Elder Powell: Gift

Oh my goodness, hello hello!

Happy Monday and…..May Eve!! This is crazy! First and foremost, the Jazz had a sweet series against the Thunder and onto the second round! On top of that, I am under 12 weeks remaining on my mission with two transfers left. Yesterday evening I found out I will be dying in Frisco, Texas as District Leader! This will be my second time serving in the BIG D, first being in Irving, Texas 15 months ago. Throughout my mission, I knew I would die in Frisco, and it’s actually happening. Frisco is top 3 most wealthiest city in Texas and is home to the same church building that our Mission President attends (different ward though) as well as the same church building my parents will pick me up at in 12 weeks! This will be a crazy (and shopaholic) last few weeks!

Due to lack of time, this email will be a bit quicker. We had a wonderful past 7 days due to the weather being absolutely beautiful. People were happy and wanted to talk and visit with us. We found a big number of new investigators that are all under the age of 30. On top of that, we set a Baptismal date of 10 year old Tinnea Johnston for May 26th. So happy for her and her family!

Thursday night we went to small town Ft. Towson to knock some doors. The town is located 16 miles East of Hugo. The second house we knocked, we were welcomed right in by Cody and his family. Cody is a high school & college dropout but an entrepreneur of 4 businesses. He is married with 2 little kids. We has a technology and advertising business and has built up Hugo in helping businesses grow through advertising and installing wifi and technology tools throughout the city and in local businesses. Of course, I was freaking out meeting him. He has technology of all sorts in is home and has a shed full of classic tech. Would have never guessed to see this in one of the poorest counties in the United States. We taught a brief Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to him and he welcomed us back tomorrow for……..#FridayNightDateNight!!

To get the party started, we met up with our Assistant Branch Mission Leader and went out to their place to visit them. I had the prompting to be really prepared in teaching the Plan of Salvation to them and make sure we were spot on with each Doctrine subjects. We arrived and sooner than later, a friend shows up and joins in on the conversation, then a few minutes later, ANOTHER friend shows up and joins all of us. We were sitting on his porch in nice chairs and a fire having a massive discussion on the Plan of Salvation. All three people, especially the two friends that randomly arrived, shared their background stories explaining so many deaths in their families in the past five years. It was heartbreaking to listen to these stories. I have never seen so much peace come to someone while teaching and helping them understand there is hope and opportunities after this life. They were so incredibly happy that we were there and able to meet and visit them.

After we were wrapping things up, he mentioned he had a gift for me. Before me knowing what is was, he made me promise him that I wouldn’t use it until I return home. I got so confused and inside he went to grab the present. He walked out of his house and in his hands was a………..iPhone X Unlocked 258GB in the box!!!!! He and his friends showed such high love and appreciation for the help, comfort, love, and care we had for these individuals. Cody has a TON of technology and Apple Products that it wasn’t a big deal to give one as a gift and he truly admires what we do and looks forward to attending church with us. Cody and his wife also really admired Eternal Marriage of course May the Lord bless these individuals in so many ways, because they know what love is all about. By far some of the top best people I have met on my mission! It was truly a #FridayNightDateNight like none else.

I am grateful for the experiences I had while serving in Hugo, Oklahoma as well as serving so many people in this District and Zone. I look forward to serving another companionship of Elders and a Trio of Sisters while in the BIG D and to sprint to the finish line. My testimony has been solidified and sured that this is the Church of Jesus Christ and President Nelson is our living day Prophet. I am grateful for my mission and the things I’ve learned and continue to learn in the last few weeks. I know I am a child of God and I know we are all children of our Heavenly Father. My heart is full of peace and gratitude!

Thanks for all the love and support. Happy May and go Jazz!!

Bye