Tuesday we had to say goodbye to President and Sister Cottle. What a bitter sweet experience that was! I am excited for them and their next step of life...but I will dearly miss them and all they have done for our mission. They truly care for each of us personally. You can feel the power and love in their words. They live worthy of our Father's direction, and you can see it through the bright light that shines in their eyes. I pray for them, and know they will change lives in Utah. :) One message I would like to share from their parting words is "No empty chairs." When we are in the celestial kingdom with our families, we don't want to see any empty chairs. Let's make sure we do all we can to get everyone there. Next week we will welcome in the Graysons. What an incredible experience! Their lives are about to be completely changed!
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Saw a mural during one of our longer drives. :D
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After our goodbyes, we went on exchanges with the Hazlehurst sisters. Hazlehurst is such a cute little town! One of the goals of the sister I was serving with was that she would know everyone in the town. Wow. While that seems like an incredible feat, it prepares people! Even if they don't accept the gospel at this time, they may in the future. By leaving them with a good impression and an opportunity for them to act, she is leaving them with a sturdy seed of faith that can be prepared for that moment when their heart is softened and ready to accept the incredible message of the restoration! Miracles happen when we have the bravery and diligence to do this work in all situations.
Remember Miss Betty? Well, we haven't been seeing her much because she really isn't progressing...and it doesn't look like she will in the future. However, Thursday was her birthday! So we made her some cute little pipe cleaner flowers and put them in a mason jar with a ribbon and some dirt. It sounds awful, but was actually quite adorable. We dropped them off that evening while staying for a few minutes to visit with her. She was trying to put together a new bird bath...long story short, sister Anderson and I learned how to assemble an elaborate bird bath. Miss Betty is so sweet, but every time I think about her, I consider what our conversation might go like in the next life.... I may say something like, "Miss Betty! I'm so happy to see you!" to which I pray she doesn't ask, "Sister Brown, why didn't you tell me what I was missing?" We try so hard to help people understand what their life could be like...but ultimately, it is up to them to decide to act upon the message. We do all we can, but in the end, it is up to them. I love these people and pray with all the energy of my heart that they let it in.
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| The Coca cola factory/not sure what to call it...driving through Mcrae |
I am out of time, but let me just say....our first investigator in Douglas came on Sunday!!!!! It has been a challenge to get them here, so hopefully that will start picking up speed soon. Also, we met an amazing family Sunday night-the Hansleys. They're so sweet and definitely an answer to prayers. I couldn't get their neighborhood out of my mind. So we went there on our way home at 8:50 at night to find whoever we needed to. We drove until the spirit told us to stop, got out, and their sons came running up to us. We talked to them for a while, then the asked us if we wanted to talk with our parents. Their parents invited us in to sit and talk at their table where they had just been having a discussion of their own. It was a wonderful evening! Work to the very last minute! It pays off :D This work is amazing! I love being completely enveloped in it!
Love,
Sister Brown
PS. Enjoy your summer vacation and invite God in all you do!!
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