More critters...

Last week, Elder Blackburn just sent a short note - he was very busy and said they had received up to 8" of snow and since that is unusual, no one knows how to drive in it, so a lot of business and other places were closed.  They are preparing for a baptism on Dec 21st.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends and Family,


So we got out of a lesson and saw this huge possum (at least 30 lbs.) eating out of a cat dish and so I cornered it and it was hissing and growling but we just picked it up from the tail and held it and petted it...man they have strong little arms and hands and a way strong tail, I gained a lot of respect for those little critters, they're pretty fearless and have pretty big teeth. Pretty cute though, I'd have one as a pet, they'd be a lot of fun, I wish Vito and Lilly could've seen him and sniffed him.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

we are not sure where the bunny came from...Elder Blackburn likes animals, so we are pretty sure this one just jumped right in his lap!

Slowing down time...

Hey crew...well I'm enjoying my time here in this ol' town. Not a whole lot going on here in Mt. Grove I feel like I'm in 1998 or earlier sometimes ha ha. Time goes slower here that's for sure...a person we are teaching recently turned to Moroni 10:3-5 and as they were reading, began to cry and I just sat there and thought, "Wow, it's happening, the Spirit is working on her right in front of me!" It was so neat to sit there and let the Spirit teach. The more and more I teach the more and more I realize that it's all about the Spirit, getting the Spirit to accompany you and be present while you teach, you don't need to be a scholar or have the scriptures all memorized you just need to keep the mission rules, study everyday, and work hard and as you present the lesson the Spirit will teach them what they need to know otherwise you are just teaching to yourself. I guess a proper formula could be this:


Obedience(preparation) + Gospel Knowledge(you need a well for the Spirit to draw from) + Charity(have to love the people) + Spirit(key component can't work without it) = Faith in the person you are teaching and if they act on the commitments then a testimony can begin to grow.



We also had a nice Thanksgiving with some members the Millers, they are a nice couple who are in their 70's. They also had some of their family over so it was fun.


I'm just trying to figure out how to make these last couple months slow down...I'll let you know when I figure that out...seriously it's going by faster each day... cherishing my time out here that's for sure trying to improve those shining moments.


Love,
Elder Blackburn