The ups and downs

This week was full of "ups and downs". However, the ups far out way the downs! Our progressing investigator Leshia is still progressing. She didn't make it to church on Sunday because of some  miscommunication but that is all sorted out now. She is prepared! We had our second lesson with her this last week about the Plan of Salvation. She had read from the Book of Mormon last time and wrote down all sorts of notes and questions. She is truly progressing. Plus Sister Jolley and I really prepared for the lesson and Heavenly Father helped us out a lot. That tends to happen when you do everything in your power to prepare and then let him guide the way. I love her and she has been waiting for this for a while. 

One of our progressing investigators dropped us. She was one that came to church but we went to visit and she told us the church "wasn't for her". Of course, as a missionary, I have had this before but I have really grown to love people so it hurts more and more every time. 

We have been working with a guy named Victor who is husband to a member of our ward. He has been through sets and sets of missionaries and began to progress when we first got here to Dover. As time went on he stopped progressing and he would go upstairs when we came over. They signed up on the meal calendar and when we went over the house was in chaos. The kids were jumping everywhere. Someone punched a whole in the wall. It was a mad house! We had no idea how we were going to calm everyone down to have a lesson. 

We offered to sing a song and that calmed things down a good amount. Sister Jolley whipped out her iPad and showed a slower more serious video which I didn't think would work. However, I knew she had the spirit so I supported her and it made all the difference. We showed "Mountains To Climb" and Victor was mesmerized. Apparently his sister had been in the hospital and that was exactly what he needed. As we left he walked us out to our car to make sure we were safe just like he used to do. The fire is rekindled!

It doesn't end there. We love fast Sunday and we decided to have a special fast for Victor to know what he needed. He came to church on Sunday (so happy!) But after Sacrament he promptly went to the van. Apparently he would go out there and wait until church was over. Not okay! So we found him and invited him to gospel principles. He kept saying he had some stuff to do but we began to address the importance of church. We ended up staying outside talking to him during all of second hour. He really opened up and we learned his real concerns. We went to dinner later at his house and were able to invite him  to be baptized. He excepted and is praying about a date. He said it meant a lot to him that we missed all of Sunday School just to talk to him. He is changing :)

If anyone one got through reading this entire thing I love you! If you didn't you missed out. John I am glad you are alive and invite you to never buy a bike again :) Congrats Jeff for graduating!!! I wasn't sure there for a while. haha jk. but seriously :) 

Love you all and remember to do your best and trust God,

Sister Zeller

pictures:

3204- I think I am going to make a wall of all the pictures I get with animals from my mission. This puppy really loved me and slept on my lap the entire lesson!

3202- Sister Jolley and I were walking to our dinner appointment when we hear the loud crack. We look over and see this tree falling over then BOOM! It hits the ground. It was crazy! Right in the members back yard.