Hurricane Warnings!

Many of you may have heard that a little storm blew through the Eastern States.  We had some crazy rain and wind for almost two weeks straight.  What made it more interesting though was the fact that we bike and walk every other week.  It was a fun experience to say the least.  My companion got new shoes the week prior and got so many blisters! I felt so bad. 

The week itself was good.  We were able to befriend a few less active ladies who feel lonely, and LOVED that we stopped by.  One of them said, "Now you know you MUST call me if you EVER need a ride anywhere!"  It was so precious.  People need to feel like they have a place; like they have something to contribute.  That is when they will open up and the spirit will be able to touch their hearts.  Sister Petersen and I aren't here to condemn, guilt trip or set unreasonable expectations.  We are here to love, serve and invite people to come closer to Christ.  When paired with promptings and inspiration, there will always be feelings of love there.

Tuesday was a fabulously busy day.  Those days are always my favorite.  I feel more successful.  We had lunch with a less active lady, went and saw a part member family who made us some yummy pumpkin oat cookies (yes they were good), and later that evening saw a sweet woman who is returning to church.  We had gotten caught in the rain that evening and luckily our dinner appointment drove us to our next lesson.  We have been teaching a woman who is Indian descent but Christian.  She is always excited when we come over and said she would have an 'Indian treat' for us that she cooks.  Unfortunately when we arrived she was leaving and said she had to cancel and had texted us earlier about it.  We didn't get it and had to leave- but that happens in missionary life.  Sadly quite often, but I have gotten good at having back ups at the ready!  It just stinks when A...B...C...and D all fall through also.  And then it starts raining. HA!  IT all builds character ;)  At least I will have dates planned back at school and always have a back up...JUST KIDDING.  I make myself laugh.

Waiting for the dreaded flu shot!

We also got a hurricane warning this week.  Our Zone Leaders called and told everyone to:  1. Fill up our Car  2. Charge our phone  3. Get 30$ in cash  4. Have our emergency buckets ready to go.
Problem...we don't have the car, I have no monies, and my hurricane bucket was left in a previous area.  So Sister Petersen and I start racing around the kitchen throwing together ramen, almonds, tuna, soup, granola bars, oats, hygiene things, clothes, etc.  We were a whirlwind of commotion.  We were then told to get flashlights, water, and extra food.  Our dinner appointment had just cancelled on us and we were going to get a ride to the store with them.  So we reached out to a member we are really close to (she and I are like kindred spirits) and she took us to WalMart to get some stuff.  Emergency Essentials!  She also fed us dinner afterwards, drove us home in the rain, and came to a lesson with one of our investigators.  She is SO great.  I love her. 

We got some texts from a sweet couple who has adopted us as their grandchildren making sure we had all the necessities. They ended up bringing us over some banana bread and soda to make us feel better.  Sometimes I want to cry because members just care SO much about us. I feel so indebted to them at times.  But they are trying to serve just as I am.  We are all on the Lord's errand.

We had a really great lesson with our family of 4 we have been teaching.  They have gotten through the first 3 lessons and said they want to work towards being baptized.  I want them to progress so badly.  I feel a yearning for them to experience what I have felt because of the gospel- and what I have seen my family become because of the blessings received.  We love them and are so grateful that we are trusted enough by the Lord to teach His precious children. 

Conference this weekend was AMAZING!  I can't even place if I had a favorite talk or not.  But I can say that all 10 questions I brought to conference were answered Specifically and Directly.  I was so humbled by the fact that the Lord cared enough to answer me through his Servants.  I loved being able to see 3 new apostles called and sustained and I loved being able to feel the spirit as each of them spoke. 

Watching conference with the Spagnolo Family!

 

Saturday night we contacted a man who was a Baptist Deacon and had no qualms in telling us we had better be careful what we are preaching - because if we didn't we knew where we were going.  I was able to use several Bible verses and have a lively conversation with him in which neither one of us swayed.  Poor little Sister Petersen had no idea what to do. But it is scary when someone bashes on the things you love and cherish.  I was so high on Conference that I laughed a few times when he denounced our principles and Book of Mormon verses.  We left and I was confident and happy to be a member of this church.

It is true.  This is real.
I love you all!
Love Sister Golden:)