September 5, 2016

Hey yall. It has been a very good week, productive week. Probably the most noteworthy thing that happened this week is the first baptism on my mission. Tammy Littlejohn, one of the sisters' investigators, was baptized a couple days ago. Besides the fact that the baptism started late, it went really well. I was sitting next to Sherri Spake, a recent convert, during the baptism. She is quite possibly the most bubbly person I have ever met. She spent most of her life in a Baptist church, so whenever you sit next to her in meetings in church, you always hear quiet amens and hallelujahs. She actually reminds me of my sister, Catherine, plus about 60 years. 

Another item worthy of note is Bryson Addy. He is really the only progressing investigator that we are teaching right now, and he really wants to be baptized, but his dad won't let him. Basically, we have asked him to pray, study the scriptures, and fast yesterday so that he can prepare to ask his dad himself. We promised him that this would go a long ways to toward softening his dad's heart. That is actually what I spent yesterday fasting for. Prayers on his behalf would go a long way.

There have been many who have sent me emails to warn me about Hurricane Hermine. I really appreciate the concern. I was actually really surprised when all that we got in Gaffney was a thirty minute rainstorm. With 20 mph winds. In all seriousness, all we had to do was talk to a member on their porch and we stayed pretty dry. Granted, the rainstorms here are a lot bigger than out West. This one happened to be big enough that the drains on the Spencers' roof couldn't handle all of the water. Most of it spilled off of the top. But it still wasn't near as bad as I was expecting. 

Last night we went to the Devaney's house for a visit. Just by way of background, the Devaneys are a young family with three kids. There oldest child is named Jewel. She is five, and is the sweetest little girl I have ever met. Every time we see her in church, we compliment her dress, to which she says "Thanks" and promptly twirls. Anyhow, when we went to go visit last night, she gave a painting of a flower garden that she made. It is my favorite gift from a member so far, and so we hung it up on the wall. 

I hope you all are doing well and really wish I had time to email all of you individually. I love yall!