Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone! Here in Fleming Island Florida, the 1 1/2 foot tall Christmas tree is up along with strictly Christmas music being played in the apartment. It's fantastic.

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Yes, it was hard at times when I caught myself thinking about my family and the wonderful traditions we have for the holidays. The hardest part was when they had everyone in the house name off everything that they were thankful for. It was hard not to hide the tears I'll be honest. If it makes me look tougher I will add that my companion was the same way.  

First the day started with the annual Turkey Bowl in the morning. We had a good turnout with about thirty people there. It was about 40 degrees outside and everyone was bundled up except for my comp and I haha. We were dumb enough to go in just T-shirts and shorts. It was my one chance to push some people around, especially my comp. All in good fun though! The next day, I might add, my legs were so sore that I could barely walk. I'm just now getting over the pain.

We had multiple dinners, first starting with the Mullins family. Their son is the one we've been working with and is getting baptized soon. We enjoyed deep fried turkey, which oh my goodness is heavenly by the way, along with ham soaked in honey and apple sauce. We also had deviled eggs, stuffing, sweet potato muffins and every pie you can imagine! Then we stopped by the Bishop's house where he had loads of food and people there. It was great!

We had some great miracles happen this week. As we were biking on the side of the road, I ran over a construction staple which immediately popped my back tire. This was at the beginning of the day so we were pretty bummed out now that our whole day was shot because we still had an hour bike ride ahead of us to get to our destination. The spirit told me multiple times, after the trial of your faith, good things will come after the trial of your faith. So I tried my best to stay positive. After a nice walk a man in a white pick up truck pulls up to us and asks if we need a ride. He was an avid road biker who recently got a flat himself and had to walk 7 miles back to his home. So we got in his truck and were headed to Walmart to buy a new tube. As we got talking to Sam he tells us that he has many friends across the US that are Mormon. He has a Book of Mormon, and has read a little bit of it. He and his family "were" Baptist and were looking for a good church to go to! We found out that he lives 4 houses down from another investigator of ours and he told us to come back and visit anytime we want. How amazing is that! The Lord had a different plan in mind for us that day.

Another miracle happened on Sunday. Let me back up to Saturday evening as I had just about retired to bed. When I had kneeled down to pray that night I remember saying please help Brannon and Marcus get to church tomorrow, along with someone unexpectedly. I didn't really think much of what I said and later I had completely forgotten about it. Sunday comes around and both Brannon and Marcus show up for church along with an unexpected young man. He came up and shook my hand and said,  "Hello, my name is Lee, I am a non-member, I have driven from Middleburg (which is about 45 minutes from us) and I am here to learn more about your church." I was told by a friend to come here." He sat down next to us in our meetings and then he told us that he loved it and wanted to learn even more! Sadly we have to turn him over to other missionaries because he isn't in our boundaries, but I'm convinced he will get baptized soon. This is a total miracle.

Well, last week was great and I'm sure the Lord has more in store for us this week. I'll be sure to let you fill you in more later. Until next time!

Yours truly, 

Elder Greenlaw