5/22/17

Hello everyone, we had a pretty solid week this week.

Tuesday we went to district meeting then went to Columbia and I worked on a project. and now I'm out of projects, but its cool. At the bus stop at the Columbia mall George, the guy Elder Dameus gave a Book of Mormon too was there. I gave him a restoration pamphlet and we talked about it. It was super sweet, he has read 1 Nephi already so he already has a testimony of the book.

And we got two free meals that day. No complaints.

Wednesday we were out following up on referrals and such. It was super hot. Throughout the week we got 2 new people who are down to be taught, but we haven't been able to get with them due to lesson cancellation or something like that. But we are getting new people.

Thursday we were with Hank shopping with him. It was quite the journey, but the sushi we had was very good.

Friday was another day of trying people and we contacted a referral. Most of these people ordered a bible online and then we come and present them with a Book of Mormon as well then offer to teach them about it. Not always are they interested, and a lot of the time they say "give me some time to read it first, But I'll take it". It's fun work.

We also talked to a guy on Federal Hill who was to be following around "Always Dreaming's" owner the next day at Preakness, so that was cool. If that didn't make any sense then I'm sorry.

Dream job stuff right there.

On Saturday we got to meet with both Hank and Henok. Hank's lesson was super great. He had read the commandments and was ready to quit coffee and we talked about him getting baptized June 10th. Then we read 3 chapters of the Book of Mormon with him. He told us he needs to be more consistent with reading it. Ba-boom! Then we met with Henok, we read the Plan of Salvation pamphlet with him along with 2 Nephi 2. He then told us how he wants to get baptized, even though all his relatives and friends say we're not Christians. So June 10th for him as well! He also told us he's going to read 1 to 2 chapters a day. Could you ask for anything more out of those two? No not really.

We also checked out the Preakness, had quite the view from the bus parking lot as you can see

Sunday was great. Edward is the man and was there for the sacrament. he getting better and better at being on time. and this week we're going to DC with him! Its been a good week.

Elder Simmons

kinda charming

5/15/17

This week has been pretty crazy, it went by very fast. On Tuesday I said "see ya" to Elder Dameus, who I was with for 12 great weeks. And I got elder Stafford again.

(he left at like 6:45 that morning)

It rained most of the week and Elder Stafford's umbrella was a sad embarrassment

But the rain didn't mess with us too much thankfully. My last transfer Elder Dameus and I got maybe 3 referrals in 6 weeks. In this first week together we have received 8! So we've been pretty busy. Some people are interested, some just wanted a Bible, others wont even respond to us. But I'm very grateful for all the work we have to do. We have contacted 5/8 so far.

We also picked up two potentials ourselves. Mark is one, he was singing Bruno Mars' "Nothing on you" as we were walking down the street. Then he changed the phrase beautiful girls to Latter-days saints which got our attention. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he has actually been texting us back. Pretty crazy.

The other good story was when we were giving a referral her Bible and the care giver was the one to open the door and give it to her. And it turned out the Nurse was a lot more interested with the Book of Mormon then the other lady. So we are going to meet with her this Saturday hopefully.

Sunday was the best day, Hank, Henok, and Edward all came to church. It was a crazy Sunday for me trying to balance my time with all three but it worked out great. Hank had a great experience. Henok had a big question answered with all those who died during the great apostasy, thanks to the Spirit World. Edward after church, got the Aaronic Priesthood. It was a very good moment for him. And Sunday night I was able to Skype my family, which was fantastic. Life is pretty great. I'm enjoying have good work to do for my last few months on the mission.

Edward the priest and I

Home made Taiko drum at a art show opening.

Ted the hot dog stand man gave us free hot dogs, all because I stopped and looked at the prices. Good guy.

Elder Simmons

5/8/17

Time has already has flown by in Baltimore. I've already been here for 12 weeks. and now I only have 12 weeks left on my mission. Still a while to go but it's going to fly by I'm sure. Life is pretty exciting.

