Mission Newsletter #34

Last Monday was Memorial Day! Hooray! We had so much fun! First, we were able to have a grand BBQ with Justin! He had the Elders and us over for some big meaty burgers! They were so good and so filling! Somehow, Justin was able to eat 4 BURGERS! How can you do that with these burgers?! But, all I have to say is I LOVED the southern "cook out!" Drinking out of Mason jars, flippin burgers, cooking the baked beans in the can on the grill, etc. Classic. :)

Right after Justin's, we headed over to the Rehab house, where we were able to meet with Cecil and Walter.

It seems like we are boiling down to the real serious investigators. For Memorial Day, we left them with a fruit American flag cake! Yippee! So cute! (All Sis. Shattuck's idea) Walter is progressing leaps and bounds! He once again came to church and took the Word of Wisdom lesson very well. We set goals and resolutions for him right there in the lesson. Justin sat in and was a good support for him. After the lesson, we watched as Justin and Walter exchanged numbers in the parking lot. They live just around the corner from each other and are starting to really hit it off! We are so excited and hope they become good friends, cuz that's something they both need. :)

Huge moth! 

This last week has been a momentous one with rain, Rain, and more RAIN! haha. In the South, when it rains, it pours! I don't think I understood that phrase as much as I do now. In Alabama, you feel a drop and RUN! Let me tell you a sweet little story that happened to Sis. Shattuck and I Saturday night that perfectly describes this point:

It was late and our appointment that was supposed to meet us at the church stood us up. So, it's 8:40 and

we begin our trek home. It's nice and warm. Clear skies. Just nice. However, about 10 minutes into our 45 minute walk, we felt a drip. Where did the beautiful skies go?! Being missionaries, we decided right then that we were going to have the faith that no matter how much it rains, we will be protected and remain dry. :) But, maybe we shouldn't have said it out loud and cursed ourselves cuz I'm pretty sure I heard the Lord say, "Wanna bet?" Because right then it dumped buckets of rain ALL over us! We ran as much as we could home, but it was pointless. We were soaked and so were our things. Some things (mormon.org cards, pamphlets, etc.) did not make it through the journey and some are trying to still recover (my Missionary Handbook, Bible, etc. still drying in the apartment). Needless to say, when we stopped by the elder's apartment to get our car keys back, we were not happy...

The same guy who stood us up that night rescheduled with us for Sunday. Little did we know that he planned to bring two other friends with Bibles in hand, ready to bash. What once used to scare me before the mission, does no longer. Sis. Shattuck refused to bash, although we answered their questions and left them with our testimony. Bible bashes don't scare me anymore, not cuz I have a greater knowledge of the Bible, but because I know the Lord will have my back and will allow the spirit to speak greater than I ever could. So, if anyone ever tries to back you up into a corner, remember, angels attend you and all you have to do is open your mouth and bear testimony of it!

Lastly, I want to share with you something that our President shared with us last week in his email to us.

Biggest flower EVER!

"God's gift of AGENCY was a supreme sacrifice of love by our Father. He knew we wouldn't always choose correctly, but he still allows us to choose. Jesus's gift of the ATONEMENT was likewise a supreme sacrifice of love by the Savior. Surely, no one has done more. And the sacrifice of OUR WILL to that of God can be our supreme sacrifice of love to Heavenly Father." Isn't that incredible? Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ both gave us big gifts of love. Our gift we can give is to align our will with God's. That gift is so small in comparison because His Will will always be in our best interest. Thank God today for these wonderful gifts we've been given and try to strive everyday to be in alignment with Him. I know no greater happiness comes than by that.

I love you all! Hope you have a fabulous week full of clear skies! ;) Remember, the Lord loves you and is watching over you.

Lots of Love,
Sister Salmond