Mice, fried food, and the spirit

So first off, I'll just let you know that the problem behind awful smell in our apartment was fixed this week. Well, Sister Ison was studying one morning and she looked at me and said, "you know, maybe that smell is the cheese that is rotting on the mouse traps."  I'm sure you know where this story is going from here....  Basically, there was a dead mouse, blood, guts and all sitting on the trap a foot away from our desks. We found ANOTHER dead mouse on the trap!  Moral of the story is, our house is mice infested but we got it covered and bought some smell good stuff so life is good.

We went to four true southern restaurant this week.  Sister Ison was having a bad eating day and decided she would be smart order a veggie plate which consisted of broccoli and chesse, okra, and cucumbers.  Joke was on her when they all came out FRIED!  The look she had on her face was priceless.  I've come to accept the fact that you can't get fresh veggies out here without it being either fried or cooked in bacon grease.

We had two awesome lessons with a referral we got about two weeks ago named Patrica.  She is scared to commit to anything and has put God on the back burner her entire life, however she has the biggest heart.  We went in and the spirit instantly took over entirely.  Patrica basically poured out her heart and soul about her current situation and our member partners could relate to her so well and she taught the entire lesson by simply listening and baring sincere testimony!  It was such a powerful lesson, and probably one of the best lessons with a team of partners I've had my entire mission. It reminded me of how big of an influence the members can have with investigators and can often times relate to them much better than we can!  I hope you remember that as you too as you too have an opportunity to be a member missionary! 

I'm really gaining a better understanding on the importance of keeping our covenants.  The blessings of making covenants are countless.  It truly does bring us strength, happiness, empowers and protects us, and it's how we are able to demonstrate our love for the savior and his atoning sacrifice.  Everything we give our savior, such as tithing, time we sacrifice (callings, 18 month missions, etc.) is things that he has already given us that we are giving back.  The only thing that we can give him that he doesn't already have is our heart and our will. As I've better understood that concept, my desire to be even more obedient and diligent has grown!  I'm so grateful for this 18 months that I can turn my whole heart over to my savior. 

I love this gospel. Oh, and.. I really love you

Beautiful Tennessee

Front porch -- not so beautiful