Dear everyone,

We started teaching a Book of Mormon class in the ward this week and I'm so excited about it. In part, because I love the Book of Mormon and now I get another hour to study it each week. But also because this is such a good way for us to help our investigators to have a better understanding of the Book of Mormon, a handful of less-active members of the Church came, and the active members are coming and inviting and gaining confidence in us as missionaries which makes them more likely to refer us to their friends. (Sorry for that awful sentence structure but not sorry enough to fix it). 22 people came the very first time! Including A and her mama. Amazing. Good all around. 

On Saturday we were trying a former investigator and had plans to contact in the area afterwards. There weren't many people home but there was a boy in the street shooting hoops. We went and met him. 14 years-old. Plays center on the basketball team in Warner Robins. J is probably the most meek person I have ever met. Very quiet and gentle. In no way cocky or puffed up. We asked him if he or his family attended a Church/if he would like to. He said, "Well... my family doesn't go but I think that I would like to." "Why is it that you want to attend a church?" "I just think that when you go to church that good things can happen." Such a simple and pure testimony! When we go to church, when we keep God's commandments, good things can happen. My heart was so full of love for this young man who wanted to do what was right with his meager understanding and humble desires. He lives outside of our area but we're sending missionaries to him. :)

On Sunday we were teaching a man about doing the small and simple things every day. We talked about the brushing your teeth analogy: Let's say you don't brush your teeth all week long. So it gets to be the end of the week and you put 7x the toothpaste on your toothbrush. That'll make up for it, yes?

AND HE SAID YES. And told us that sometimes if he missed a day he would brush his teeth 2x the next day. So that didn't work. And it was funny. And he is so light-hearted so we all laughed and then helped him understand differently and got him the BOM app on his phone and he's gonna read every night. It was just so funny. 

We had several miracles happen with our investigator R. First, we've been meeting with him at an assisted living home but that is crazy hectic because it's loud an there's people everywhere and his roommate likes tv. But it also hadn't been working out to get him to a member's home for lessons. So this week he told us there's a library at the center and we can meet there and we did and it was so quiet and good!!! 

Also there's a burger place in our area called Bad Picture Burgers. The idea is that they serve really good burgers but show really awful movies. Like... poorly-made-cringe-worthy movies. Isn't that so creative? I've also heard the food is spot on but.. we can't go there cause we don't watch movies. 

The weather is becoming more moderate and that is mucho appreciated. 

Each time that you make a right choice, you are allowing the Lord to pour out a shower of blessings that we deny ourselves by doubt or fear or sin. Keep closing the umbrella. (see Living the Gospel Joyful, President Uchtdorf). Press on.

If we do what’s right we have no need to fear,

For the Lord, our helper, will ever be near;
In the days of trial his Saints he will cheer,
And prosper the cause of truth.

How thankful I am to labor for the cause of truth.

Sister Emma Caroline Gore