Elder Colin White 1/4/2016

Besides this letter---Colin wrote on a map of the “Great Dismal Swamp” about the surrounding area in which he is serving and mentioned a miracle for which we are grateful: He and his companion assisted a member and his less-active brother in pulling vines and weeds off a good-sized barn that had been overtaken by the growth. The brothers used their tractor to pull---Colin and Companion used hand tools.  Visiting with the brothers again the following week, they discovered the brothers had a hospital visit to treat severe reactions to poison ivy, while the Elders had not suffered even an itch! The Elders were in more contact with the poison ivy than the tractor-seated brothers, so they truly felt protected by the Lord!

Hooray---Laura

 

Now Colin:

 

My favorite quote this week was when we were teaching this guy and his grandchildren how to pray. We asked, "So what are you thankful for?" Then the 9 year-old granddaughter responded, "I is thankful for these two KNUCKLEheads!" (pointing at her 2&5 year-old little brothers). Her 5 year-old little brother in the funniest, little southern kindergartner voice retorted, "You can't say that! That ain't gonna sound right. You can't say 'dear Heavenly Father I is thankful for these two KNUCKLEheads! in the name of Jesus Christ amen.' You can’t pray that--that don't sound no good!"  

 

This week has been great. We have taught lots of people and even got 4 new investigators! We have been absolutely soaked by the pouring rain (only my shoes and pants--thanks to my awesome raincoat)! In the past few weeks we were out with no jackets or sweaters on because it was in the mid-70's, and then today--out in the snow! (It didn't stick, but still it snowed).

 

Our Area is so massive! Seriously though, it is! The ward boundaries go on forever. This week we drove out to Sunbury, North Carolina and it took us an hour of driving down twisty country roads to get there from our apartment. One of our new investigators is from Sunbury, so we are about to drive a ton this month!

 

On Saturday we drove 45 minutes north to the very top of the ward boundaries to visit a less active member--and they have the best house ever! It was built in 1829, and the newest part of the house was built in 1919. They have completely renovated the whole house, and inside they have all the artifacts to match the house--from spinning wheels to original paintings and ancient books--they have it all! The oldest book in their library was printed and bound in 1620! It has been on loan at museums until this month. Their oldest piece is a page out of the book of Ruth in the Old Testament from a Geneva Bible! It was printed in the 1500's!!! During the Civil War the house was used by both Union and Confederate officers and has lots of historical significance. As you can tell, I loved being in their home. It was like a museum, but you were allowed to touch everything! 

 

While on exchanges with the Elders in Smithfield (the city of Smithfield is famous for their ham),

I got to drive--so that was fun, to learn how to drive again, and I'm glad to say I did not crash the car. And I met a guy there with a scorpion tattooed onto his face! Right below his eye! He was very nice and went to church on Sunday with them.

 

This Sunday, now that Brother Fridley is home from being deployed over in the Middle East on the aircraft carrier Roosevelt, he got the opportunity to Baptize his daughter who just turned 8. This is so special because he got baptized exactly one year ago, to the date, that he got to baptize his daughter and now they are all preparing to go to the Temple to be sealed as a Family! 

 

The Franklin Ward is really great. The ward members are so kind and supportive of us. I am so glad that I am here and wouldn't wish to be anywhere else right now! 

 

Thank you all for the letters. I love to read them. Write all y'all next week!

Have a blessed day!

--

-Elder White