Yeah, JoAnne is getting baptized tomorrow and Artie [a man Elder M taught in Watseka at the beginning of his mission] got baptized on Saturday!! What a great week! Here is Elder M's email:
Hello Family!
It sounds like things are going pretty well at home. Happy Birthday Dad! I don't know if you'll get anything from me until you get back from vacation... I'm going to send it today or tomorrow!
Well, here's my email. The computer has been goofing up, so it took a ridiculous amount of time to write one to President Roach. Hopefully it won't goof up for this letter.
This week has been great, and the next week should be even better!
Last Wednesday was pretty fun. We went and played frisbee golf. I got a pretty mediocre 6 under par. Ugh. After that, we had a lesson with JoAnne, and talked about tithing and fast offerings. We went to the church, and tried to get her a baptismal suit... But none there would fit her. We also had to go there to get one big enough for Artie! Nothing in Bourbonnais or Watseka would fit him (he's not even that big... It's pretty crazy). After that, we went out with President Fredin to make some visits. Our appointment had canceled, like they seemingly only do when President Fredin comes with us, so we just did stop bys. We got a hold of one guy that is usually on the road in his truck, and had a good discussion with him.
Thursday was really good. I had called Tony, the husband of a member, and asked him to fix my bike. We went over there, and he told me I trashed my bike, but he could fix it. He worked his magic, and it turned out well. We also had a lesson for him, and it went well. He's V V C - Very Very Catholic, and gets semi-seriously argumentative. He started asking some tough questions like, "Is Jesus Mormon?" We eventually were talking about the nature of God, and he asked, "alright, so who's right? The Mormons or the Catholics?" We told him it's not who's right, it's what's right... And this is how you can find out from God what's right. He said dang it, you got me, I've got nothing to say to that. Long story short, we invited him to be baptized, he said no, and it was pretty funny. Anyways, after that, we went over to Taco Bell to have a lesson with JoAnne. We taught about some commandments. We went to the Cravens in the afternoon and discussed baptism with the parents, and the kids. They firmly said they wanted the baptism to happen. They were going to have an interview with President Hunsaker to set the date Friday, but Satan worked through James' work and that fell through. They got one for Sunday the 7th though. After the Cravens, we went over to the Carlsons' home for dinner. We got the nice surprise of them bringing a new investigator over for dinner! We had a great lesson, and he came to church on Sunday. After dinner and the lesson there, we went over to visit the Nordsells. They're a part member family and are really nice... They just never come to church. We've got another appointment, and hope to fix that soon.
Friday was alright. Most of our appointments fell through, and we had no success whatsoever at finding anyone to teach. We ended up having a lesson with JoAnne, then going to the Greys' for some dinner.
Saturday was great! We got ready early in the morning for the 1st Annual Frankfort Branch Sprint Triathalon! We couldn't participate because of the swimming, but we were there to make sure no one got lost biking. We didn't do a good job. One young man got lost and rode his bike all the way to Joliet! It was crazy!! Everyone rode their bikes, or drove their cars, everywhere trying to find him. He eventually found his way back to the high school where we started, and his sister was there to wait for him. That was nuts, but it was all pretty fun. It was a beautiful day, and the trails were awesome. Illinois is a really pretty place. They've got some great forest preserves that wind throughout all of the neighborhoods. After that most of the day ridiculousness, we met with the Watseka Elders to give them Artie's jumpsuit. After that, we ate, then got ready for Artie's baptism. We met JoAnne and Brother Giese at the church, then drove down in Brother Clinton Collins Giese the 3rd's car. The baptism was great. There were a lot of people there, and everyone was excited for him. His family even came, which was great. The one thing that prevented him from being baptized was his fear of their rejection. JoAnne enjoyed it, and is excited for her baptism.
Sunday was great! We had a lot of people at church! It was probably the most packed I've ever seen the church, which is something I said a week or two ago too... But this time it was even more crowded. We had a ton of investigators, and some visitors too... Including one from Tempe, Arizona! She wasn't anyone I knew, but was pretty nice. After church, we had MCM, ate, and got ready for Outreach. We went with Brother Willis to stop by a bunch of less actives, and had incredible success! We got a hold of the first family, and had a good discussion with them... Then left for the next family's home to find her, and a third less active there! We had a pretty long discussion and lesson, and they were really open to having more visits. After that, we didn't really have much else happen for the rest of the day. We did set up appointments, and make plans for the baptism though.
Monday was good. Our District Meeting got moved to 1, so we had the least productive 2 hours of the week open. We decided to go to SuperCuts. I got a pretty decent cut, but nothing spectacular. It should look good for the Baptism though. Oh yeah, I also got invited to go to some Zone Leader meeting thing where some guys from Salt Lake are going to be. They invited some missionaries to come to the training session, which will be on Saturday the 6th. Elder Hunt's going to hang out in Plainfield with Elder Na'a for the day, and I'm going up to Naperville with the Zone Leaders. I don't really know what to expect, but it should be interesting. Anyways... We had our District Meeting, which went well. After that, we split up... Elder Richmond came up to Frankfort with me, and Elder Hunt went down to Watseka. We had an appointment with Jim Blaney right away. It went well, and he actually said he would come to church. We pulled a Yoda on him and said, "there is no try, there is only do." After that, Elder Richmond conducted JoAnne's baptismal interview. She passed. After that, we all went over to Lisa Young's for dinner. After a great dinner, we had a double member present FHE lesson... JoAnne, and one of Lauren's friends that has come to church before. After that, we got tubed by the Portwoods, but had a really good phone conversation discussing what's holding Sister Portwood back from being baptized. I think we'll see some great things happen there pretty soon. We then went over to the Weichingers' home for ice cream, Uno, and a lesson. They're non members, and are pretty crazy. They're really friendly, and "try" to come to church every week. Hopefully our harassment will pay off soon.
Tuesday was great. We started off with a morning lesson at the Cancialosis home. It was great. She just got married, and moved up here to be with Bob. They're the family that was found from the newspaper ad. They loved it, and will be at church on Sunday, and possibly the baptism on Thursday. After that, our appointment with Sharon fell through, and we weren't able to get a hold of Joaquin. We later went to Steak and Shake and had a lesson with JoAnne. She had some really hard trials last night, that I was able to talk her through on the phone, but she was still a little shaken up. We had a good discussion though, and she's still set and excited to progress. After that, we had a dinner lesson at the Browns' home. It went really well. We taught the first half of the Plan of Salvation, committed them to come to church, then ate a huge meal. There were so many different dishes, it was crazy! After eating all of the food, Amber gave us some mud n bugs pie (chocolate pudding, oreos, and gummi worms). I felt ill from eating so much. After that, we went over to the Guymons. They're doing well. They said they kind of hope I stay another transfer, but kind of don't... So their son can request to be my companion on his mini-mission. We helped them make a family mission plan, and had a pretty good time there. They then brought out a s'more ice cream cake which was really good. I was so stuffed.
Today should be good! We've got Zone Activity. We're playing softball and frisbee. After that we've got dinner with the Vines', then are splitting for 2 appointments. Sweet!
Well, I'll talk to you later. I love you all so much, and am grateful for all you do for me as I serve the Lord full time. It is such a privilege to be on a mission and to have so many opportunities to bless others' lives.
Adios,
Elder Bradley Edward McMullin
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