Elder Bloxham reporting from Winchester!!!!

Oh man, this week has been such a testimony builder. It has been really tough... The Book of Mormon has kept me positive and pushing through all the hard times! We have been walking a lot, trying to find as many people as we can! We still haven't had any other Investigators but we really are trying hard!! The branch is working with us as well. They are starting to see how important it is for us to get this work progressing. Brother Robbins has been such a huge help. He has been giving everybody in Farmland pass-along cards and he has the vision that we see to progress the work. He is full teel and working his butt off! Ha-ha!!

       We taught Randy for the second time, and guess what....? I committed him to baptism! And he said yes!! ahh, it was my first time committing someone to be baptized and he accepted! It was amazing! We are going to keep teaching him and get him ready! We don't have the baptismal date for him, but next time we go, we'll commit him again and set a date!

       We are also teaching a less active in Union City, and her name is Connie Owens. She was baptized like 20 years ago and she doesn't even remember why she was or who her missionaries were! Ha-ha so we are kinda re-activating, but again it's kinda like we're re teaching her everything again! She has a lot of kids that are interested as well, and maybe we could get 4 baptisms out of it. I mean, it's not about numbers, but it would be awesome bringing all of them to church and closer to Christ!! Keep her in your prayers, she is having a tough time with her divorce and things like that... But she is a really strong lady and she holds the house down!! haha!!

       I don't really have any cool stories to tell this week because, like i said, it's been rough!! It just builds your faith and it's God letting us know that it's not just going to get handed to us!! We are working, and i know it will all fall into place soon!!

        So I've really been thinking about family home evening. I don't know why, but it comes to mind a lot!! I think that you 3 should start having FHE on monday nights :) have a short spiritual message and maybe go out for ice cream. Having that spiritual message will allow you to think about it while you are out and you'll have invited the spirit to "ride along" with you :) We talk about how when we knock on someones door, there are three of us standing there. Me, Elder Elquist, and the Holy Ghost. When they let us in, me and Elder Elquist walk in. And the Holy Ghost just stands there, waiting for us to invite him in. The way we do that is by saying a kneeling prayer with the family, or just the one person. And that allows the Holy Ghost to enter the home and teach the lesson for us :) Prayer is the best way to have the spirit with you! So when in doubt, pray!! The motto me and Elder Elquist have is, "Doubt not, Fear not" take it how you want, i don't want to tell you what it means for us. Use that in everything you do and you'll find the meaning of it for yourself :)

          I love you so much!!

           

-Elder Bloxham

These pictures are of the crazy storm we had. It started to hail big ole' ice pieces!

This is my first progress record i'm filling out!! haha it was for Randy!

This bridge was by a cemetery that i though was pretty cool!

Elder Elquist studying.

Me studying.

This is me wearing the Utah tie! I'm going to find a cool place to take a picture with it on!
(All the friends are taking turns taking a picture in this tie and they'll pass it on to the next missionary!)