Hello Everyone!
Another week has passed and now we are in the month of April. Exactly one year ago, I was getting transferred from Corning to Utica. It seems like forever ago.
This week did go better. We had some good lessons and I found a handful of new people. We also had General Conference and I was reunited with my love.. Stewart's Ice Cream! Potsdam has also stated to grow on me, it is just so pretty. Once it gets green it is going to be breath taking. Unfortunately, the bugs will also be breath taking. Apparently ticks and beetles are a huge problem in the spring. Yikes!
We started this week on Monday with the usual P-day activities, I also did an Insanity workout with some women in the ward. My calves were sore until Friday. Ha ha. Not good. But, we had some funny experiences that day. We tracted along a lake, with the cabins and met a lady named Moriene and she said we could come back. We hope to teach her this week! We also saw our friend Al. He is doing great and is giving up coffee. Al knows the Church is true and has a greater desire to live the covenant path than his recently reactivated girlfriend. Crossing our fingers that we can strengthen their faith to get them to be married. Al is a great guy and I would love to see them be able to be sealed in the temple. We then had to walk the streets of Norwood at 8 pm in the rain. Nobody was outside except for a few Masons that were leaving some kind of a lodge meeting. We went over, said hello, complemented their patriotic ties and now we are going to start meeting with one of the leaders of that group once a week. Pretty interesting guy. I feel like I am in part of a National Treasure Movie when we talk with him. j We will see where it goes, but I did have some Norwood pie at the local cafe (the only one in town) before heading in and that was good.
Tuesday was also fun. We headed over to Sunny Canton on the college campus of OYM and met with college students. It was scary at first and slightly intimidating. We got through it and actually met some really nice young college girls and hopefully we can see them more in the future. President loves the idea of us and the Elders finding college kids on campus, so that is what we are trying to do. I actually had fun, and we will be planning on doing it again in the future. We then left the college and headed to a members to help them clean and move out. The house was built in 1850 and it was pretty sweet to see the architectural details inside. Most houses in Canton are from the 1800's. If only most people took care of them, upstate New York would look so classy! We then picked up a new investigator named Tracey. She is nice and has unique views on religion but her kids want to know God, so she is willing to learn. Not to bad. Also chatted with Anita who is a very cute older lady that has been investigating for a long time. she was sick and hurt her back, so we had to stick to phone lessons to talk with her all week. We then also had an awesome less active lesson with Bro Murray. Spirit was so strong, and he has the desire to come back to church and he is living everything, he just got out of the habit. I am excited to keep teaching him. He might be one of my favorite less actives.
Liz is also one of our most solid investigators, and she just befriended a lady in the ward and was introduced to Sisters in March. She just gave birth to her little daughter yesterday. But before that, we were able to still teach her twice. She has strong desire to know Christ more and also to be accepted and have a future. j We hope that we can get her baptized in May of June. That would be sweet.
Jessica, is my favorite person in the area. We just picked her up this week. Divorced Mom who is looking for that connection to God, but hasn't fount it in other churches. She feels the Spirit, keeps commitments and wants to meet frequently and looks like a member and has the cutest home and kids. I am so excited to keep teaching her. I had a good Book of Mormon Lesson last night. I really love her so much.
We are also teaching Karena, who was also a solid Mom, but she just dropped us this morning for no reason. She does not want to see us anymore. So sad, we were having good lessons, but last time she brought up polygamy concerns and thought we were FLDS. :( She's been looking up the wrong things. Gonna have to put her back into the Lord's Hands.
Thursday we had District Meeting in Ogdensburg. I SAW CANADA! :) It was pretty sweet! We had a good spiritual meeting in a tiny branch building (Stage 1 & 2 I think). We then went out to lunch at a grill and had Canada Fries. It is kinda weird in the North country, because half of the radio stations are French Canadian (we tried to find General Conference on the radio for someone and that's how we found out). We teach a few people that always say "eh!" We then saw Gary and Trevor later. Investigators that have a loonnggg way to go, but it was good to finally meet them.
Friday we ran around with planning and library service and seeing our investigators. We also had to fill the font for the Massena Elders, they had a baptism.
Saturday and Sunday was mostly General Conference in the Potsdam Chapel. the themes of the temple, humility, service, kindness and focusing on the Savior really stood out. I enjoyed the talks on the Restoration of the Priesthood and lost truths. People are struggling with their faith and their lives , so the Church is counteracting with helping us see that when we help others, we help the Savior, who in turn heals us spiritually. "Jesus is the World's greatest leader, because He is also the best follower". Priesthood Session. The only time, a tear was able to get squeaked out was when Elder Kernon spoke about the refugees Sunday afternoon. I don't know why, maybe it was the accent, or maybe just the power of the message, but I really like how the church is trying to help the world and love people of other faiths and cultures, when the world is becoming more hateful and full of prejudice. I am excited to find ever more ways to serve after my mission, because service is an eternal principle.
I know that the Church is true and that we have inspired leaders, called of God. I love them and if everyone would just watch conference, then how could anyone deny the goodness and the truthfulness of the Church?
I am grateful for my family and for my faith.
FIND WAYS TO APPLY CONFERENCE THIS WEEK! :) Application brings wisdom and understanding.
Love,
Sister Kylie Williams
