Writings from West Virginia: Hello Everyone!

This week has been great! We are still trudging along. Last Monday while we were emailing we received a media referral (someone who requested something on mormon.org)! We don't get those very often, so it was AWESOME! We were super excited. More about her later. That was a great way to start a week.

On Tuesday we were finally able to contact T., the media referral. She lives OUT THERE. Seriously, it's a 25 minute drive into the sticks. She has an awesome house though. We dropped off the Bible she requested and also left her a Book of Mormon and Restoration pamphlet, which she accepted! Apparently she's met with missionaries before and was more than happy to have us back. She is a really strong and tough girl. A couple years ago she had 6 strokes in 3 months, between September and November of 2013. As a result, it's challenged her speech and mobility a little bit, but it didn't get rid of her fire and desire to work and do something with her time. On Tuesday we were also able to teach L. again, as well as V. and P.! We had a pretty frank discussion with V. and P. about what their concerns are. They came up with a few, but we know there are deeper things. We invited them to pray and ponder about their resistance to the commandments of God and said that we would discuss them next visit. :D

On Wednesday we had exchanges right after we did service at the Soup Opera! Elder Furrows came down to Fairmont with me. We were able to see W. & B., which was awesome! On a whim I decided to go try them, and lo and behold they were home! They started asking us questions about the Word of Wisdom and what the church's stance on Marijuana is, so we explained the Restoration to them and why the Word of Wisdom exists and what protection it offers. Later that night we taught Sister D. the Gospel of Jesus Christ! She unfortunately was going to Ohio this week so she wasn't able to attend church, but she will next week! We ended the night with The C.s', teaching younger C. about the three Kingdoms of Glory, trying to repair the horrible teaching job we did last Sunday, haha. Mistakes happen! It went well this time though, thankfully.

Thursday we had Zone Conference with the Clarksburg Stake and President & Sister Salisbury! It was a blast, I took a few pages of notes. I also got to say hi to Sister Willis and Sister Robinson, both of whom I went to High School with. #MMHSPride. And it's always a fun time to see my buds from other areas. This weekend we have Stake Conference, so not only will I get to see all my missionary friends, but everyone from BUCKHANNON WILL BE THERE TOO!!!!! I'm so excited. R., the B.'s, all the C.'s... etc. This is going to be an awesome weekend. In Zone Conference we learned a lot about finding and teaching effectively. In conjunction and taking the Spirit of the meeting, the Marion County missionaries (the Fairmont sisters, Mannington Elders, and us) have decided to do a Fireside! It's going to be HUGE! We're really excited.

Over the weekend we got to see some cool stuff! Namely Saturday, we were able to teach L., S. and K., the T.s, and The C.s'! It was a pretty good day. :) S. & K. are a cool Part member family. Elder Jolley tells me that when he first got here Brother S. wasn't super open, but this visit was really cool. He pulled out his Dad's scriptures that he received after he passed away and got really sentimental about it. K. also talked about how she likes learning about the church, so there is definitely some potential there! They are great people. Brother S., at 59 years old, is going for breaking the National Record for Squats in his age group (55-59) which is 560-some pounds. HOLY CRAP. He's awesome.

Sacrament Meeting on the Sabbath was wonderful! L. came to church! Not sure where the C.s' were, seeing as we committed them to come the night before. :(. Bishop B. and Sister P. spoke, both amazing talks! Sister P. spoke on the Book of Mormon, and she could freaking be a General Authority she's so awesome at speaking. Bishop gave a heartfelt testimony about following the Spirit. We were also able to go visit T. again with Brother C.! We taught the first half of the Restoration, and Brother C. gave a great testimony about modern prophets and how they've blessed his life.

Thank you all for your support of me! I appreciate it. I recently read a scripture that I thought I'd share with you all, because it will help everyone, no matter their situation, out in life. It comes from the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon, chapter 4, verses 9 and 10.

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, that it is the word of God. I would invite you all to seek God in prayer and ask him to help you come to Him. The Savior will give you strength.

Have a wonderful week, and I will talk to you all next week!

Love,

Elder Brax Johnson