Hello Family!
This week has been great...tough..but great! We
still are looking for someone who will listen, who
will open their heart and let Jesus Christ in. One
night, while praying, I was asking Heavenly Father
for further guidance. We need to find someone to
teach! That's our purpose... To invite others to come
unto Christ, by helping them receive the Restored
Gospel! I was pretty much venting to our Father,
when finally he said "Just work."
After taking inventory of our daily efforts, we identified
that most of street contacting ends up in referrals for
the Elders..there are a ton of single men in this area.
The other day we talked to 35 people, 3 of those people
were women. This is only to give an example of how
many men there are! haha. After a lot more prayer, and
seeking guidance, we've come to the conclusion that
if most of our days are filled with talking to single men,
then our purpose is to give the Elder's referrals! To help
them have success. The Lord obviously has a plan...
not sure what it is!
Once we've come to this conclusion, we've been
able to have more peace and clarity. Obviously,
we're still looking for someone that WE can teach!
But, leaving it the Lord's hands, we will follow Him!
That's all we can do, right? Follow Him, and invite
others. It's up to them and their agency to accept
the invitation.
This transfer, so far, has been one of building faith
and patience. I feel most of my mission has been
this way...Which only proves that the Lord knows
each of us more than we know ourselves. He
knows that patience is not my strong suit ;) So He
has given me opportunities to strengthen that
attribute..haha.
Okay, something funny that happened this week...
It actually was everything that happened on Thursday
of this week. It started out like any other day, we
woke up at 6:20, exercise at 6:30. Then traveled to
the Stake Center for interviews with President
Christiansen. We got back to our area around 11:30,
ate lunch, studied, and then went out to work!
We went to the Elder's neighborhood for an
appointment we had with a guy named Rob and
his wife. His wife wasn't home, so we couldn't go
in. We had to pass him off to the Elders, because
he said his wife wouldn't be interested. No worries.
While we were in his building, a lady who we had
just talked to, called us. I answered..I couldn't
understand anything she was saying. I handed
the phone to Sister Stolworthy, saying "You try.."
After listening, Sister Stolworthy said "They're
trying to steal our bikes?!"
We go bustin' out of the building! Our bikes were
still there, but they obviously were tampered with.
There were a bunch of kids across the parking lot
watching us.. who else could it have been? *tisk*
We unlocked our bikes, and hiked them on over to
the Elder's apartment. We obviously couldn't leave
them out, any more! The Elders live on the second
floor... but they have a balcony. Obviously, they
weren't home, because they were out proselyting.
What did we do? You betcha. We scaled the balcony!
Okay, Sister Stolworthy did..and I handed her the bikes.
We got them locked up there, piece of cake! The trick
was getting Sister Stolworthy back down. After much
travail and struggle, and with her life flashing before
her eyes, she jumped. (the jump was only 3 feet, don't worry.)
I was even able to hold her hand while she jumped..
it wasn't that terrific. haha. It was just the fact that we
actually did all of that..hahaha.
Soon after, the Ward Mission Leader's wife picked
us up for dinner. They had the Elders over, too. It
was great! I've never laughed that hard at a dinner
before! We taught the Law of Chastity-Thoughts,
words, and actions. Brother Erekson asked us if
we have to tell each other what we need to improve
on and stuff. Of course we do! haha. Companionship
Inventory..every Thursday. So, we go into all of
the jokes that are to be had about Comp Inventory.
They thought it was so hilarious! So we committed
them to do it at least once a month! It was hilarious....
you probably had to be there....
After that, Sister Erekson drove us back to our
bikes. Our appointment for that night had called
us and canceled, so we decided that we should
street contact and find people! We rode around
on our bikes for a good hour, talking with everyone.
It was getting close for us to start heading home,
when we realized we didn't know where we were....
Welp..time to follow the Spirit, right? hahaha.
We started biking and finally came to a road that
we recognized! But it was also 3 miles away from
our home. #realitystinkssometimes We started biking
so fast so we could make curfew! Along the way,
Sister Stolworthy's shoe fell off, and her pedal came
up and caught her on the leg..kind of skinning her.
Grrross. She had a ton of blood running down her
leg, into her shoe...it was a mess! I was so proud
of her, though..she biked 3 miles like that!
We finally got home (In time I might add!), We
broke out the first aid kit, and I basically performed
basic O.R. surgery. haha. It was gross...but also
a great bonding moment. hahaha. I've never had
someone beg me so bad to not put Hydrogen
Peroxide on their boo boo...hahahaha. Did it anyway!
Had to kill them nasty germs.
It was a weird weird day. BUT! Although it was a
weird day, we found 3 amazingly prepared people!
One, his name was Eddie. He had actually studied
with the Elders about 9 years ago! He told us some
stuff he knew about the church..Joseph Smith, the
gold plates, the 3 kingdoms.. for studying 9 years
ago, he remembered a lot! We asked him if he
would like to meet with the Elders again. He said
he would! I asked him if he had read the Book of
Mormon before. He said he had, and that when
he was learning about it and Joseph Smith he felt
a really warm feeling..like it was right! But then the
Elders just stopped coming over. This broke my
heart! It made me wonder why they decided to
drop him? He obviously has real growth! And
Prepared! We asked if he felt those feelings were
from God. He said, "Absolutely! I know it did!"
And then, this lady named Queell. She was sitting
in her car, counting money, outside of the bank..
talk about an awkward situation to interrupt..
"I promise ma'am, we're not here to rob you!"
We told her about the Book of Mormon. She said
she wanted to learn more! And actually meant it!
And she actually lives here in Randallstown! We
are so stoked! She wasn't sure of her schedule,
though...so we'll be calling her today to get a return
appointment.
And this other guy, his name is Raysean.
He works at Papa John's. We started talking to
him, he thought it was so cool that we dedicate
18 months to Jesus! Also while talking to him, a
bug was crawling around on his shoulder.. I was
like "Uhh..there's a bug on you." He started flippin
out! It was the best bug dance I've ever seen.
His friend was watching, and looking at him like
he was crazy. I said, "Hey...he had a bug on him.
He's not crazy." Sister Stolworthy went and talked
to the friend. When Raysean was able to come to
his senses, he came back over and thanked me
endlessly for telling him. He hates bugs..obviously.
We had to bond over our disliking of bugs. I told
him about a dream I had about these 2 big fat spiders
that had nestled in my hair. *shiver* But then we got
back to what's important...the BOOK OF MORMON!
He was so excited about it! He gave us his number
and address for the Elder's to have.
I'm telling you, the Lord knows who is prepared, and
he leads us to them in the most random way.
Just follow the Spirit!
Well, family..
I love you, so much!
Have a great week!
Watch for miracles, and read the Book of Mormon!
Love, Sister Brinkerhoff
Pic: Sister Stolworthy and Sister Brinkerhoff at lunch
with the Greenalls (friends who moved out there).
So glad they were able to see her and visit with her.
Made me smile to see these pics! She was so happy
to see you guys!! It was in my other email. :D She
shared how you got the report of her "yellow" zone.
