– Neal had his baptismal interview!!! When I got here, he had no interest in the church at all. He wouldn’t even let us talk to him about Christ. After a while of working in his garden, he opened up to us and we started teaching him and he read the Book of Mormon and comes to Church every week and is a completly different person! He is so light and happy! He is one of my favorite humans on this earth. SO genuine and sincere. We made him do a happy dance on his lawn while I free-styled a baptism rap. We all just fell down laughing.

– We saw a double rainbow

– I was asked out by an investigator named Zac (hes 23) I told him it was against the rules. He said rules were meant to be broken. I told him I was a nun and “Just no Zac. Just no.”

– I was also hugged by an investigator named Tanner who is 20, but his dad almost just died…..so….. I let it happen.

– We caught fireflies in a mason jar and they totally didn’t light up cuz they were sad, so we released them.

– Knocked doors in 102 degree weather

– Discovered a TRADER JOES

– On exchange, we walked up to 4 mid-20 year old men in the ghetto of New Hartford, on a porch smoking and drinking. We taught the restoration then Spencer asked why we couldn’t have sex before marriage, so I taught them the law of chastity. It was actually a very spiritual experience and by the end they all agreed that it was a good idea to wait for marriage and the spirit opened their eyes to a whole new way of viewing sexual intimacy and marriage. Really awesome lesson.

– We also taught 3 young shirtless Mexican boys how to pray and taught them the 10 commandments.

– We praised Jesus and had a Bible study with some awesome Baptists we ran into.

– We ate wild blackberries in the forest.

– We ran into a huge cone and knocked off our car mirror (good times) luckily it just kinda poped back on.

– I painted pictures of pigs for an old woman.

– On 3 different occasions, people asked for our picture and one asked for my autograph this week. I have no clue why… Apparently I’m a princess… Hey, good opportunity to tell people they are children of God and therefore all princes and princesses!!

– We spent 3 hours cleaning a single, tiny, very nasty kitchen. It was super fun!

– We also spent a few hours doing manual labor and moving heavy objects from a garage to an upstairs bedroom.. I may or may not have moved a safe, bed frame and table all by myself 😉 I’m bulking up with those nightly 3 minute planks.

– And last but not least, I sang in sacrement meeting with Sister Saunders and Bailey Bird. We sang a cappella  and harmonized. Never ever did I ever imagine I would sing in front of anyone. And never ever will I do it again. It was terrifying. But I did it thanks to God! Literal miricle. We sang “Come Unto Jesus” and I would like to share the lyrics with you:

• “Come unto Jesus, ye heavy laden,
  Careworn and fainting, by sin oppressed.
  He’ll safely guide you unto that haven
  Where all who trust him may rest.
  Come unto Jesus; He’ll ever heed you,
  Though in the darkness you’ve gone astray.
  His love will find you and gently lead you
  From darkest night into day.”

It is my testimony that Christ is the way, truth and light. I am eternally grateful for my Savior and the blessing he has given me to live with my family forever. This week I would like to challange you to never let the words “I can’t” enter your mind. YOU CAN. Stop limiting yourself! BELEIVE IN YOURSELF! Beleive that you can do hard things and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to! Through Christ, all things are possible. I love you! Thank you for your support ❤

 

 

Love, Sister Folkman