Week of December 14th: I Ate Fried Alligator

Holy cow this week has been so so crazy, but a good crazy of course :)

On Tuesday we found out that my companion, Sister Blaylock, was going to be going home on Monday for medical reasons. So this whole week was filled with getting ready for her to go home and figuring out how to ship a bike. We were still able to move on with the work though! We had Jasmine, Armoni, and Omerian (3 of the Porter's kids) come with us to the mutual activity Wednesday night! It went super well and they had a great time. It was a good experience where we got to know them a little bit more.

On Thursday we had a lesson with Ashley. She is doing good but still not progressing...we showed her the "Because of Him" video and tried explaining that Jesus Christ can really allow us to live in our lives. She has problems believing anything other than Jesus Christ's teachings, so like the Bible. I am really still trying to figure her out, I just really hope that she can feel the spirit. 

On Friday we had a lesson with the Porters (Tanya and Jasmine). They didn't read Alma 32 so we went through and read the first 12 verses with them, it went pretty well. The following day we saw Tanya and she was having a hard time so we read a scripture and committed her to read a chapter in the Book of Mormon that could really relate to her. She texted us and said that she was reading it! Conversion is really all based on God's timing, so I am definitely learning patience. 

Alligator at the UL Campus

On Saturday we ate at Don's Seafood with two women in the ward. I ATE FRIED ALLIGATOR, it tasted like chicken :) it was sooo good! 

We received a lot of media referrals (people go online and request a free Bible or Book of Mormon and we bring it to them), we were able to contact a few. It went really well! We went out with a young woman in the ward and now we have a return appointment with one and then we were able to share a message about the restoration. Her name was Rosylen. She seemed really hesitant at first but when we testified that she could pray with sincere desire and know for herself then she softened up and seemed more at peace with it :) We are going to meet with her after Christmas. 

We also got to see Alice. She is a less active and doesn't have a lot of comprehension, but in the lesson with her I was able to see her through God's eyes. It was a beautiful thing to feel Christlike love for her. I absolutely love Alice, and even though she might not be able to read very well or keep commitments/appointments, I still love her so much because she is a child of God. It was a remarkable experience :) 

For dinner we went out to Breaux Bridge and ate with the Bozemans. They're related to some members in our ward and invited us to come over (apparently it was a huge step for them). They heard Sister Blaylock's testimony on building your confidence in Jesus Christ and that really touched them. The dinner went really well and even though Sister Blaylock had to leave they still invited me and my new companion back again! The Lord has definitely blessed us so much in this area and I am so grateful for that. I truly feel he was preparing me to be able to take over the area with more peace. 

On Sunday after church, we drove to Opaleuses where we picked up Sister Widdison (MY NEW COMP) and then drove to the mission home. We ate dinner with President and Sister Hansen and then we drove home. So now I have a new companion for Christmas! She was my Sister Training Leader in my first area, so I already know her! She is super cute and really nice. We are going to get along great :)

I hope yall are having a good holiday season and I am so grateful for the atoning power that Jesus Christ has in our lives. This restored gospel is the only truth on the earth today, and I know this because I have felt it. No one can deny an answer from God :) 

Miss and love yall so much!

Young Womens with Arissa
and the Porter kids