From Bethlehem to Jerusalem July 3, 2023

 Hello Everyone 

It has been a great week! We have been working very hard this past week to get to know the area and fulfill our missionary purpose. 

We met our one friend that everyone in church has been talking about, and she is awesome. Her name is Diane and we met her last Sunday for the first time. This week we were able to teach her twice and she is amazing! ( As previously stated) The previous missionaries extended a baptismal invitation to her and I felt so blessed to be coming into the area at this time. We knew that we had to teach her the rest of the lessons, and that she hadn't been taught the Word of Wisdom yet. Members had told us about some of the things that she loved to drink, but we knew we had to teach the Word of Wisdom. So the first lesson we had with her we got to know her and asked if she believes that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. She said that Of Course she believes that Joseph Smith was a Prophet, that's why she reads the Book of Mormon! I was very happy to hear that. It was an amazing lesson and after we taught her about the Word of Wisdom she was surprised by it, but started to make plans to start living it! 

She is wonderful and I look forward to her baptism. The members are amazing with her and it feels as though they have been friends for the longest time. I'm very grateful to be here at this time.   

We also were told of this cool place that we needed to go while in Calhoun. So we made our way to the Rock Garden? It was a very cool place with a lot of structures made out of small rocks being held together with cement. They had built castles and towns, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. There was a nice place for us to do our companionship Study, but it was too hot so we got our pictures and left. 

Most of our week was trying to get to know the friend past missionaries have taught, and the members. We have talked to a lot of wonderful and friendly people. 

I feel that there isn't much else to say about the week. I have been doing my best to work hard and give myself to the Lord and as I have done that I have found peace. I don't feel stressed about the new responsibilities and anything that is new. I have just been going to work and the Lord has figured everything else out. The new is the good. I have loved studying the New Preach My Gospel! There are so many things to learn and love about its teaches. Like Nephi, My soul delighteth in the goodness of God. In other words My soul delighteth in Preach My Gospel. If you haven't read it then I invite you to read it right after you finish this email. And if that is too much reading for you then stop reading this right now and read PMG (Preach My Gospel). 

I love that I have been given the sacred responsibility to train a new missionary, because it causes me to reflect when I was being trained. I'm able to look back and see how far I have come. As I have done this my heart fills with gratitude because I can see how much God has blesses me in my time in Georgia. I didn't know it all at once, I still don't know it all, nonetheless I know what I know. I know who My Redeemer is. I know that He lives. He lives to feed my hungry soul. I know He lives and I am changed forever because of Him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  

Our Zone Ice Cream meeting 

Us staying at the other Elder's apartment  

Cracker Barrell 

The Rock Garden 

A members home who has a lot of birds. I ate dinner with the bird on my shoulder for a little bit and the others kept flying by.  

That's all folks, have a great week!