Combrink Missions: September 2015

N's email 9/28/2015

area: Jennings Branch (Welsh, Louisiana)

zone: Orange

This week has definitely been an improvement! We talked to a lot of people this week, exactly 100. It's the first time I've done that since Broadway. I'm so grateful for Elder Hobbs and his work ethic and excitement to be a missionary! Many times when we see someone outside he says, "Let's go talk to that guy!" but then when we ride up, Elder Hobbs looks at me to start the conversation. He makes me laugh sometimes. Recently he's been very bold at the end of contacts when people reject us: challenging them to stop smoking; asking them why they're scared to pray; inviting them to church to see for themselves; etc. He's so great!

We met one man yesterday who wasn't interested even after our persistence, but when we asked him if there was any way we could serve him he said, "Yeah, give me something to help me quit smoking these cigarettes!" We leaped at that opportunity! We gave him a Word of Wisdom pamphlet and went through the bullet points under giving up harmful substances. That was such a cool miracle!

I love all of you. But I love Jesus Christ more. And this is where He wants me. So this is where I want to be.

N's email 9/21/2015

area: Jennings Branch (Welsh, Louisiana)

zone: Orange

companion: Elder Hobbs

Once upon a time, there were 2 Mormon missionaries. They served in Jennings. They loved being missionaries. They loved serving with Jesus Christ. They lived Happily Ever After.

I love happy stories!

Story Time:

We were biking through Jennings and saw a lady pulling weeds in her front yard. So we stopped and offered service but she wouldn't let us. So we started talking about the Church when she stopped us and said, "I'm Catholic," like 90% of people around here do. But then unlike anyone else I've met on my mission she said, "Our Father speaks very highly of you guys. He says more Christians should be like you. Not a lot of us are willing to do what you do." My jaw dropped. Elder Hobbs' did too. After regaining control of my lower face I asked, "Where do you go to church so we can thank your Father?" She told us, as well as the name of her Father. I'm so excited to get to meet him and thank him for being a good man. I love the people down here! The lady also invited us back to share a message.

Being a missionary is the best.

By the way, both Elder Hobbs and I broke our iPads... kinda... We tried updating them to iOS 9 but the church software didn't like to new Apple software so they crashed hardcore. The AP's had to take them so they could wipe them at the mission office. We'll get them back in two weeks. Oh well.

Please forgive me for my short letter.

I love all of you. But I love Jesus Christ more. And this is where He wants me. So this is where I want to be.