Mission Newsletter #35

Matching "Blessed Girl" Shirts! (Our Companionship Matching Item)

First off, I love y'all! Just thought you should know.

Secondly, this week has been awesome! Sister Crandall and I made a goal that we would invite 70 people to learn more about the gospel, outside of tracting. We worked sooooo hard and really pushed to talk to everyone and include the gospel in it to ask them if they'd be interested to learn more. We Made Our Goal!!! Wahoo!! Today we are totally going to get a treat to celebrate!

Helping Tom Clean out His Garage (almost spelled Garbage... That would've been bad. haha)

Sadly, not many accepted our invitation to learn more. (In fact, only 3 people did.) However, we gave that many more people the opportunity and if we hadn't, we may not have gotten those 3 people to say "Yes." We hope to be able to continue to do this the upcoming weeks to meet and invite as many as we can to come into the Lord's fold.

One of the tools to our success was at Watermelon festival in Russellville! So fun! We got to go meet people

Our Fresh Squeezed Lemonade!

and talk to them there. There was also a Jehovah's Witness booth with two guys with white shirts & ties, AND NAME TAGS! No wonder why people always confuse us for them! haha. I had to take a double take! We talked to them and it was quite pleasant. They were nice to us and we exchanged teaching material. The best part of the festival was the fresh squeezed Lemonade! ;) Sister Crandall and I couldn't resist and each enjoyed having one. It was a good time and beautiful weather!

Remember the big shenanigan of biking in the rain last week? Well, after all that craziness, we met a sweet girl, April, on her front porch. This last week we were able to go back and see her. It was great! She is in a ‘Joseph Smith period’ herself, trying to find the path that is right for her. She also believes that the First Vision could have definitely happened. The lesson was really good with her and the spirit was there. She promised to pray on the message we left and said the closing prayer, her first time praying out loud. I pray for her and know the Lord is watching over her. She has great potential! She is a Beautiful Daughter of God and beyond sweet! (Her mannerisms kind of remind me of Alexa too, which is kind of fun/weird.) I am excited to see what is in store in her future as she accepts the Gospel into her life.

Outfit Swapping! 

Also, Dextiny was baptized last week in Sylacauga! Even though I couldn't go, I was so happy for her! She will be so blessed by making that decision!

Lastly, while in Russellville, I have come to hear about a Rodeo Church! They have rodeos and worship intermixed every week! There is also a Rocket ship church! What a Party! Anything you want, they have a church for you down here! The key word is YOU. They have anything YOU want. Sadly, people forget that ultimately, it's what GOD wants. He knows best and it is only by His way can we make it back to live with Him again. We have His gospel on the earth, where He can guide us and lead this church. No matter where you go, that will never change. "God is the same yesterday, today, and forever" and so is His doctrine and church. I am so grateful to be a part of that church and have a knowledge of that. When I move, there is no need to "church shop" for the place I like best. I will always have The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wherever I go and it will never change. This is the God we know. One who loves and guides us. He is not one of confusion. We are so blessed to have a testimony and membership in this church. Always cherish that and show your gratitude to Heavenly Father for that gift. It's a rarity down here.

I love y'all and hope y'all have a Fantastic Week Without Me! ;) hehe. I know y'all miss me. Write me!

Lots of Love,
Sister Salmond

Spices Here in the South

The freakiest bug we found in our apartment! It's like Randall on Monsters, Inc. Just not purple and less cute. (We flushed him down the toilet.)

A Squirrel Tail!?! There is no doubt I'm in the Country! haha.