Good morning folks!
It's been a pretty great week in Carolina Norte. We definitely taught some great lessons this week and I continue to learn more about the Gospel and about myself.
I'll just go through the highlights of the week for ya:
Tuesday we helped with the baptism of an 8-year old in the branch. Being in a branch is super fun because the missionaries do EVERYTHING. We set up the Sacrament on Sundays, we interpret for all the meetings, we give blessings, we clean people's yards, counsel recent converts, and even escort old ladies to the pulpit. It's really a blast. But this baptism was different because it was in Spanish, which means the interpreting was done in English. I had the honors of interpreting. It felt kind of strange, but it worked out nicely. Something I've definitely seen on my mission is the Gift of Tongues and the Gift of Interpretation of tongues. Whenever I interpret, I feel the power of those gifts. It's like the words just flow. But the baptism was great and very spiritual. I enjoyed having the opportunity to serve.
On Wednesday we didn't do too much, nothing to report at least. But we did visit a man named J. He stays in assisted living because of cancer and some mental disorders, but he's great. We go over and talk with him and share spiritual thoughts, and give him blessings of comfort. It's funny, every time we go he either asks for a dollar or some candy. I usually carry some Werther's with me, so I always give him a few. But that's not the point. The point is that when you visit the sick and afflicted, you feel something very special. You're just filled with love that you can't even really describe. I left his room feeling very uplifted and I went to bed with a smile on my face that night.
Thursday we had a great lesson with our baptismal date, A. We talked about the Holy Ghost and the Gift of the Holy Ghost and how to recognize answers to prayers and things like that. At this point, he really REALLY has a desire to know if the Book of Mormon is true. He says he hasn't received an answer yet (that he knows of), but he will keep reading. I think the key with him will be getting him to church. We're hoping to get somebody over there to fellowship with him this week so he doesn't have to go alone. But please pray that he gets an answer to his prayers! That will make all the difference in the world!
On Friday we did a surprise visit with our old friends O and P. We got there and they hadn't changed a bit. They're old and unhealthy, so they don't move much haha. O just loves us. She calls us her "adopted sons." She said something really funny. "When I"m healthy and can get out of this chair then we'll dance." But she's super exaggerated especially when she feels the Spirit. She always talks out loud and claims it's the voice of God speaking through her. I still don't know whether to believe her or not. But we gave her a blessing of health and she was really happy that we stopped by. We talked briefly about prophets and she said "I hope you two become the greatest prophets that have ever walked this earth." We'll see about that haha.
Sunday was a pretty big day. We had been preparing for a few months for a fireside that we had last night. Brother West, the branch mission leader, wasn't expecting anyone to show up. So we originally set it up in the relief society room. But people just kept coming and coming! We weren't even expecting thirty, but I think we had almost sixty in attendance! That made me super happy. So the fireside was great! We had a member of the stake presidency speak to us about conversion. And I sang again! I sang "I Need Thee Every Hour." The song was great, and actually in my range this time. I really enjoyed it. I think between that and the great speaker and fellowship, the fireside was a big success. Definitely made my night. Well week, actually.
So that was my week! We had a lot of fun this week raking up leaves and teaching lessons! Although serving a mission is by far the hardest thing I've ever done, it's all worth it for the joy that it brings.
Have a fantastic week!
-Elder Landon Carroll
Landon received an "orange" package from his family for Halloween!
Landon saw this "tractor-tron" on the road.
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