a weekly letter!

So it was one of our less active member's birthday, and to celebrate, we took her some nice flowers. Later, we told the Elders that we did that and Elder F said, "Well, it's my birthday tomorrow. Aren't you gonna get me flowers?" 

"Probably not," we said. 

"He seems like a white roses kind of guy," said Elder G. 

"No, no. I prefer wild flowers." said Elder F. 

The next day, it was another less active member's birthday, so we went to go get her cupcakes. We walk into Wal Mart, when we pass the flowers. 

Sister H and I look at each other. 

The next thing we know we're purchasing cupcakes and white daisies. 

Sister H then went all out and picked some wild flowers in the middle of a grassy patch on the side of the road. 

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I yelled to her as I stood in the shade. 

"PICKING SOME WILD FLOWERS TO GO WITH THE DAISIES!" 

We then went to the church, filled up the water pitcher, and arranged a nice bouquet of white daisies and wild flowers, left a picture of Jesus, and texted them saying their birthday present was in the kitchen. 

About an hour and a half later, they call us. 

"We're looking everywhere for it!" they said, "The cupboards, the fridge, the sink....seriously, where is it?"

"What are you talking about?" we said, "It's right on the counter!" 

"Stale taco shells?"
"NO! Daisies! White daisies!" we said.

"....there's only stale taco shells and a pitcher full of water....oh I see a couple flower petals in the water." 

...........

"SOMEBODY TOOK YOUR WHITE DAISIES?!" 

"I guess so....but hey....there's a picture of Jesus!" 

"WHO JUST TAKES SOMEBODY’S WHITE DAISIES?!" 

"I don't know!" 

After being furious about it for a good few minutes, we ended up just picking a random array of wild flowers and berries and giving it to him at church. 

But the mystery of the stolen white daisies remains....

Seriously guys, who does that?

Anyway! It's been such a great week! Our investigator has now been sober for a week! 

Seriously. This is a big deal. He's doing so well!

The week before he stopped drinking, the three of us sat on his front lawn and talked about it with him. He talked about how much of a toll it is in his life, and how his body and mind can't handle the alcohol anymore. 

He set his own date to quit drinking. We talked with him about how he needs to replace the bad with the good in his life. He can't just take it out, but he needs to surround himself with good, especially since the temptation is going to be there. 

He's still working on Sundays, and we're praying that he'll be able to find a way to get them off, because right now it seems nearly impossible. However, he's been reading the Book of Mormon daily, he's been coming to the Book of Mormon class that all the missionaries in our unit have every week, and he's been coming to the addiction recovery program the church has. 

He is progressing so well, and he is really making progress. Tonight we are having Family Home Evening with him at another member's home! I am so excited!

Met with another couple of interesting ones this week. Gotta love them. The elders ran into a man who used to meet with missionaries in Pennsylvania before he moved to Elmira. He had been praying to "meet the Mormons" when the elders turn around the corner and approached him! 

He lives in our area, so they referred him to us. 

We show up to his house, and knock on the door. An older gentleman answers the door and gives a big, ol' grin. He talked about how excited he is to meet us! He also told us about how he used to be a missionary where he lived before. 

"Oh really? That's cool! For what church?" we asked him.

"You guys! The Latter-day Saints!" 

"....ooooh...."

We'll see how our lesson with him on Wednesday goes. 

Our investigator couple are stuck in a pattern. So, here's how it's been for the past several weeks: 

AN AMAZING LESSON WITH THEM! THE SPIRIT IS SO STRONG! THEY WANT TO BE BAPTIZED. 

They cancel next appointment day of. 

We randomly show up later in the week. 

HEY IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU! WE'RE BUSY! So come back later. 

We come back later. We're able to have a lesson with them!

AN AMAZING LESSON WITH THEM! THE SPIRIT IS SO STRONG! THEY WANT TO BE BAPTIZED. 

They cancel next appointment day of. 

We randomly show up later in the week. 

HEY IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU! WE'RE BUSY! So, come back later. 

And on.....and on.....

Basically we're trying to figure out how to make this pattern end. 

We will find a WAY!  

This transfer has absolutely flown by. We get transfer calls this Saturday. I am really curious what will happen! 

And I really can't believe I only have two transfer calls left :/ 

What's happening to the time?? Wasn't it just May of 2013?

Anyway. I feel like this letter is totally lame. Sorryyyyy. 

Love you all so much!

Hurrah for Israel!

Sista Stimpson