind in the apartment by missionaries previous. It was nice to both serve and get rid of he clothing.

Such a blessing to be in Joplin right now, when the people's hearts are soft, and the field is white already to harvest. (D&C 4:4)

Loves, Elder Rodgers