EVERY ONE

FAM AND FRIENDS!

 

We had another great week here in Ventura!  I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with Sister Stoker.. This is her last transfer, so she knows what she's doing!  I learned so much from her, especially about what it means to fight to share the gospel. She doesn't give up on any one and is super, super persistent. My exchange goal was to talk to EVERY ONE, no matter what, and as a result we found two new investigators with great interest in the Book of Mormon. Megan and Helen!! We did a lot of finding this week, especially on Sister Morrison's b-day. Our celebration was knocking doors!! Haha. We also met Kevin.. he is the definition of a  Californian.. sponsored surfer,  says gnarly every other word, but he seemed super interested. He had a lot of mormon friends in high school and said he's been offered a book of mormon, but said no. Now he's been thinking a lot about his purpose in life and everything, so we're excited about that!

We also got Danni's baptism organized and she had her interview last night! She is so prepared. Her baptism will be May 10th, so her family can be there. Seth (her BF from the ward) will be baptizing her!!

Robert decided he wants to meet with us again! He explained to us that he wants to be baptized, but he wants to be devoted 100%.. he's really taking it seriously, which is a good sign! This week we talked a bit about the Plan of Salvation.. he loves it because his mom recently passed and expressed that would bring him so much comfort knowing how he can be with his family for eternity. Sister Morrison and were able to share that the gospel and the plan of happiness is not too good to be true.. it's not just something that's nice to think about, but that we truly do have that opportunity to live with our families and our father in heaven. He asked a lot of questions about our life style and why we have certain commandments, such as the word of wisdom. He really, really loves mormon.org and the book of mormon! He expressed to us that he KNOWS Joseph Smith is a prophet.

We met with Tony again! We had a great lesson with the Colvin's from our ward. Brother Colvin was recently baptized and sister Colvin also has dealt with smoking. We have decided to read the Book of Mormon with him to help him better understand. He has that desire to be baptized, he just needs to overcome his smoking. Please keep him in your prayers!

We meet with a lot of less- active members again this week.. and two of them came to church yesterday, which was great!! We also had the opportunity to participate in the mormon helping hands in helping clean up a middle school.. it was a blast.

 

I truly love this work more and more each week and I love the people! I think that's my favorite part.. just hearing peoples stories and how they have come to develop their relationship with Christ .. how they have found their faith in him. Something I'm learning each week is the importance of seeing divine potential in every one and who they can become through the gospel and Christ's perfect atonement. I'm learning how to apply the atonement as a missionary and I'm quickly seeing how that's affecting my relationship with my savior. Sharing the gospel is the BEST.. I wish I took more opportunities to do it back home. You never know who could use your testimony..even if they are a baptized member of the church! Well, I love you all!! Thanks for all the support and encouragement and packages too!!!

 

SISTA JAMES