Hey y'all!
 
This week was a stark contrast from last week. I feel that my whole mission is very bipolar week to week...anyway...

The area here really exploded this past week. We are beginning to work with a lot of part member families. On Wednesday, we received a text from Bishop Chisolm. It said that Jared Gant would come to church if we delivered church clothes to him. So on Thursday we went to deliver the clothes. We committed him to church, and reading Alma 18. During the visit he mentioned that he has only been to church a total of a dozen times in his life, and has no background of the Bible. He is very open, and receptive to learning. He said that his motive in learning more is his family. I am excited to go to the Gant home tonight and teach him about the Restoration. His wife is super excited about him being receptive to the gospel at this time.
 
This week we visited Patricia Carter. She has been recently coming back to church. Even though it is every other week since that's when her mom is home on the weekends. When I asked her what their families motive is for coming back to church. She mentioned that it is for the blessings that will come. She said that they have been through a lot lately, and figured going back to church would help. By the end of the visit we had a return appointment for this Wednesday. We are going back when Michael; her non-member husband is off of work. We are excited to be able to help him to understand more about the Book Of Mormon. Since he has recently started to read it. 
 
Yesterday, we met the Mask family. During the past few weeks I have felt strongly prompted to go to a specific area here. But we haven't been able to get there because of limited miles. We finally had plans to be out that way yesterday. So we Spiritual Harvested that area yesterday afternoon. As we began walking into the neighborhood. A house immediately stuck out to both Sister Tu'ifua, and I. We knocked, and were immediately welcomed into the home. As we talked, LouRay mentioned how she has visited many churches but has never felt comfortable. She even convinced her husband Wayne to come visit our church "soon". What was neat about this experience. Is that Wayne knows a lot of the members in our congregation. Also, even though LouRay says she is "Baptist" and probably won't change. She said that she may change her mind. What's neat to me is that LouRay is definitely seeking the gospel even though she doesn't know it right now.
 
Also, yesterday Sister Cummings came up to Sister Tu'ifua, and asked that we start teaching her daughter. :)
 
This week I was given more understanding regarding 2 Nephi 27:4-5. We teach a lot about the Apostasy. But no one seems to understand very clearly about WHY it happened. In fact, quite a few people get angry at God. Since they can't understand why he would leave his children in darkness. But verse 5 clearly points out hat the reason is because of "iniquity". That is what we as missionaries always share with those we teach. But I could never really find the doctrine behind it...so now I do! Hopefully as I share this scripture now people will understand.
 
My prayer is that as we all continue to diligently study the scriptures. I know that as a result. New understanding will be given to us.
 
Love y'all!!
 
Sister Whitney Jo Williams