Week 95

  Pretty incredible week here in Searcy!!  Earlier on in the week we had our big Specialized training as a Zone up in Batesville. We instructed on our Power y Authority, and how to be effective when inviting people to church! There was a lot of preparing that went into the meeting and it all went super well!  .  

   After the meeting we went on a blitz in our Area.  I went with Elder Hooker and we were able to teach a bunch of sweet people.  We went to give a guy a card and he initially said  "you'd be wasting your time".  We were pretty persistent in at least just giving him the picture of Jesus and he accepted.  We started some small talk and then starting talking about our beliefs.  He ended up being really open about everything, and when we explained about Prophets a lot of things clicked for him.  We explained him what the Book of Mormon was, and he said "why do people give y'all such a hard time?".  He asked for a copy and for us to put a bunch of chapters for him to read.  We saw him later in the week and he had read them, We discussed some things, and he asked for more chapters to read!  It's amazing what the spirit will do when people will actually do their part and have a desire to learn.  One of the Devils best tricks is convincing people to not even taste of the true gospel.  As well Elder Plaira went to see an investigator who is the husband of a recent convert.  The assistant had taught him before, and when they went to see him he had changed a lot.  He wants to be baptized and now he has a date.  We went to see him later on in the week. and he was very excited about his baptism and was asking for chapters to read and for us to come over several times a week, We are looking forward to that!  

The Group at the blitz with the one and only Freddie Green!

  Last week Bro Fitzgerald took us to help move a plastic pool for a guy and it was only going to take a few minutes.  When we got there it was already done, but we asked the guy (Kevin) if we could come by and teach him.  He said yes and that he had actually talked with missionaries a few years back.  This week we went to see him and had an awesome lesson with him, He loved the Restoration and knew of all it to be true and accepted a baptismal invitation.  Later on that night he came to Book of Mormon class.  We were able to see him several more times this week, and he loves everything that we teach!!  

  Do y'all remember the Perry family??  So earlier on in the week we went to see her and she told us that she wanted to wait to do lessons for a week and a half until her girls got out of school, but that she was still going to come to church.  We were worried especially because she was so excited about her baptism on the 28th.  Later on in the week she texted us and said how much she missed us, and the spirit that was brought into her home.  She asked if we would be able to come over the next day and if she could still be baptized next week!!  Our prayers were definitely answered with that one, and we had an awesome lesson with the Primary President with her and her daughter.  We taught the word of wisdom and she started crying, because she had just bought a new coffee pot.  It was a great sign of her dedication though, as she knew that she needed to start living this commandment.  We are super excited for he,r and we are going to be seeing them almost every day this week!  

  To put a cherry on top of all that happened this week was on Sunday!!  In the morning had a meeting and then our investigators just kept showing up to church.  Everyone that we expected to come to church made it out!  That was the first time that had happened on my mission. and in total ten investigators were able to come!!  All that came were the Mauldin's, Perry's, Kevin, Dylan, and Monica.  They all loved church, and it was great to see the fruits of all of our hard work!!  The Lord's work is progressing greatly here in Searcy and we are grateful that he trusts us as his instruments.  We are pumped for next week as we have tons of appointments set up.  Hope y'all have a great week, love y'all!!