Happy Thanksgiving!!

HELLO FAMILY!

 I hope everyone enjoys this week and gets fat on turkey and . . . . yes please have fun watching the football game and cheer loud for me. The other night we were going inside our apt. and I see this guy walking to his car with a Dallas Cowboy hat on. You better believe I talked to him about it. He is a BIG FAN, and will be cheering for me. Hahaha it was cool. 

What do you get when you have a room full of Puerto Ricans, Cubans and a Haitian? 

 A Christmas FHE lesson by THREE white English SISTERS!! The activity was watching us put together their Christmas tree. So much fun!! And so funny! This took place on Monday night. We are teaching a Haitian lady whose husband is a member. She is toughie but we sure do love her!

Also on Monday, I called the AP's for some reason, I can't remember now, but one of them let me talk to ELDER LASITANI on the phone. He is excited to be here, it was so WEIRD to talk to someone that I know so well. His trainer is so cool, and funny, so I know that they are having a lot of fun! 

  This has been one incredible week!! We have seen so many blessings and miracles here in Lake Mary! I have felt true Charity this week as we taught over 20 lessons. I can look into the eyes of our investigators and feel real love for them. We are teaching a guy named Jerry- the sisters before us couldn't ever get in to teach him. He is ready the Book of Mormon, he doesn't like organized religion but he is so nice to us and is giving all this a chance. The strangest thing is that he smokes and drinks a beer during the lesson- you can say that the Word of Wisdom will fit him nicely. Ha-ha we love this old man. We just need to get him and his "fiancé" to church. 

This week has proved us. Lindsey Slater was baptized yesterday. During the week she wanted her baptism to be on the 27th, so we moved it. We took her with us to a member's house for dinner. In the middle of the Lesson she looked at me and said "I don’t want to wait another week, can I get baptized this Sunday!?" Of course, the Lord made it happen. It was a wonderful service and she was beaming with the Light of Christ. 

 Another cool thing that happened this week. Sister Ploth and I were locking up our bikes by our leasing office. Out of nowhere we hear "excuse me, can I ask you something?" It was a big black guy. I walked up to the car. He continues to ask "I see you girls all over the place, walking and on your bikes. There were three of you before but now there are two. I saw you the other night but you were talking to someone and I wanted to ask what is it that you do?" Great questions. We told him who we are and who we represent, and asked if we could go over and tell him more. "Give me 30 min" he said. We went to his place 30 min later. We taught him right then and there. He told us of his concerns and his desires to be closer to Jesus Christ and to stop smoking, that he is lonely and depressed all the time. The spirit directed the lesson; we taught him the restoration to his needs. Gave him a Book of Mormon on which he wanted to give us money for. It was powerful! He is so opened and prepared and he was so excited to read. We go back there tonight with a member :-) 

our members are improving on their missionary work. We made it a goal that until we can get them to invite their friends we strive to talk ONLY about missionary work. And it is paying off. We had a member meal this week, the father invited his co-worker. The lesson started out to tell him that God does live and He is real. It was the coolest lesson, that once again the spirit was leading it and us to teach him to his needs. And the members are stellar!! So solid!

 We are also teaching a lady named Brenda; she can't put the Book of Mormon down. Every time she tries she is pulled back into it. She always thinks”this can't happen." then the more she reads "this had to happen." We invited her again to pray and ask Heavenly Father if it is true. She said to us "O I don’t need to pray anymore about it because I KNOW!" She is set to be baptized on December 11.

 

 We have people getting baptized every Sunday until Christmas!! The Lord is blessing this area! We could not do this work without His help on which I am so grateful for. 

I love Sister Ploth. We are having so much fun and laugh all the time. She is a hard worker and I am so grateful to be with her. I have so much to be grateful this year, as I reflect on what I have learned and so much that I have accomplished. I am a MISSIONARY for the Lord and I have making lifetime habits! 

I am grateful for ALL of you, and for your support. Mom and dad you are the best! I miss you all lots and lots especially as the Holidays are coming near. I am thankful to be here in Florida teaching the restored gospel!!! I know this church is true, this is the only way we can be happy not just in this life but in the eternities! 

 Sister Shannon Durr