Love This Work

9/9/12

     This week was another great week! In our monday meeting with President we decided that we text the whole mission and challenge everyone to reach the standard of excellence for finding - 3 new investigators. So we set off to do it.

     We received a list from the bishop of a few part member families to try. We felt impressed for this one woman, so we went to go find her. She lived in an apartment on top of a barbershop. As we walked past the barbershop, there was a knock on the window from the haircutter. He motioned us in, and asked about our bibles. As he was cutting this guys hair we taught him about the Plan of Salvation. He was genuinely interested. There were a variety of other customers obviously listening in as we taught. One man was hardshell baptist and got to preaching back that our doctrine was false. He got contentious, but simmered off when we he was listing off things we agreed rather than differed on. It felt like a scene straight from the adventures of 19th century missionaries video. We left grateful for the opportunity to testify of the gospel. He wants us to come back next month after he has read the Book of Mormon. I think I might be due for a haircut here in about two weeks though... ;)

     We had the privilege of teaching a few other very prepared families. One is the Surfaces/ they are awesome. Sister Surface isn't a member but her husband is, she has been around missionaries for about 8 years, but never really been taught the sit down lessons. We began teaching them to her a few weeks ago and she is doing so well. We taught her tuesday and she called us wednesday to come back and teach her more. They are a great family! Sheila is the cousin of member that came to church today for the first time and then went to addiction recovery tonight at the church. She is making huge progress, but is on house arrest so she will be a little later down the road, but she is due for a miracle soon.                         Finally some of the most exciting news is that Marcie, the friend of a member came to church for the third time in a row this week and this time her friend was out of town. We got to sit and talk with her some and she is super prepared. She has been reading the Book of Mormon, and she said she has been feeling a peace she has never felt before. Things are going well and the members are amazing. Connie Angel for Charleston East Side is actually getting baptized next Sunday, which is sweet that i will get to be here to see it. I have never had so much fun and felt to so fulfilled. 

     To cap it off we met the Standard of Excellence again this week and nearly every area in the mission found their three new investigators. There is such a good feeling being created. We have a General Authority coming in next month for a mission tour, which we are really excited about. Thank you for all your love and support. Your prayers are so much appreciated and needed!

Love

Elder Dumke