Week 17!!!

Hi everyone!! How are you guys? How is your summer going?! This week was pretty cool!

Last Monday, my companion and I played kickball in the rain with the kids in our ward!! It was so fun and messy! We had a great time, and afterwards we were so sore!! All of the kids were so muddy and wet hahaha! We felt like old men cause we were groaning for days after hahaha!!

Throughout the week, we had some amazing lessons with Lidianali, Marieli, Iris, David and Maria, and even some new people!!

My companion and I have taught some very powerful lessons this week. More than once this week, we saw this “click” that happens when people are touched by the spirit.
The first one we saw was with Marieli! Marieli is Lidianalis older sister, and is 14 years old.
We taught about Jesus Christs church and listed his teachings, and then explained how over time after his death, his teachings were lost and changed. At this point, Marieli said, “yeah I wish I could just find that first church that Jesus Christ made” and we were so happy she said that. We explained that through modern prophets, Jesus Christ has restored his church, and his authority back on the earth again. It is not reformed, it is not created, it is Restored exactly how he taught it. Marieli almost yelled, saying “wait what!! This is the same church! You have all of his teachings in your church?” We testified that we did, and asked what she thought she should do! Again we were shocked when she said “I should be baptized!” So yeah that happened, and we are so excited to keep teaching her!!

On Friday Morning, Elder Warden and I went back to the clothing donation center and helped translate for the volunteers there! We also found some pretty swanky shirts, so we snagged them. After about 6 washes, we put them on and they are SWEET! Check the pictures!

On Saturday, we had a “Free Book of Mormon and Lemonade” stand!! We used it to talk to people and find new people to teach! Every single missionary in the Reading Area was there: Myself, Elder Warden, Elder Newman, Elder Sebra, Elder Watts, Elder Close, Sister Frost, and Sister Hollingshed! We had a lot of firepower, and gave out our contact information to a lot of people!

I received a package this week which included my hammock from home!! Elder Warden has one too, and we have been having our studies in them. It’s pretty sweet! Theres some pictures coming!

I hope you guys had a great fathers day yesterday!! I have the best dad in the world, and I have learned so much from him. Every goal and aspiration I have is following his example and I am so grateful for his influence that he has had on me! I was able to call him and the first thing he asked was “what do you need buddy?” He always looks to give back and help others. He has made this mission so much easier for me, helping with emails, photos, a broken phone, a website, not to mention financially helping me. He has helped me be able to focus on the mission work, and not worry about worldly things. He is a fantastic example, an amazing husband, and the best father I could have asked for. Thank you Dad!

I hope you guys have a fantastic week!! Thank you all so much for your support. You are included in my prayers daily, and I know that you will be blessed for your support. Have a great week and please email me!! I love you all!

-Elder Petty

P.S. go check out the website my dad and older sister made for me! It has all my pictures and emails, and even some stories from before my mission! ElderPetty.com