Week 34, 5/31/2021

HAY HUGGER

If you look at my pictures (which I'm sure is what most of you only look look at lol) then you'll understand the title of my email 😅 

Ooookkkkeeefenoke... you probably already know what I'm going to say: it was another great week! Sis Graf and I are really killing it here in Waycross. I know that one day I'm going to leave this place, and that will be a weird day. I've gotten so used to the 8 restaurants in town, and driving out in the woods to visit members, and passing tractors on the road, and the sound of trains 24/7. It'll be weird. But thankfully I won't be leaving for a little while! 

This week weeeee:

- started our Bible study! It went so good, people actually showed up (that's always a plus) and they really enjoyed it. So we'll be doing that weekly from now on.

Luv them Georgia woods🌲

- went to lunch with Alexis and our member friend Kristen. They got along so well and it was such a fun lunch. This was a little miracle because Alexis is very shy and she's pretty nervous to come to church. So we were hoping by helping her make friends first, she would feel more comfortable to come, and they really hit it off! Alexis seems so much happier than when we first started meeting with her. That just shows how it's not about baptismal numbers, its about really helping the people we teach. Help them make friends, help find more happiness, and of course the best way to do that is to share the gospel with them. And Alexis has loved reading the Book of Mormon, so she's doing great!

- James came to church again yesterday and he loved it. That's twice in a row so we think we got him hooked.

- We had an old people party! 🥳 we've been trying to help our recent convert Ernest make more friends in the ward so we invited him to a dinner with some other older members. It was so fun: we grilled burgers, ate sweet potato pie, and he had a great time. It was cute to see him bond with the older men and really make friends. 

- We also had a youth pizza pool party! Lol we've ALSO been trying to get Phoebee and Desmond involved with the youth of the ward. They went to a pool party with all the youth this week and they loved it. Desmond even said the OPENING PRAYER no one ever wants to say the prayer 😅 that was a miracle. 

- We helped a less active family move and man I have never been that exhausted after service! It's always nice when a less active family needs service because BAM there we are, and they can't turn us away because they need our missionary muscles. (Maybe not the spiritual ones yet, but it'll come)

HAY, look what I found!

Sad part of the week: our legendary pickleball playing district got demolished this week. Pretty much everyone got transferred 😔 and that was sad to see a lot of them go, and I just really liked this district, but oh well! 

A lot of good stuff is happening in Waycross. I feel like for the longest time things were a little slow and our people didn't seem to be progressing, but sometimes you just have to be patient and let God do his thing. Finally things have been working out!

Like D&C 123: 17 says "Therefore dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." 

That's definitely what I've been doing! Sometimes being patient is the last thing that I want to do, but after we've done everything we can we need to wait and see God work in our lives. And that's the best part about a mission: there is no failure! As long as you're being obedient, working hard, and trying your best, even if people don't want to listen to you that's ok! Because it's all according to God's plan and his timing. That's something I've really had to come to trust since I've been out on my mission. His way will always be better than our way, and we need to trust in him with faith and patience. 

OK now that my spiritual rant is done.....I hope y'all have an awesome week! I CANNOT believe it's June tomorrow! Time freaking flies. I would love to hear everyone's updates with life and stuff, so shoot me an email!

Love and miss y'all

-Sister Bonny❤ 

Our good neighbor sunbathing on his tractor