Elder Powell: Pine Wood Derby!

Hey y’all!

Wow!! It feels like it has been forever. Last Monday was a full day of activities that emailing time was awfully limited. However, it was indeed an exciting day because we drove up to the BIG D and picked up a brand new, off the lot, 2018 Silver Chevy Malibu! Can I tell you, of the three accidents I’ve been involved in throughout my mission, I was sure panicked to drive it through rush hour in Dallas! It was fantastic. We happily made a stop at…..CHICK-FIL-A to celebrate and give me a good luck charm driving it back up to Hugo Oklahoma for the two hour drive. Oh my heavens what it amazing to go their again. It was more delicious than I have ever remembered! Thanks to the best restaurant, we happily made it back to small town Oklahoma…where everyone gives us strange looks and comments because the car is out of place in such a poor town…..haha.

On Tuesday, we played with fire again! We continued to burn lots of trees at a member’s house with a big bonfire. It was so exciting. We even got to make a couple s’mores afterwards. Yum! We also had a few lessons with some of our new investigators! Joey and Nikki Baker, Kaitlyn, and Bryan are the top four people becoming close to accepting a Baptismal Date. We are proud of each of them!

On Wednesday, we had District Meeting and Interviews about three hours South in Gilmer Texas! Being the only in-person District Meeting this Transfer, it was a thrill to be with everyone for a couple hours. There were many uplifting and spiritual testimonies and trainings that we all grew from. I can now say I have one more ‘normal’ Interview with my Mission President before I do my ‘Exit Interview!’ How exciting.

Saturday evening we were able to go on a wonderful Split with two members of the Branch. Elder Grimes went to two small towns West of Hugo for the first time; Soper and Boswell and learned the area. I stayed in Hugo and had a lesson with a returning member and an older sister that doesn’t get visited much. The member I was with was the Branch Assistant Mission Leader and he was absolutely loving the evening expressing that it was by far the most impactful and meaningful split he was ever been on. It was a huge success and able to visit a lot of people between the two companionship!

The event you all have been waiting for………in celebration of the clinch of the Utah Jazz in the Playoffs for the second consecutive year…..it is now time for….. ❤️ #FRIDAYNIGHTDATENIGHT! ❤️

We had our Branch Party which was a Pine Wood Derby!! There were 33 cars that entered the completion including Elder Grimes and myself. However, I came in 7th place and Elder Grimes came in 28th place. Hahaha it was something else. We had over 80 people show up. The biggest turnout the Branch has ever had in any event. A large number of less active members and non-members were there including…..a young cute couple we taught the Plan of Salvation and Eternal Marriage a couple Friday’s ago!! It was soooo exciting to see them! There was a ton of food to be eaten and everyone was having a blast. The couple continued to ask us questions of eternal marriage and how we we view families. It was so special. They are loving the church and are progressing. I was jumping up and down again of excitement and it was adorable.

However, before the Branch Party began, we did quickly stop at Subway for potato soup in preparation for the party. Haha and there was a REALLYYYYY cute couple there that I gave them three peanut butter cookies and taught the Plan of Salvation to them and they have been married for……SEVEN MONTHS. I was so happy for them. Karen and Troy. Both 23! They are just loving married life and the blessings it brings. Of course, they wanted to learn more of how we view families so they became new investigators!! How happy for both of them. It was too cute!

I am blessed to be able to serve as a full-time missionary for 15 more weeks. My testimony for the Gospel of Jesus Christ has deepened and strengthened in so many ways. I know Heavenly Father lives and loves each one of us. I’m grateful I have the opportunity to share this knowledge with such wonderful bright people in the South. I have never been happier in my life. We are to have complete joy.

Thanks for all your love and support. Have a wonderful week and enjoy “Spring Flowers that bring May Flowers!”

Bye

– My car is the bottom one with the little man!