It's Snowing in Prairie of Dogs

Its officially looking like winter here in the Prairie of Dogs. We woke up to snow and its actually stuck around today. Its only the third snowfall. But it was good because it actually made it warmer. Its been freezing. We'll see how I feel about it when it gets down to -20 like everyone is warning me about. 

This week was so great! 

Remember our new investigator Robert that I mentioned last week? We met with him last Monday night and it was SO GOOD. Golden, even. We taught him the Restoration and about the Book of Mormon and he was soooo in tune to everything we taught him. The Spirit was so strong and he was like "Yeah, I believe everything you are saying". He is such a nice and humble man. We are so excited to work with him!

I also cut Sister Asper's hair. Eeek! hahaha. She wanted a trim but didnt want to pay for one and I was like, "Hey. I could probably do it." So I did. And the next day she was like, "Hey. Cut me some bangs and some layers!" AHHH. But I did and it looks great. So. Theres that. 

We also went to Cabelas here in Prairie du Chien. Holy moly. If this is the Holy Land of hunting, I don't know what is! Deer season just opened and I have seen more people in orange all over the woods than I care to even count. Prairie people LOVE to hunt. And fish. Even in the snow and ice. They love it. It's like what everyone and their baby and their great grandma does for fun. Its crazy. 

Speaking of deer, there is this one little 3 point buck that we see all the time. He's so cute! 

Tuesday was zone conference and I just about died with love towards everything and everyone. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. We talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon in conversion and how we can use it more effectively in all aspects of our work: teaching, finding, ect. We learned how to use the illustrations in the front of it in our teaching, which was great because Sister Proffit and I had started to do that on our own months ago in Appleton. #wayaheadofthegame.

The Madison Stake President spoke to us about what the members in the stake wanted us to know about working with them. He said that members WANT to help us but they aren't good at it, are scared, or busy. Basically he told us to keep trying and be patient. We got a BOMB cd called "Missionary Next Door". OH MY GOODNESS. I'm sending it home because it is the best thing I have ever heard. It pumped me up to do missionary work...and I AM a missionary. hahaha. Working more effectively with the members is a big push right now. We as full time missionaries need the help. Especially right now when no one wants to stand at their front door in 11 degrees and talk about Jesus. We need your friends to teach. You dont have to ask them. WE can ask them if they are interested in learning more. If they hate us, thats okay! We're getting transferred! But your relationships with your friends do not have to suffer. Bring them to things. Ask us to come over when they are over. WE do the inviting to learn more. WE have been trained on how to talk to people about the gospel. WE are the ones in charge of spiritual conversion! All you have to do is be fun and friendly and invite them to do fun things! 

Anyway. I'll get off my soapbox... haha. It was just SOOOOO good. If we could get people that way, I wouldnt have to tract as much and that would be a happy day. hahaha :P 

We've been teaching a part-member/less active couple named Derald and Anita. They are hilarious. I just love them so much. Derald makes us the BEST food and Anita is just so sweet. Anita is so ready for baptism, they just have to take the leap of faith and get married first. But it will come. I have loved reading the Book of Mormon with them. Ahhhhh. So much love. My eyes are literally full of tears because I love them so much right now. hahaha. #crybaby

Oh hey! We got two more investigators this week! #miracles. Jonathan literally found us a couple weeks ago when we were walking to church. He didnt come with us, but we stopped back by the other day and got a return appointment and taught him the Restoration and then he came to Sacrament meeting! (Which was the Primary Program and it was the CUTEST one I have ever seen. I love the Prairie du Chien branch children. So precious!) And Tyron is awesome. We havent been able to have a sit down lesson with him because his work schedule is crazy and he doesnt have a phone. BUT. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and invited him to read it and he TOOK NOTES on his reading. He's kinda a challenge cause he's never home, but if he's reading the Book of Mormon, thats a huge sign. People who read the Book of Mormon feel its powwer and are more converted. True story. 

We went on a run down to the Mississippi the other morning. It was cold, but fun! I love living right next to the Mississippi River. I think its legit. 

You know you live in a small town when everywhere you go, you know someone and they know you and everyone knows each other and talks about everyone elses business. hahaha. Or when two people are having a fight and not talking so they call the Sisters to be the middlemen. Yeah, that happened too. hahaha. Its great. If Prairie du Chien had a tv show it would be a mix of Duck Dynasty, That 70's Show, and Glimore Girls. Just think about that. (:

I got to cuddle the cuddliest cat! 

Pretty much, the work is picking up here. Sister Asper says that since I got here, she has seen more progress and miracles than ever before. So hopefully that means I'm doing SOMETHING right. haha. We have been working hard. Harder than I have ever worked. The other day we were struggling to place a Book of Mormon to fulfill a commitment we made to our Sister Training Leaders to place a Book of Mormon a day. We tracted in two different towns, visited formers and potentials, visited people we knew, asked members for referrals...literally EVERYTHING we could possible think of and we just couldnt place a Book of Mormon. Even though we didnt, it felt really good to work so hard and give it our absolute best even though we skipped dinner and it was freezing and we were having a kinda rough day. It was great. 

I love the Book of Mormon. It is truly the means of becoming converted. Through it we can get answers to any question or problem. I have to admit that before my mission, I took it for granted. I never REALLY cared enough to really read it and ponder it and ask if it was really all that it claimed to be. I WAS DUMB!!!!! Read it TODAY and ask God TODAY to help you know of its divinity. Read it. I dont care if you start over or start where you left off or what. Read it today. It will bless your life in ways that I can't even explain. It will give you the "peace of God" (Alma 7:27), "eternal bliss" (Alma 37:44), hope and a better life (Ether 12:4), ect. 

Oh. Doris, our other investigator gave me an otter stuffed animal and I laughed so hard and I love it. 

Until next time, friends! Stay radical. Hurrah for Israel. Choose the Right. Is there sunshine in your soul today? God be with you till we meet again. 

Oh! And have a great thanksgiving! Remember to be thankful for all God has given us. He truly loves us. I'll be partying with Brother Wentz, an 84 year old man who loves practical jokes, and his family. #ilovewisconsin. #hopefullytherearefriedcheesecurds #ilovefriedcheesecurds