Another week in Iowa!

Dear Family & Friends:

Exchanges L-R  Sisters Porter, Hill, Call, Despain

We had exchanges on Tuesday, but this time we changed things up a little bit and so instead of having the Sister Training Leaders come to Mount Vernon and we all work in our area, we went to Cedar Rapids and were able to spend the day in their area!  It was a lot of fun because I was able to spend the day with Sister Despain who was in my MTC district!  Their area reminded me a lot of Des Moines where we saw and taught people of all nationalities so that was a little change from good ole' Mount Vernon!  All of Sister Despain’s and my plans were falling through, but we decided to go and try by their investigator Heather's, who lives next to a recent convert that has not even answered the door since her baptism when the missionaries have tried by.  Right when we knocked on Heather's door, the recent convert neighbor walked out of her door to grab something from her car.  Sister Despain had never met her, but knew of her so we were able to talk with her and set up an appointment for the Sisters to see her the following day!

Wednesday, we were back in Mount Vernon and after studies we were heading to our car when Sister Porter asked if we could drop by Karin and Anthony's place, which we did and they were so glad to see us and Karin said that we came at just the right time!  Her brother is in town for the week and they had had a little argument the night before and so she was a little upset from that situation.  We were able to share a scripture with them.

We then were able to help V, meet several less actives, have a lesson with Bruce and Gerry, and see Dawn (who we had helped move in about a month ago).  

Thursday, we had district meeting and then were able to see a few people before dinner at the Cardon's.  Sister Cardon is the Young Women's president and asked if we could see some of the young women and help encourage them to come to activities/church.  Right after dinner we went to see Brooke and it was neat because she said that whenever people come and talk about young women's she gets excited, but then when Wednesday night rolls around she forgets, or doesn't have the motivation to come, so we talked with her on ways that we could help her make it to the activities!  She enjoys art and cooking, which they have a cooking activity every month and they are planning on going over to Mickey's and have Mickey show them some of her artwork, so hopefully we can help Brooke come!

Thursday evening we went to see Karin and Anthony again and were able to share insights from our study as well as from their study.  Karin had read Acts 3 and she said that the importance of prophets stuck out to her, which was perfect for testifying of a living prophet on the earth today!  We were disappointed that they haven't been reading from the Book of Mormon, so we specifically committed them to read at least a chapter together as a family!  Also, there is another Relief Society activity on Wednesday so Karin and her daughter Angela are excited to come to that!  Also, another exciting thing is that before this week Angela wouldn't sit in when we were over, but now she is sitting in and then on Saturday when we saw them and we were asking to set up a return appointment, Karin said Friday, and Angela said Tuesday!  So we are going over tomorrow! 

Sister Porter with Toad #2

Friday was another good day!  We saw Mickey and had a new member lesson with V, helped paint a shelf, had dinner with the Offen's and Shelbie who is their grandson's girlfriend was their so we were able to teach the Restoration, but as we were halfway through Ken and Apple (who were married the other week) showed up and joined in on the lesson, so we are getting Apple a Book of Mormon in Thai!

Saturday we saw Jeff and he is continuing to make good progress in his reading of the Book of Mormon! Then we had lunch with the Griffith's and helped paint their bathroom!  We saw Karin and Anthony again that day, afterwards we were heading to check on a potential and there was a couple sitting on their porch with their dog.  We started talking to them and I asked what kind of dog they had.  They replied "a Rhodesian Ridgeback" haha I immediately said no way and got all excited and asked if I could pet their dog, because it was the first Rhodesian Ridgeback that I have ever seen in real life.  We ended up talking to the wife for 20-30 minutes so that was fun!

Sunday was Fast Sunday for us and after church we had dinner with the Yahr's.  Brother Yahr is the High Priest Group Leader, and is battling brain cancer, but they are such an amazing couple! We showed the new Mormon message "The Hope of God's Light" and were talking about prayer and Brother Yahr said that we should read President Eyring's talk from this last General Conference "The Priesthood Man" and focus on prayer and the things that President Eyring says will happen as we pray more sincerely! Afterwards we saw Carina who was recently reactivated, and we were able to meet another one of the less actives in the branch.  But when we met David, he was one of those that you immediately say to yourself "he would make a wonderful young men's president."  We'll see what we can do there!

Our Sister Training Leaders gave us a seal that we named Bruce and we are supposed to take pictures with the seal.  Thus, "Bruce" (the seal)  riding the bike!

Today was a fun day as well!  We had a zone p-day and went to the Palisades-Kepler State Park just west of Mount Vernon and played games, and went on hikes.

Well I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Love, Sister Call