Week 47

May 13, 2019

Hey everyone! This week was CRAZY! 

On Monday it was a usual pday. Played soccer basketball and football. Pretty good day. After that we went to visit some less active members. 

On Tuesday we were up in Lawrenceville twice and in Kilburn twice so we were everywhere. Sadly though, all the appointments we had planned fell through except one. Which was awesome! Ruve is still progressing in the gospel! Super excited for her. 

Wednesday I got a call that changed EVERYTHING. A missionary in one area had to go home so I got Emergency Transferred back to..... ATHENS!!! Right where I started my mission almost one year ago! Now instead of the Stone Mountain branch I'm serving in the Occonee branch. My new companion is Elder Katterman but we work really close with the other companionship so they're basically my companions as well, Elder Leany and Elder Occone. On Wednesday I jumped right into the fire and oh man, this area is BLOWING UP! So much is happening! We had an English class that day and over 20 people came. Super super cool.

Thursday we got a call from someone, his name is Regelio, who had contact from missionaries a whole 2 YEARS ago and they gave him a card and said if he ever needed help with anything to call that number. So he did, and it was us! Now we're teaching him almost every day!  After that we had a lesson with someone who wanted to be taught English.  There are actually two families that live together and they all want to be taught the gospel with English!  While they were getting taught we found TWO MORE people who want to he taught the gospel and English. So. Stinking. Cool!!! 

Friday was a little bit uneventful (comparatively). We had a lesson in the morning with Regelio and had a good time with that. Just helped him get through some stuff, hear some of his background, and he is so prepared! I can't wait! Then we did some planning. Went to check out some English class referrals. Then later I went with Elder Leany to visit some families. One of them is SO awesome. The dad and two boys want to get baptized right now. But their mom won't let them. It's pretty sad. So please please please pray that her heart will be softened! Then we had soccer night! So much fun, all the families that came had a really good time, so thats pretty fun. We'll have that every Friday night.

Saturday we met Regelio at the church and gave him a quick little tour of the building. He loved it and said he'd come to church on Sunday. After that we did weekly planning. That took forever. But super worth it because it looks like the week will be awesome. Then we had some English class refferals. And we ended off the night at one lady's house who is on date. Her name is Teresa. We had a family night there and got to know some more of her family as well as share a spiritual message. It was pretty good! 

Sunday Regelio came to church!!! Such a stud. We also had one more guy come to church in the English ward. I forgot to add something, I cover both the oconee spanish branch and I cover the Athens 3rd English ward. Busy busy busy.  After all the church meetings we had a dinner with the family Herrera. They're pretty sick! They had their daughters boyfriend there who isn't a member. But he's getting baptized this Saturday. He shared his story with us and if that wasn't a motivator I don't know what is. After that we had a lesson with Teresa and Irma(Teresa's daughter) and we watched the restoration movie with them. They had some really good questions afterwards. They are super prepared as well. 

This area is for real running off of miracles. So much is happening that three companionships can't teach all the people so we have to get another set of missionaries here. I know that this is the Lords work. And I know that this church is true! So much around the world is happening and the story in Oconee is happening everywhere. 

Also to my Mom, I love you! Thanks for everything that you've done to teach me and raise me to who I am today! Everyone has gotta know this, DONT TAKE YOUR MOM FOR GRANTED! Love ya mom!

-Elder Tolman