Update from North Carolina!!

Update on the T Family (if I have even written about them before): Sadly, this week they discontinued us. But... we did not give up! We got a text from her saying she thought it would be a waste of our time to come over because she was not willing to change and her husband had no interest or desire to learn more. Through the great example of my diligent companion, we called right away and begged (nicely) if we could still come, for just one more lesson. They agreed and we came later that evening. We gave that lesson everything we had. We bore our testimonies, used the Book of Mormon, and made sure to validate their concerns. It was amazing to teach in unity with my companion. We had the same goals and the same desires and we just wanted so badly to be able to help them have the blessings of the gospel.  We did our best to show our love and express concern and desire for them to get answers for themselves. It was a wonderful lesson and we went away with the confirmation from the Spirit that we had done all we could. 

The Spirit really helps us in those times where we could not do it alone. I have seen that time and time again.

We have been trying to get into a great potential investigator families' home, the W's. They are the most adorable family. We first met her outside her home and she said all growing up she had been mistaken as a Mormon because they have 8 kids in their family. So right away we got off to such a good start with them. We still have not successfully made it inside due to health concerns on their part and timing of both parents being home. We have so much hope for them and they have been so kind to us. Not that I was wanting to give up on them, but I became even more focused and excited to teach them after a recent convert family in our ward told us their conversion story. They told us about the lovingly boldness of the missionaries who first taught them. They called every day for a week or two and then they finally agreed to meet with them. While we have not been as persistent (and maybe our situation calls for a different level and type of persistence), we are not going to give up on them yet. We know that the Spirit has been inspiring us to see them for a reason. 

We have been praying to have an opportunity to see them so I hope that means that doesn't mean that all of our appointments are going to fall through so we can see them sometime this week. It's the hardest because our 7pm weeknight spot fills up so quickly! haha We love it though.

We also had interviews this week. I love our mission president. He is so kind and knowledgeable of the gospel. He is a no nonsense kind of person and I absolutely love that about it. I have the perfect picture to describe his personality. He put carrots, dried apricots, and apple slices outside of the interview room and it said,

"President Bernhisel's healthy treat." HAHA CARROTS AS TREATS! WHAT IS THIS WORLD?!?!? :) haha I eat carrots all the time when I get cravings for sweets. I keep getting worried that my skin pigment is going to turn orange like that one friend of Julieann's. 

What else?!?!? Hmm... AB's sister in law died this week. It was hard to see her so sad. Her real sister died about two weeks ago. They are both younger than her so that was troubling for her I'm sure. It was good to be with her on that day and I really felt like I was able to fulfill in a small portion a part of my baptismal covenant to mourn with those that mourn.

We went to pick her up for church on Sunday with a member and her eye was swollen and I was just like can her life get any harder?!? :( But we love her so much and we will see her later this week. We can really see the Spirit working on her and she is loving the Book of Mormon.

Love ya lots. Keep reading the scriptures. Especially when you're sad. Or mad. Or angry. Or bored. READ THE BOOK OF MORMON! It will make you happier. :)