Hey fam
We had a fairly busy week, but it didn't feel very productive. Lots of just "stuff" that we had to do. Tuesday we had a zone meeting that took up a chunk of the day. Wednesday we were down the hill for that choir practice. With the 3 hours of driving I had to do that day (drove 180 miles), we didn't get back in time to do anything besides dinner. I dont think i could stand to live in California because of the drivers here. ugh. haha. They aren't dangerous drivers for the most part, just... stupid.
Anyways. Thursday and Friday we visited people in the hospital. Lots of old folk in the ward. We've given I think 3 blessings this week. Friday we visited a less active woman named Jeri. This is the 2nd time we've met with her and both times we've had very touching lessons. She's gone through a lot in her life. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and the Restoration. She was at church yesterday for the first time since I've been in Barstow so that was good :)
Saturday we had the desert choir rehearsal. We were thinking that Elder Grill would just lead and some other missionary would be able to play piano but... there really wasn't anyone else that could play. So. I conducted. haha. I actually felt natural taking charge. Elder Grill had a hard time sight reading the vocal parts so I actually kicked him off the piano once and played myself. It was written weird; not all the parts they would sing were written in. Like there would be a half note but they would sing 3 words during that half note so I played that same half note in correspondence with when they were supposed to sing each word. If that makes sense. So it all worked out okay. It'll be interesting when I try to implement various nit-picky things in later rehearsals like blend, tone, breath support, and dynamics. Maybe just dynamics. haha. Mr Burrows would be proud. I think. haha. I dunno if I like it enough to do it for a living, but it's not a bad skill to have.
My back is fine by the way. I think I just tweaked some muscle. It was fine by Tuesday evening. I played basketball again on Saturday... haa... I like basketball :) and I'm back in my work out routine. I did 177 pushups this morning. Yipes. 76, then 69, then 32. Woot!
Misty ended up moving out to Lancaster and is going to church there. So we're really happy about that. Most of our investigators are lukewarm at best so we really need to do a push for finding. Oh here's something kind of funny. So in church yesterday we were in class talking about the gathering of Israel and the instructor gave everyone (besides us) a sticky note and basically told everyone to give us a referral. It was great! We got 5 names! 3 are members and 1 is on the other missionaries side, but it was still pretty funny. One of the westside's investigators moved out to Dagget, so she's in our area now. Her name is Barbara. We visited her yesterday and are starting to teach her. She has one of the roughest life stories I've ever heard. She wonders why so many bad things happen to her even though she has tried to do what's right. Both of her husbands have left her, and she's left with 2 kids, one who is severely handicapped, so she can't work full time since she has to take care of her son full time. We tried to explain both the concept that every person has their agency and also that the Lord allows suffering and trials so that he can exercise judgment, but I'm not sure she accepts that fully. We're going to try and explain the atonement and forgiveness when we see her on Thursday. We're also hoping the branch president can meet with her as well.
I found a scripture when I read the book of Job that I liked a LOT. It's Job 13:5 I think. It says "Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace, and it should be your wisdom." So. Basically, it says "if you would shut up and think before you speak, it would be wise." HA. I laughed aloud when I read it. I should write it down where I'll see it so that I remember it before I say something stupid. haha
I can't believe both Josh Jenkins and Josh Browning almost have their calls. That'd be so cool if someone came here :) we'd have an absolute blast!
It's been cold the last few days. 50s as the high and 30s for the lows. Feels like home, since it's so windy it's basically 20 with the windchill.
Well. That's what's been going on. Yup. I love you all!
Love,
Elder Browning
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