February 3
I have one question for you... WHY WAS I NOT IN THAT MOVIE??
Another week for the record books, and I am sure you have been following a little of what has been happening out here. If not I will inform you. First and foremost, I am alive (hence the email). It was an amazing week! So let me decleat it, if I may!
Monday was awesome as usual. P day never really does do it for me, I could go for a whole day. We were able to make it to Rob and Shay Johnson's for FHE, and they had Courtney over for a meal beforehand. We were hoping Maria was going to make it, but she got called into work. We taught the Plan of Salvation and Courtney is eating it up. He has heard it before which was awesome, the only problem is that he still needs to figure out his living situation. We will most likely (unfortunately) have to hand him to other Elders. It bites! It Feeds! It's bringing me to my knees.
Tuesday. Snowpocalypse. We had caught wind while we were shopping on Monday that some snow was coming, and we also heard from Bishop while we were at their home that evening. The last couple times we heard snow was on the way, it was a fluke. This time it delivered! We had a bomb district meeting and we listened to Jeffrey R. Holland's MTC Talk "Feed My Sheep". It is a life changer, especially for Missionaries. But afterwards, we went outside and found oodles of noodles of snow. Best day every. We did it all, snow ball fight, snow angels, didn't quite do a snowman however. If there was a mountain, I would have skied on two copies of the Book of Mormon if needs be. It seemed like the world was ending to everyone out here. People were going 5 miles an hour, when in Utah it would have been a pretty regular day. I filmed it all, so don't worry! We also went to go check out a Grocery store to see if all the bread, milk, and water was gone. Sad to say that it was still there... But we were driving home and saw this one lady stalled out on some snow and a gentleman pushing her. We felt inspired, so we pulled over in a parking lot, prayed, and sprinted over to the car. We got her over that hill, not sure what happened after that, but after a series of high fives all around, we turned around and saw a Cameraman from the Channel 11 News team filming us, and then he motioned us over for an interview. Of course I had to say "I LOVE YOU MOM!" Our one chance at the lime light! We didn't make it on TV unfortunately, there are apparently sadder stories going on that are more important. President Harding wanted us to head back to our apartments as quick as possible and hunker down. We felt the urge to get out and push cars. We threw on sweatpants underneath our slacks, and rocked the Nike's, and we set out. We pushed cars for 4 hours! Most fun I have ever had! We got to be the Tender Mercy that day for so many people. Many had to abandon cars and walk home, it was the craziest thing. We were sprinting everywhere waiting for people to start slipping! We retired home and slept a good nights sleep! I didn't think a few inches could shut a whole city down. Most of the people out here blame it on the lack of equipment as a substitute to their lack of driving prowess. Understandable, but C'mon Man! Own up to your faults. Sounded like a bunch of BYU fans if you know what I mean.
Wednesday, felt like a ghost town. Most people didn't answer doors. No one was driving. It felt so eery. We weren't allowed to use cars so we went out on foot and made calls all day. We were a little saddened that we couldn't help more people, but we did what we could with what we had.
Thursday we were carless again, and thankfully more people answered the door. We spoke to an Atheist, and they are the most pesimistic people ever. No hope at all. It's a sad way to lead a life. We also found several other good people. We had a goal to invite 2 people to baptism and to get 2 new Investigators. So we were at 2 New Gators and 1 Baptism invite, so what do you do, you pray and act! The next and last door, because it was already dark, we met a young man named Darell. He was all tatted up, and the house looked super janky. But he was a sweet guy, with 3 kids and struggling hard right now. The Gospel won't make it easier by any stretch, but it will give you hope that the dawn will break!
Friday we were finally allowed to hit the cars. We got to work the Family History Center again, and no one showed up. It turned into a browse LDS.org day. Came across some good talks and messages. There is such a wealth of knowledge on that website. We were at it again, knocking doors and talking with everyone, found some really sweet people. I am also pretty good a discerning lies. One lady acted like she was on the phone when she answered the door. Worst Acting Job Ever award goes to her. We had dinner at the Okezie's again and they are so close to coming to church! We'll get them there soon! We also found out from them that Oreo's and Milk make you fart. So, that isn't a good date idea!
Saturday we had 6 appointments, and 3 went through. 50%, we could bat the majors, or shoot free throws in the NBA (if you are Shaq). Our day started rock solid. We had Rob Johnson out again, and we were able to get a lady named Brandi on Date. She actually visited the church two weeks ago but couldn't find us because she went at 9:00 instead of 12:30. She said God led us to her the first day we met her because she was needing a prayer. Everything made sense to her and she is so full of faith. Another lady we visited was Cheri, and she wouldn't quite commit to a date, but she definitely wants the Gospel. She has her own struggles right now, but when you lean on the Lord, he will always deliver. He can't not deliver, or else he would cease to be God. After that, our next 3 appointments fell through. Allen was busy with a work conference call. Maria had to work the previous night so she was sleeping. Another gentleman named Mac wasn't home. But we were able to visit a Recent Convert, Alessandra, nearby. She is amazing too! I wish I could see some of these people before they found the Gospel. We met two very wicked men. On different doors, but they came after our first amazing appointments. Satan was trying to over throw us. We got cursed at and threatened to have the police called on us. Another door was this very crude redneck, we called him Bat Crap Crazy old man. He was talking about Wild Women, etc. And how he doesn't care about the Superbowl, he just wants to get drunk. As if you really needed a reason to get drunk my friend. The spirit was definitely not there. So we pressed onward! Had an awesome dinner at the Wiblin's and called it a day!
Sunday was awesome. I even got up to share my story about pushing cars and bearing testimony on how Christ runs to us in our time of need. It feels awesome to share what you know! Y'all should try it! It really isn't that scary. We were hoping to have 6 gators at church, but only 2 pulled through. Tyson, the 8 year old we are teaching was waving at us while we were on the stage. And Allen made it as well! He is like one foot in the font, one foot on dry ground. We had an amazing Dinner at the Sears again, and unfortunately, Brother Sears had a meeting to go to, so we didn't have our Super Bowl Steak Conference. We had Lasagna instead but it was amazing! Steak Conference will happen next Sunday! An amazing family!
So there is that my friend-holios, take it or leave it!
Through much weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, we were not able to watch the superbowl. But we were getting text updates from The Barnes's. It sounded like a real flop, and Seattle wiped the floor with the Broncos. That is the beauty of the game, any given day. Defense wins championships though! Peyton doesn't seem to show up in big games, compared to his brother Ely. I might have uttered, "GO SEAHAWKS" at one point. I did get the Superbowl package which was awesome! Thanks for all you do! Mom I am glad Mama Barnes keeps you in the Loop! Sounds like you would have never known about the Winter Death Storm. And say what?? Seahawks were the better team? Your fanhood is in question! No sandwich, bummer. I loved taking the leftovers to school! It probably was the bad omen not having it! I agree though, there is nothing good about a Fry Fest. No one walks away feeling good, physically or mentally.
And that is just about a wrap! Thank you all for the very uplifting, inspirational, and edifying messages. I am on a spiritual cloud 9! Just joking, I love the letters, it is nice to know all is well back at the Plantation. I am glad everyone is still thriving! Keep up the good work soldiers, and Continue Fighting the Good fight! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you! Have another blessed up week!
Love,
Elder Dallan Barnes
Practice makes perfect, so be careful what you practice.
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