My Heart is in Texas: "Count your blessings...See what God hath done!"

Finding the “10’s” of thousands

President Pingree always told us that there were tens of thousands here in Houston who were ready to receive the gospel. And Sister Huber and I were determined to find them, so we set a goal to hand out 10 Book of Mormons a day for a total of 70 Book of Mormon’s for the week. To be honest we were a little nervous and anxious about it because we had so much to do with very little time. We are trying to get Danielle, Isaaclyn, KP, and Luis prepared to go to the temple this week plus their new member lessons along with our investigator lessons... AND did we tell you that this week was 100 degrees with 100% humidity?! Wow! We picked a good week to be out in the sun all day. :)

But, we knew that with the Lord all things would be possible!

On monday we weren't able to pass out any. Tuesday we had exchanges and passed out 5 Book of Mormons.

Wednesday we were getting even more anxious and discouraged. We thought we had set a goal way too high. But it was already set and so we needed to accomplish our task... and when you set a goal it happens. This week we found in many different ways... in the car, through a fence, walking around parking lots, in grocery stores, and talking to people in parking lots sitting in their cars to name a few. It pushed us to be bold and talk to everyone! Here are a couple highlights from the week.

Wednesday- 16 Book of Mormon's

Contacted a lady and her daughter through a fence in the apartment complex parking lot. Sister Huber and I felt that we needed to talk to her and so we did it, no matter how awkward it was!

Met an inactive member that the ward knew nothing about.

We were walking to our car and this guy waves at us and so we of course wave back. After looking closer we thought it was our investigator who we were meeting with in 10 minutes and he was going in the same direction we were. He pulls into a store parking lot and turns around, and waves at us. So we pull in as well. He rolls down the window and says, "Hi. I'm David." Definitely not our investigator, Sister Huber and I were so confused... So we asked if he was a member. He wasn't.

So we started talking to him about the Book of Mormon and he accepted it! Then, he asks if we can go out to coffee... oh dear. Nope not coffee but we can talk to you about our church! We exchange information and then we tell him we will text him to set something up and he says, "I'll be waiting." At that moment, I literally busted out laughing... mind you the window was still down. But I just couldn't help it. It was too funny! Later he texted us and we stated our purpose as missionaries and he responds- see picture below.

Thursday- 14 Book of Mormon's

We walked around the same apartment complex for about 3 hours talking to people as they left their cars and were outside. With how hot it was, I was so surprised by all the people walking around!

Met this awesome guy on his porch. After telling him our names, he introduced himself as Brother Branch and we explained to him in depth Alma 32:27. He was so into it and even wanted to give his neighbor a Book of Mormon. He went with us to see if he was home but he wasn't so he is going to give him one when he sees him next.

Mike was interviewed for baptism and will be baptized this Saturday at 5:30! We are so excited for him and he is so excited as well!

Friday- 13 Book of Mormon's

Saturday- 14 Book of Mormon's

We had 2 left to reach our goal and immediately as we walked out of our car we talked to 2 workers sitting in their car. Then as we were talking this guy pulls next to us as well and asks if we are Jehovah's Witness because he wanted a pamphlet. Well we can give you something even better and I offered him a Book of Mormon. He accepted it... and the two guys Sister Huber talked to accepted 2 book of Mormon's as well! In about 15 minutes at that apartment we had passed out 4 Book of Mormon's! #miracles

Sunday- 9 Book of Mormon's

We had about an hour before dinner and 8 Book of Mormon's left to reach our goal. So we went and walked around an apartment complex and we did it! It was such an amazing feeling! With pretty much all of these people, we even were able to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ. That Heavenly Father wants all to witness him and the blessings of the Atonement. We read scriptures with each one and we only ran into very few that didn't want to accept a Book of Mormon. We were very blessed.

So... I guess I'm getting baptized this Saturday

We went and had our weekly lesson with Joseph and we really wanted him to commit to a baptism date. We talked about obedience and invited him to pray and ask what date he should be baptized. We all got down on our knees and he offered a prayer. However he didn't ask what day he should be baptized. So after the prayer ended we shared that sometimes its good to be specific with Heavenly Father and maybe share what specific days would be best. So I told him the dates that would be available... "July 12th, July 19th, July 26th, August 3rd..." and he interrupts me and says. "Well July 12th just stuck out to me... so... I guess... I'm getting baptized this Saturday... Yeah... July 12th... I'm getting baptized."

The spirit was so strong when he said that. I knew that July 12th was the right date for him and he knew it as well. We have always known that July 12th was the right date. It was the first date we extended to him about a month ago and he just was stubborn to admit it!

We rushed to get everything ready and teach him the rest of the things that we needed to. He was baptized and confirmed a member of the church this last weekend! There were so many people there to support him and his mom and cousin were also there as well!

This week we are so excited to go to the temple to perform baptisms for the dead with 5 of our recent converts! Frank and Ashley are planning on going as well! I am so excited and so blessed to be able to be here for this great opportunity for them to partake of the blessings of the temple!

I love this church! It is SO true!

Sister Loo