January 29,2018 Week in Alachua

This week was CRAZY but AWESOME! 

This week we had transfers. On P-day, we took some good bye pictures. I'm glad that we have Facebook because then I can keep up with the progress of the investigators in Jax Beach. So transfer day came way to fast and we said our goodbyes and I left. There has been a flu going around and so at transfers, we weren't allowed to hug or shake hands(which was fine with me), but we could fist bump. I met Elder Gibby

Elder Elgaaen & Gibby

and he is awesome! He reminds me of Dory from Finding Nemo because he is always so happy and positive. He is very intelligent and consecrated as a missionary, always striving for exact obedience! 

So now I'm in Alachua Florida. It's a country town. There are lots of farms, cows, and Southern food. It reminds me of Idaho with all the country. Also most houses are a 1/2 mile apart. The people are all really nice and loving. The members attending in the area is not that many. Maybe 50-100 at most a week. They have a branch here and the building is the smallest church building I've ever seen. The Chapel has around 10 rows of benches and there is one overflow where the furthest shot you could shoot on their basketball court is 15 ft. The Stake wants to "upgrade" the building and make the branch a ward but they have to have a increase in attendance. 

With the missionary work in the area, it is going good. The investigators we have are very accepting and willing to listen. One set her own baptism date around 2 weeks ago for March. The branch mission leader is awesome! He has a very strong testimony of missionary work and its importance. He has been a ward mission leader before in different wards and knows what needs to be done to see miracles. The branch now just has to be willing to work and so they can be ready to receive the lords children to bring them into the waters of baptism. We as missionaries are helping all the branch families make family mission plans. The plan is how will they find someone who the missionaries can teach. They don't have to teach or prepare the person at all but just see needs and invite them to meet with the missionaries. 

I am super excited to work hard and really focus on missionary work this transfer and to strive to find those who are ready for baptism. Missionary work can and will bring so many blessings in everyone's lives who strive to  bring souls unto Christ. You are all awesome and I appreciate all you do for me! Continue to work hard and stay focused on Christ. I know if you do that the windows of heaven will open and blessings will be poured down upon you. I love you all and hope your weeks are all awesome!

Shaver in pieces