E-mail 02/06/2017

This was a good week. Full of traveling.

Monday, after emailing, we went bowling with the Greenville Elders. I started out pretty good, but then quickly lost it. In the evening we were heading to an appointment we made with a family we had met a few days before, and we couldn't find it, we drove all around, through a grave yard, and even almost drove into the woods that started right at a crest of a highway we were on, but no success. So we parked, and tried seeing if the GPS could find it, but nothing, then Elder Matealu asked "They said their apartment complex was 'Marvin Gardens', right?"
"Yes."
"Guys, 'Marvin Gardens' is from Monopoly."
We didn't know whether to be upset or impressed, so we just drove home. Also that day, when we were shopping, this guy asked us if we were Mormons, so we talked for a moment then he left, but as we were checking out in the self check outs, him and his wife had just finished checking out and walked up to me and asked some more questions, then asked where the church was and for some pamphlets, so I gave them a pamphlet with our number and they said they'd be at church. And while this is going on, one of the employees walked up to us asking if everything was ok (was probably going to kick me out of the store) and the couple said everything was just fine, that they were (in a southern accent) getting some Jesus! Because they needed some religion back in their life. When they left, they were never seen from again (they never came to church, oh well).

Tuesday, was a blur.

Wednesday, we drove up to Henderson and had district meeting/interviews with President and Sister Brough, and it's always great to talk with them. Then afterwards we went to another buffet (for those who don't know, buffets are the only place that can satisfy Elder Matealu), and while we were there someone walked up to us and squeezed my shoulder really hard, and I thought to myself "this is not normal." Well turns out that he is a member from Utah but works here in Kentucky. We talked for a little while, then he said he should probably tell us his name, his first name is Steve, but then wanted us to guess last name but gave us a hint that he has the same name as a famous Mormon, so after a few guesses we got it, apparently Steve Young is a famous Mormon; who knew? Any who, so we started an exchange, Elder Matealu was with Elder Lundgreen and Elder Ludwig went with Elder McIntosh to Greenville, and I was Elder Matealu's driver. We all had a good time and were able to teach some great lessons.

Thursday, we ended the exchange, then went and did some service, went by a part member family and taught a great lesson about the Book of Mormon. Then we went to the doctors because Elder Ludwig hasn't been feeling well, so Elder Matealu and I sat in the lobby trying not to be bored out of our minds, luckily we had reading material. Once we were done there we went to see an investigator who should be getting baptized this week. Then from there we dashed to the church because we had posted flyers for a quit smoking class, but after a while we decided it was a no show, so we locked up, dashed home quickly, packed a bag, grabbed something to eat and drove an hour and forty five minutes to Elizabethtown, YES! We got there 9:30 our time 10:30 theirs, and we spent the night.

Friday, we all got up and ready and waited for Mo, the mission bus, and drove up to Louisville for new missionary training. I sat in the back because it was odd being the only non trainer/trainee there, excluding the Broughs and the APs. President talked for the first few minutes, then the Assistants gave a training and President sat next to me and suggested that I participate in the training with my companions, so once I knew that I wasn't going to overstep my position I participated in my regular fashion. So after the Assistants, Sister Brough gave a short training, then we had lunch, then the Assistants gave another training, this one on the atonement. After that the trainees stayed in the room to ask President Brough questions and the trainers in another with the Assistants, then the Assistants and President switched. From there we all came back together and President talked about how companions should always have each others six, and I was finally able to get a video of President teaching with his jets! When it was all over, we went back to Elizabethtown and I wanted to stop by to see a few people before we left, but the only ones home were two of the young men who I was around a lot when I served there, and those little guys aren't so little anymore.

Saturday, a few of our appointments fell through, so we went to the church and studied the mission broadcast and we were asked to watch it like a game film. Then in the evening we drove out to one of the border towns. It was a nice drive because for the most part, it was straight roads (apparently they do exist in Kentucky), then to add to the adventure, the gas light came on when we were almost there, thankfully there were gas stations in town. Then the funniest part of the trip as that we had to go over a bridge to get into town and this bridge was the only part of this road that is not in the mission, so for the second time this week I drove out of the mission then back in. So we went to the home of a referral, the reason why we went there, and she's not there, but her dad was, so he welcomed us in to share our message and had a great discussion with him. Then we went home and went over the bridge again. One would think I was a rebel or something.

Sunday, church was good. Unfortunately neither of our progressing investigators came because they both were out of town, but a less active family came which was a pleasant surprise, and they had a good time too. We then took the sacrament to a member in a care home, then had lunch with some members. The husband was loving telling us stories, his favorite one was how he used to be a "Fonzy". Then we had a lesson with the investigators that we started teaching last week. So apparently there was something big that happened as well yesterday, but it must not have been important because no one wanted us to know about it.

Love y'all!
Elder Durrant
Great Kentucky Louisville Mission

Sister Brough posted this picture on Facebook this week, but I didn't notice Samuel until today.  Yes he is on the back row on the left.  Yes, that is a red head with his hair shaved. 

Here are more pictures that were posted on Facebook by a member last Monday.