Elder Jaren Brown: Rainy Miracles, Spiritual Kayaking, & Getting "Stuck" While Moving!

Hi Everyone!

Sometimes when things seem to be going well, we tend to slow down a little, and get into a routine. However, it can be surprising how quickly that routine can turn into a rut. I learned this week in interviews that life is like kayaking, if we stop paddling and allow the currents to push us along, we lose much of our ability to steer. I am so grateful for President Smith, and his ability to receive revelation to guide me and everyone else under his stewardship.

Interviews were on Tuesday, and I received some much needed guidance and correction. I now feel much better about my work, see more miracles, and have greater faith in the guidance of the spirit. We also had an exchange with the Staunton Elders. I had the opportunity to work with Elder Steadman, who is a wonderful missionary! He can be a bit shy, but when he does speak up, it is powerful! I commend him for his commitment to his calling, as talking to strangers all day can be quite difficult even for those who are very comfortable talking with others. We saw some cool exchange miracles, and began teaching a very interested lady in the pouring rain! Out here in Virginia, when it rains it pours! And it comes and goes very suddenly. We got a bit drenched at times, but I found it to be weirdly fun and exciting!

The member we are meeting with is doing well. His largest concerns are still there, but he is learning to trust God more, and we have seen his faith really grow a lot! He doesn't feel like he has changed much, but he is definitely changing! We had a great district council on Wednesday, and a good lesson with an older lady we are teaching. She doesn't want to come to church because it would involve leaving her daughter's church, and she doesn't want to create a rift in the family (a very valid concern), but she read 13 chapters in the book of Mormon this week! She has become so much happier since meeting with us.

We visited some less actives and gave some blessings on Thursday on splits with a member, and that was also our big planning day.

Friday was interesting, Brother Reams (the father of one of my favorite members in the Buckingham Branch) moved into our ward, and we briefly helped him get started. We unloaded the first truck very quickly, and then while trying to maneuver the second truck up his driveway, the back end (it had a flat hitch) dragged on the asphalt, got embedded, and the truck got stuck! So we had to unload a tilted truck from the road, that was fun! This one had all the heavy furniture, including a washer and dryer, and a piano! We moved the washer and dryer up to the second floor too. It was very eventful. They had to call a tow truck to drag them out of the asphalt, ripping up more on the way out. We also had dinner with three of my favorite older sisters in the Ward at cracker barrel, and saw some sweet miracles from persistence! We stayed out knocking doors until 9, and we found someone new to teach at the last door! He seems pretty solid.

On Saturday, we had some of the best Vegan food I've ever had! We had dinner with some older members who have gone vegan for about a year now. They cooked us the best Vegan stir fry I've ever had! I guess not all vegan food is gross, who knew?! We also had some success contacting some Less Active members who live out by them.

Sunday was pretty much the best day, as always! Taking the sacrament was very meaningful, and both of the talks were super good! Sydney came to church again, and we almost had someone come just from messaging them on Facebook! She's planning to come next week. We also saw some major miracles! We had a good lesson with KC this afternoon, and after helping a member give his son a blessing, we had about half an hour to find left, and we still hadn't met our goals yet. We knocked two doors and found 3 new people to teach! Let the Holy Spirit Guide, I guess! I was pretty much on cloud 9!

Anyway, hope y'all have a great week!

Elder Brown