On Tuesday our good friend Hank went to the hospital to get his cancerous Pancreas out. We were able to visit him on Thursday and Saturday. He is a trooper and he told us he is serious about being baptized. He told us the doctrine has expanded his mind a lot. And he likes the feelings he gets. He also loves the family aspect to it and wants to reunite his family through the Gospel. Hank is awesome.

He went in on Tuesday, and he came home on Sunday. Pretty remarkable. The priesthood blessing we gave him before hand played a very good role I'm sure.

I went on exchanges with Elder Jensen. We had a good time together. A car dealer wanted to get a picture with us because at his work we're famous. Famous because we're the only white guys in Park Heights. Turns out he doesn't like sharing room in pictures.

He didn't want the Book of Mormon, he recognized that if he took the book he'd be held responsible for learning about it. Which is probably a good thing to recognize but at the same time just take the book man. He did take a pamphlet after.

After talking to that guy we turned the corner where an Escalade was getting the inside detailed. So Elder Jensen walked around back of it and not realizing the trunk was open, whacked his head super hard on it. The thud/whack is unforgettable. The only one laughing harder then me was Alonzo the one cleaning the car.

Friday it rained a lot, so instead of being in the rain we went to the mission office and I worked on a new project. We took the bus home and Elder Dameus was able to talk to a guy about the Book of Mormon. It was super sweet.

Saturday the ward temple trip happened. At 3pm the bus was loaded up, Edward and our investigator Henok came as well!

Here's the inside of the bus with the good folks.

I wish I were able to say I had a great time at the visitor's center with them. But we didn't go, because of the policy. So I decided to be obedient and so we tried to be productive in the rain. It didn't work. In hindsight I should've gone. But its all good, we survived. Edward and Henok both had a great time. Henok will be baptized this month I think.

Sunday was a regional stake conference so we watched a broadcast and got to hear from Elder Gong, Sister Cordon, Elder Perkins, and Elder Oaks. It was pretty good. After church we walked around the town, I was super tired. I even went on the wrong train. but we did give a Book of Mormon to a guy named Bobby. Then dinner with the Hydes and transfer calls came.

Elder Dameus, Elder Jensen and Elder Ressler are all leaving. And I'll be getting my old companion Elder Stafford again. We were together for 2 weeks before he went home to get surgery. So I'm super excited for that!

Having a great time in Baltimore

Elder Simmons

5/1/17

On Monday we had a lesson with Karon and Anthony. It was super good. We read in 1 Nephi when he has the vision of the tree of life and it gets compared to Christ and the world and his seed. We then tied it in with the restoration and it was a crazy good lesson.

Tuesday we had a lesson planned with Hank with the Hydes but he had to reschedule. But they took us out to eat anyways. We went to a Asian place and I had sushi, it was fantastic.

That night we had a lesson with a woman named Brittany, had some interesting concerns but she is cool enough to be very open with her opinions. Hopefully we'll get to teach her again.

On Wednesday we got to go see Hank with the Hydes and it was a very good lesson on the Plan of Salvation. He finds that what we teach him expands his knowledge, so good things to come with him. Wednesday night we had correlation or Frosty Night, depending on how you look at it.

On Thursday we helped at the mission office again. The logo is done and it looks great. Working on some other projects now so I'm pretty happy. Had lunch with a senior couple and other missionaries.

Friday we went to Edward's to help with family history, we contacted a referral, and we had an adventure with Hank and Bro Allred. Hank was way up in Baltimore County so we went and picked him up.

The next morning the 4 of us met up again and we went to a baptism of 4 others that are in the ward. It was super awesome to see that many people come and join.

Sunday those awesome people got Confirmed and I taught second hour. Edward was at church, we had a Linger Longer afterwards which was fun. Did better that night talking to people. A dryer in the apartment building across the street lit on fire so that was a entertaining to watch till 12:30am.

This week the goal is to have a lesson with at least 4 people with hopes of 6 lessons. Aiming to do better at talking to people and doing effective things in down time. Trying to finally get a hang of this missionary thing with 3 months left.

Elder Simmons