New Companion, Same Great Work

So this week I received a new companion down here in Lynchburg. I was hoping they would send a veteran, to help me considering the Lynchburg audience. They actually sent Elder Houghton. He has been out about 9 months and spent most of it in the country of West Virginia. He is originally from Fresno, California We get along, we have our differences and struggles, but as long as we are obedient as a companionship we have seen successful in doing the Lord's work. It has been really different compared to the last 6 weeks. I have been riding shotgun (metaphorically) all last transfer occasionally throwing out directions in a lesson, but now I am in charge of knowing the ward, the streets and the investigators. It has been an incredible growing experience the past few days.

This week our focus was really on Brian. He has been progressing extremely well and is constantly amazing with his thoughts already being in line with the gospel. We found out last night that when he was in 10th grade he ordered a Book of Mormon or what he calls, "one of your bibles." He never really got into it or anything, but I truly think it was one of the steps to prepare his heart for the future. He invited us to breakfast at his house, where we taught and discussed the role prophets. Last night we really let the cat out of the bag, by discussing word of wisdom and then the 10 commandments. Most importantly, we explained the healing process of the atonement. The Spirit was stronger in this lesson then it had ever been. It was amazing to see the joy and the freedom that comes from these commandments and the forgiveness of sin. We invited him to repent and allow Christ to remove the burden that weighs so heavily on his heart. He is attempting to quit smoking today, but it is a long process ahead. We are really relying on the Lord to help him through this hard time.

We were fasting yesterday for his brother, Brandon, as well. He is in prison and Brian really wants God to touch his life. He is already looking to spread the "good news". The Lord fulfills his promises we showed our commitment to our investigators by fasting and we were blessed with two dinners. It may not seem like a big deal, but it was clear that it was no coincidence. A less active member is a cab driver and invited us over after one of the people he taxied around paid in him spare ribs. Oh the south... I have gained a stronger testimony of fasting with that experience.

We had a harder week with a lot of people not interested in meeting anymore, but with each challenge comes a blessing. Some may think that Satan is the one behind hard times, when really the Lord is the author of our trial. He has a plan for us. One of my favorite scriptures comes from Romans 8:18 - "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Heavenly Father loves us and is dedicated to supporting each of us personally.

"If the Lord is my Light then why should I fear?"

Love y'all and look forward to the coming week,
Elder Dumke

Last Week with Brady

So this week was my final week with Elder Brady. He is being transferred to West Virginia, so after one transfer my trainer is moving on. I am really excited to continue working and looking forward to spend the next transfer with another Elder. I have learned an incredible amount these past 6 weeks, and am so grateful for a dilligent, knowledgable first companion.

I had exchanges twice this week so I spent the day with different Elders for the day. It was great. The highlight of the week had to be teaching Tina. We gave her a book of mormon the other night and she didn't seem too interested, but invited us back. We went over a few days later, and despite her being sick she invtied us for a lesson. She loved what we were teaching and invited an invite to be baptized when she found the things we were explaining to be true. She has great faith, talking about how she recently lost her job, but it is only because the Lord has greater plans for her. The very next day an employer called and gave her a job she applied for months ago and forgot about. She called us so excited! I was so happy for her and it was true joy and peace I felt knowing that things were going to improve in her life.

Brian came to General Conference in a suit! Which was way sweet. He really loved it and at one point he told us he was praying to stay awake and then Elder Bednar spoke about Personal Revelation and he sat right up. A couple days ago Brian had really awesome experience pertaining to that. He is super solid. Yesterday we ran into him and he asked if he was allowed to fast? "Definitely!" we replied. He explained that his brother was in prison and he wanted Jesus to be with him during that hard time. He truly has a prepared heart.

Logan came to General Conference with 4 of his liberty friends. They all enjoyed it very much, but aren't really interested in learning more for now. It is good to have left them with a positive view of the church, rather than the Anti-mormon material they are indoctorinated with at Liberty. Our recent convert Kim Kelly got engaged this week and her fiance wants to take the lessons. We will begin teaching him soon. Don't worry his foundation will be in the restored gospel of Christ, not the recent engagment to Kim.

I feel so blessed to have witnessed so many amazing things this week. I know people say that families are blessed while missionaries are out, but I am part of that family also. I have seen the Lord work in my own life and the lives of others. I owe a lot to prayer, but I owe dilligence to faith. It can be difficult in the mornings to wake up and study at times, but having faith that it will make a difference, makes all the difference. I love the scriptures and I love modern day revelation. Genera Conference was so amazing, and I am so thankful to live in a time with a living, breathing, guiding prophet. Pray for strength, pray for courage, but most of all pray for faith.

Love y'all more than the web can express,

Elder Dumke