Writings from West Virginia: An Extra Long Week

Hello family and friends!

The week started off slowly, with Elder Larson and I going around and seeing as many people as we could. We had a number goal of getting a certain amount of lessons taught this past week so that we could get a handle on just how many people we have to see week to week. We ended up with 15 other lessons at the end of the week. What a number! That's quite a bit for our mission. It was nice to be able to share a whole bunch of gospel messages and try and strengthen everyone that we saw. Keep praying for them everyone! They just need a little more encouragement.

Wednesday we saw S & CH at Sh's house again. We were getting her prepared for her confirmation on Sunday. More on that later. The lesson was good. We mostly answered her questions about the gospel that she had. Just stuff that doesn't really need to be taught in the lessons, but covered once she's a member.

On Thursday we did some service at the K again! That's always a fun time. This time I was one of the “plate-r’s” meaning I scoop Ravioli onto a plate and hand it down to the next guy. It was a lot of fun, and the people there are slowly starting to become more comfortable with us. We are able to have gospel conversations with them, and a woman from the food kitchen we work with offered to feed us dinner sometime this week! How cool is that? Miracles are everywhere, even if they take some time.

Friday was a great day! Nothing really in particular, we just worked ourselves to the breaking point and were really tired that night. It left a good feeling inside.

Valentine’s day was interesting! Nobody really wanted us to come over, and everyone who would've been willing was out doing something with someone! So we tried to make ourselves busy until it was time for basketball that night.

On Saturday though we did have the chance to see Ch. and S. after they were done with their day date. We talked about The Holy Ghost and were fed by Sh. again! Hamburgers this time. Mmmm.

Here is where it gets interesting! Sunday! Saturday night it started to snow. Not hard. Maybe half an inch at most, but by goly it was COLD. Like, 9 degrees cold. Also the 20 mph wind. It was basically 15 below. Freezing! What tends to happen in these states when that comes around is stuff starts shutting down to prep for the incoming storm. Lots and lots of ice as well.

Well, because of all these factors, Church was cancelled! :( Oh well. S. is still lingering in limbo! Unconfirmed. I'm sure the Lord understands. She will be confirmed on the 22nd, Ward Conference.

Monday we headed to Hillsville to hang out with the other elders for P-day, like we do. It was fun! We had a good time in their apartment and went to a couple lessons with them in the middle of the day. Well, lo and behold, we hadn't looked outside since we got there, and it had been quite a few hours, but when we went out, there was 2 inches of snow on the ground, and it was coming down! Lots and lots of snow! In total, we got around 6 inches, which apparently is a dang TON for here. That's nothing for Boston apparently though!

Well, with all this snow, there was a lot of work to be done! The snow cancelled all of our plans for Tuesday, so we threw a couple layers on, grabbed our snow shovels, and went to work! All the money we were offered taught me that apparently shoveling snow is a lucrative business. When I get home that may be worth considering! It's hard work though. Good manual labor. I didn't know hands could get sore. Apparently!

I love you all! Thank you for always being supportive of me and for praying for me and my investigators. I am grateful for all of you, and will write to you all next week! Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Brax Johnson