Texas week 10

This week was incredible, oh man! Miracles beyond miracles have happened every day those week! I honestly don't even know where to begin! We'll start last Monday evening.

It was memorial day and one of our members invited us over for barbeque! We had some incredible ribs and a really fun time. Before we went back into Denton to go home for the night, we decided to stop at an old investigators home. It had been over a year since the missionaries contacted her! She actually answered the door and we had an incredible conversation and she wants to learn about family history! It's crazy how close we were to leaving and just going back for the night but we didn't and we get to help this person work on her family history! 

We found a translator for S! One of our members brought S to our Book of Mormon study and she fell in love with her sweet heart! I mean, who couldn't? She was determined to find her a translator. The next morning she called us and told us she found one and they wanted to meet her that day! We were so excited so we met with her that morning! She was so happy to be able to speak Cambodian she started to tear up! It was so helpful too because now we can teach her without a language barrier and she can accept the gospel! The translators are both returned missionaries and they got married two weeks ago! They said they were planning on moving to Utah few days before we met them but things came up that prevented them from moving so soon. They were disappointed at first but now they understand that they had to stay so they could meet Sally! Things happen in crazy ways but we're so blessed that they happen. 

We saw C twice this week! Both times we were able read the Book of Mormon with her and change the whole atmosphere changed in her home. She also opened up to us Friday about all her challenges and it was so helpful because we can help her more fully now. She told us that she can feel the change when she reads the Book of Mormon. She says it's like an escape from reality, like a breath of fresh air. The Book of Mormon provides miracles!

Saturday was absolutely incredible! We started off by teaching H and C! The lesson went so well, they were soaking up everything we taught them, and the spirit was so strong. We knew we had to invite them to be baptized. They said yes to the invitation and are preparing for baptism on June 30th!! They're an example of the elect. They have been prepared their whole lives. We're honestly just teaching them so they understand everything. They already know that the church is true; I feel like  they knew even before we started teaching them!

We also taught G on Saturday. He is making such great progress and he shared a story about how he talked about religion in a normal conversation! He told us that he feels like he's at a crossroads because he has been seeing the improvement and the happiness in his life. He wants to move forward but there is some fear. He knows the right path though, we're just helping him choose it.

It wouldn't be missionary work if we didn't have some funny moments either.

Tuesday we were casually driving along when we hit a pothole and it made the most heinous noise ever. We were really confused and we also noticed a light that had come on in the car. Neither of us knew what it meant so I dug around the glovebox and I finally found the manual. Lo and behold the light meant we had a flat tire. So we pulled over, and sent an SOS to our district leader. Him and his companion rescued us. They may have made fun of us a little bit for knowing nothing about cars, but hey, what can you do?😂 We spent the rest of our afternoon thrift shopping near the car shop as they fixed our tire. Things that happen when a nail decides to attack your tire...

When we were teaching Aand his Bible study he likes to make strong declarations of his beliefs. He was talking about how churches are businesses and how his pastor has a private jet. Excuse me, what? I want a private jet! We told him that we don't pay our members in their callings, it's all volunteer. Later he told us to invite more people to the bible study and then eventually it will be so large we will have to start our own church. So A wants to start a church with us, that's chill I guess😂

The experiences you get to have as a missionary are unmatched. The joy you get from bringing the gospel to people is one of the best feelings ever. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be out here and get to experience miracles every single day. I love you all! Until next week😙

With love, Sister Emma Joi Gardner