Monday, April 13, 2015

8th Month Mark/33% done

Well, today is a special day that I wasn't really looking forward to. :) I am 1/3rd of the was through with my mission! I can't believe that I've really been here for eight months. It's been an amazing experience so far, and I am so excited to see what is going to happen in the next 16 months. 

Well, with that out of the way, we've had an  interesting transfer here. We got to Kennewick almost three weeks ago. Replacing another set of missionaries is very unusual. There was not very much left for us in terms of people to teach or things to do. But we've been finding new people. This past week we've found 4 new investigators. :) We've also had General Conference, which was an amazing experience. If you haven't seen it, go watch it. Or just watch it again. :) 

Because of General Conference, we've only been to church twice here, so we're still trying to get to know everyone and get everyone's names straight. And to add to that, the Kennewick Stake was completely realigned this week, so our boundaries have changed. More people to know and forget which ward they live in! :) But it's fun. We've been having a lot of really cool lessons with some amazing people. 

In one of our wards, there is a recent convert named Grant. He was baptized the Saturday before we got to Kennewick, so we've been teaching him the new member lessons. Grant is so cool. He was introduced to the church by meeting missionaries at a service organization that helps people with learning disabilities. So when the sister missionaries knocked on his door, he let them right in, and he was baptized within three weeks. He has such a strong testimony, and he is very excited about the Gospel. I'll include some pictures of his basement. He propagates live coral and clown fish for work. :)

One of the new investigators we found this week, Mike, was given a Book of Mormon by his friend. By the time we talked with him, he had gotten up to Mosiah. And he loves the book. We had a lesson with him about the Restoration, and committed him to baptism. He said he would when he receives a spiritual witness that the Book of Mormon it true. We tried to commit him to a date of May 9th, but he's going to be out of town. So I guess we'll have to give him another one. :) 

Good things are happening! :) I'm very glad for this opportunity I have to be a missionary, and to represent Jesus Christ. I may not be perfect, but I know that as I live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I can be strengthened and made clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and that that can happen to anybody!

Love, Elder Plehn