Carlton=Good Squad (July 22-28)

Monday, we got together with the Elders in Brainerd, and we had a fun day together. We went to a place called Rafferty's, a pizza place. It was really good but much to overpriced. Everyone up here said it was the best pizza they ever had, so we had to try it once. After the Pizza place we went over to the Johnson's and we burned Elder Coombs white shirt (he hit a year mark) and then we went and played with all there animals. They have four dogs, a ton of kittens, and about five horses. After a little of that, we went on a little "hike" and walked trails where an old mining town used to be. 

Tuesday, we went out to the Reservation and found some potentials.  We will be visiting next week to follow up with them. I am excited for the work over at the reservation, it could prove to be very successful. The only problem is that it is 30 minutes away from the Aitkin branch building, which always makes it that much harder to get people to church. We had dinner that night with some members who live in that general area, and we had a great lesson with them about grace and works. We helped them see how they have been helping us too, and hyped them up to keep doing good.

Wednesday, we had an amazing lesson with a lady named Tammy about the plan of salvation. She had some anti stuff, and so she had some questions for us, but we ended up just teaching the plan of salvation so that things would make sense in context. She said she knew that the anti was not true anyways, and that the plan of salvation makes perfect sense. (Of course any plan made by a perfect all knowing being would be perfect right?) We were there for a couple hours and we will be back next week. We had burgers from a member for dinner, and we had a really good lesson for their kids. We had a correlation meeting with our branch mission leader too, which went well, and boy does he have some work for us to do. We headed out of his place and went straight to Carlton so we could exchange the next day.

Thursday, we went on exchanges with the Carlton Elders. Since we had to come up for Interviews we decided to Blitz their area and stay the night. It was really good I was with Elder Stafford and we were able to see a couple of people and teach them. Turns out Elder Stafford's dad served in the Billings, Montana mission! Unfortunately he has no idea the areas that he served but still pretty cool.

On Friday, we had interviews and a Zone Council. All the training's given were really good, and we had a great time together. Please pray about Aitkin that we can find success in the area, I truly love this branch and want them to see success through their own efforts. There are a lot of great people they just need a little punch, but I know once it becomes natural for then to spread the gospel it can be a great area. All it takes is an invite. That night we had a dinner with this great family that fed us, let us teach and then followed up with a referral and a commitment for us to keep them accountable. Now that's a perfect member missionary. And honestly feeding us is just an extra thing. All I really want is people to want to spread the gospel and allow us to follow up. Trying to drag people into missionary work doesn't really work out.

Saturday, we were able to talk to Grandma Piecek and she had ice cream with us. She is truly a world class grandma. Then we were able to talk with a couple of the members and they told a little more about some of the inactives that live here, and who we can help. I have seen nothing but love from the people here in the branch.

Sunday, we taught an old nonmember couple, and we started to talk about their church and what they believe. They ended up admitting that they think how all these changes of doctrine in their church are man made changes not God's changes. Unfortunately, right before we could really dig deep into their questions their grand kid showed up, so we will have to try again next week. So close! Sunday the Elders from Carlton came over to spend the night, so we can spend Preparation day together.