First Month in Georgia

Hey yall,

First off I just want to wish y'all a Happy New Years!!! Its going to be a great one! A lot has happened here recently, it's been pretty difficult, but i know that I'm here for a reason and there are lessons to be learned. The first two weeks I got here were really rough. We taught maybe 5 lessons all week and had hardly any people to work with. My companion has been out for over a year and has been in this area for a few months, but he just hasn't been able to crack the nut on this area. Since I was new to the area, I sat back and allowed him to take the reigns and hoped he would show the area well. Sadly that hasn't happened. We have 3 investigators, 1st is Bonita who has been having surgery and all kinds of health problems so we can't meet with her. The 2nd is an 80 year old widow named Jill who has had three strokes and so she can hardly retain any info. Especially our names and the teachings in the Book of Mormon that she listens to on tape. 3rd is a brother named James who is fighting addictions and living with a girlfriend who doesn't want to get married yet. Missionaries have been working with these people for 6 months or so now and they just aren't progressing..... So basically i have come into this area starting from scratch. 

This last week I have pushed by the spirit to step up, take the reigns, and make some changes. Both with some of the habits I personally have and also with my companion and the work we do in this area.

This week has been good! Difficult, but good! We taught double the lessons we had the following two weeks and have figured out some of the things we can improve on. James missed his scheduled baptism last month so we rescheduled it for Feb 7th. Hopefully he can get married or leave the chick by then. That will be his biggest hold-up. Jill came to church and loved chatting with all the old ladies in the ward! She told us that she knows there's a reason why shes still around and that the 3 strokes haven't taken her life. She also thought it was because she might need to become a Mormon haha which we all know that's exactly why!!!! Next visit were going to invite her to be baptized again and try to set an actual date.

We've been knocking on a lot of doors. Before, Elder Andersen, did not believe it was a good idea. By doing so this week, we have talked to way more people, taught more lessons, found new people to teach, and it fills in the time where otherwise we would be thinking.... Ummm so where to next? Now we don't even ask that. We immediately start knocking after our plans fall through or we have extra time. it is great. 

It's been difficult because i have had to take charge by making the first move, and making all the decisions. Even though I hardly know anybody and know where things are. I still to this day have no idea what our ward boundaries are... I feel like I'm white washing..

Things are looking up though and I am just hoping i can leave this place a lot better When I leave then how it was when I got here. It's hard knowing that I only have two short months left and i probably wont see much of the results while I am here. 

Anyways, I know this gospel is true because it has changed me for the better and I have felt the enabling power of the Atonement of Christ. God lives, as does his Son even Jesus Christ. Their love is infinite and unconditional. Through them we may receive peace and happiness in this life, and in the life to come, if we so choose to live according to their commands. Of this I do testify, in Jesus's precious name, amen. 

Elder Greenlaw

Walking down the streets of Gorgia! 

The live band we listened to at a New Years party at the Zions Hill Methodist church. The base and mandolin players are members of our ward. It was a blast! 

Looking our best at church 

First time riding on a boat in 2 years, here at the famous Okefenokee Swamp!