Building up the Branch

February 7, 2012
It was a good week out here in the middle of no man's land, not too much went on though but it was still a great week. We have a lot of fun and interesting families out here in the Chillicothe Branch and its been fun going to their houses for dinners. Luckily, they are helpful with picking us up in town and taking us out to their houses which are sometimes 20 miles away. We found 4 new investigators this week through our own finding efforts and they are pretty cool people. The next step is getting the branch to really help fellowship and stay missionary minded.

This young family moved here from Utah back in October and we had dinner with them this past week. As we were visiting with them, I felt like I was talking to my brother Scott and his wife Katie but with 2 kids running around! It was kind of fun to feel like I have a substitute brother out here and have a small piece of home with me. Another family moved here from Utah around that same time and the mom went on a mission which is awesome because she really helps out with team ups and keeping the branch excited to have missionaries.

A couple of exciting experiences this week happened though. One of our new investigators we met outside her house, when we went back for our appointment, we taught her inside her house. Well, when we walked into the front door, we were surrounded by nats. As we walked into the living room with the couches, there were bugs EVERYWHERE! From the couches, the walls, the ceilings, the floor...it was infested. Needless to say, my companion was quiet almost the whole time as she sat praying that no bugs would crawl on her and asking the lord to work that miracle for her haha. It was interesting and a lesson/moment we will never forget. To add to it, she also lived right off of "Normal St" haha. Gotta love that irony. Another fun adventure was on Saturday it was freezing and raining...which meant no one wanted to talk to us or answer their doors. As we kept moving along, we were waiting for 4pm. At 4pm that day, we FINALLY got our TRUCK!! Our zone leaders drove it up and had to hand over the keys which they didn't want to do. It was the best part of the day :) Its cool too cause Elder Sanders is my zone leader again, he was one of them when I was out in Odessa so its comforting having a friend out here in this zone.

Sunday was our first experience with the Chillicothe Branch for testimony meeting. A lot of kids got up and bore their usual testimonies which was pretty cool, love when kids get up that courage to talk in front of everyone. Sadly, not many people got up and there was a lot of silence. My companion bore her testimony about how we are here to do the work and we pray that everyone can use us for helping spread the gospel. The lady who went on her mission who moved here from Utah talked about how grateful she was for the branch having missionaries which was awesome :) Sunday afternoon we taught Justin, Carissa and their friend Carl (who is way awesome and totally humble). We had a team up come with, a return missionary who is awesome and a perfect fellowship for the guys. It was good to see everyone getting along and building that friendship because the Justin and Carl are so open to the gospel. We watched the Prophet of the Restoration because on Monday we went to visit the Independence Visitor Center and the Liberty Jail. Justin and Carl were asking lots of questions and even remembered Joseph's brothers name, Alvin, who died in the movie. They are really awesome guys who are trying to change their life so their kids don't lead the same life they did.

Apparently Sunday was also Super Bowl Sunday which meant no one was wanting us at their house and those that we would talk to wouldn't be totally coherent. We went home to see the Sperry's counters loaded with chips, salsa, wings, brownies...there is nothing wrong with living with members I tell ya! Plus the Sperry's are so wonderful, they stay up till 9 or 9:30 to make sure we get home safe and always ask how the work is or how the day went. They have a 28 year old son who was born with spinabifita (spelling?) and they take care of him everyday, they are the most amazing people out here and we get the privilege to live with them. Its amazing.

Yesterday we took Carissa, her son Malakai (2yrs old), Justin, his son Drake (2yrs old) and Carl down to visit the sites for the day. It was a really amazing experience out at the Independence Visitor center because we took them through a presentation about eternal families. They guys were talking about their life, going from foster home to foster home, being in prison and the struggles that they went through. As they came out of that presentation they were so open and had smiles on their faces. Justin expressed his appreciation for bringing them their and it was such an awesome time. Down at the Liberty Jail, the kids were tired and Carissa was stressed about her boy and coming down from medication. It was sad to see her not so interested and getting impatient but the guys all continued to express appreciation. By the end of the trip, Justin didn't want to have a cigarette with Carl or Carissa which was so awesome. He kept saying earlier how he really wants to quit smoking and we are praying that him learning more about the gospel helps him quit.

Overall, I know that the Lord sent Sister Barnum and I here for a reason. We have our work cut out for us here but it is a special place here in Chillicothe with some truly amazing people. My testimony has grown so much about the Atonement changing people and how as we learn more about Jesus Christ, we learn more about our own potential. Many people don't see their own potential and that may be my favorite part within the gospel because it has helped me personally grow into something I never thought I could become. I pray that people here in Chillicothe will open their hearts to our message so they can have that same kind of experience. I love you all muchoooo and miss you even more.

With love,

Sista Larson