Week 50

 This week was such a whirlwind, but SO awesome.
 

Before I start with this week, the week before last we had the biggest storm I've been in. We took shelter at the safe haven, which is the church building. While we were there, in a 10 minute span lightening hit the building at least 8 times. We were safe, but the power was out.  If it gets REALLY severe, they will evacuate missionaries to the mission office, and if it's like a Category 5 hurricane or something, they'll evacuate the mission. Probably to Orlando or something. So we're safe:)

Monday we met D. I don't know if I told you about him last week. He has SO many questions and is so eager to learn. BUT he told us he's not looking to be converted. We'll see how our appointment with him tonight goes. I hope he will see the value of this message and the impact it can have on his life.

Tuesday was Temple day! We got up at 4 in the morning and made it to the temple by around 7 or so. The temple was AWESOME. Oh my gosh. I miss it so badly. I want to go back! It was just so awesome. Afterwards we ate lunch at Panera's, and then drove back to the mission office. 

Temple selfies! With Sister Briggs (my MTC companion) and Sister Hunt

We drove past DisneyWorld!

We taught an awkward lesson that evening, where the couple was nice and listened but they weren't really interested, so it was weird to try to commit them to attend church and pray for themselves. They didn't really have the real intent.

Thursday was my birthday! We weekly planned and opened some gifts from family and friends. We opened presents and ate a slice of cake of a recipe that my mom sent me. That cake was so yummy!! After that, we went and painted a woman's wall for her, because she was moving. That was really fun. We came back to the apartment to change, then went out for the rest of the day. We saw D again and reminded him to read the pamphlets before we came back, and he said he definitely would. When we came in that night, I opened some more birthday packages. And that was the day I turned 20!

My birthday breakfast, birthday balloons, new watches, and birthday cake!

In the car ON my birthday 7/28. The clock time is showing 7:28!

The watches Sister Hunt's mom picked out for me!

Friday was a little stressful... We taught CJ and E, which was a REALLY stressful lesson because E was open, but CJ wasn't at all. He was very closed off but he wanted answers to his questions. It was cool, though, because even though there were times I didn't feel the spirit in that lesson, I definitely felt it when I testified of the Book of Mormon and the gospel. We invited them to read Alma 32 to understand what faith actually is and how to grow it, and then to call us when they were ready to learn more. We also set a baptismal date with the mom in that family that has met all of the missionaries in Odessa, but we haven't been able to meet with her again. it's slow going!

Saturday we went to Oldsmar and bought and ate boiled peanuts.

BOILED PEANUTS!! They were really weird. But I like them.

Sunday we met a family who are actually looking for a church and committed, with no hesitation, to come to church next week. We asked if there was anything that would keep them from coming, and they said "No!" I'm excited to see them there. We also found a new investigator! It was an awesome day! Oh, we also got caught in a HUGE rain and thunderstorm, BUT we were safe inside that family's house. Blessings!

That was my week! It was a great one. Hope you all have a great one, too!

With love,

Sister Minson