This week It's really hit me and I've really taken note of how beautiful Louisiana really is.
The people here are so goofy and unique and beautiful.
The land is like nothing else.
The City is also, like none other.
and the missionaries are the best of the best.
This week I got to drive through a beautiful Louisiana bayou on our way back from exchanges in a more 'country' part of our zone.
We had Mission Leadership Conference at he Hansens Home.
We had ZTM the Following Friday.
and on Sunday, Me and Elder Allen were invited to attend a crawfish Boil!!
I WISH I HAD TOOK MORE PICTURES!!! GAH! (I'll include whatever I have. Although Im probably not in them this week.)
I want to talk about the Crawfish boil for a second. Because it was the highlight.
One of our investigators, James, I have been meeting with since I came to NOLA for about 6 months. He understands the Book of Mormon and what the priesthood is and why it is necessary and even has a testimony of the BOM. He LOVES talking about it with us and has even taught me a few things from it.
He has been in and out of a rehab facility. which has really slowed his progression in the Gospel. This last time he stayed in for quite some time. But he finally was able to get out this week! Elder Allen saw him on exchanges and he invited us to a boil at his sisters house!
When we showed up there I saw James again for the first time in maybe 2 months and almost did a backflip! I gave that guy the biggest bear hug ever and I DONT think he was ready for it. He spent the evening introducing us to his HUGE family. All 40 of them. and talking and fellowshipping. It was amazing. A crawfish boil is more than a meal in Louisiana. It's a full on event. It's like Thanksgiving day. With Seafood. Just ALL DAY LONG. (we only stayed for about 2 hours though)
We taught about families to him, his sister, and his mom and Talked about religion and organized churches with many of his other brothers and cousins.
Many times as we talked about God I could see James Eyes getting misty. As they always have when we talk to him and the spirit is present. I loved it so much. IT FELT LIKE WE WERE THERE FAMILY. I can't describe the feelings. They just took us in and loved the heck out of us and we loved the heck out of them!
AT the end before we left we stood up and got everyones attention and had the awesome opportunity to thank everyone for their kindness and hospitality. I said, "usually when people invite us over to eat, we say thank you by sharing with them a message, and our own testimony." then with the whole group of them we talked about Christ's atonement, how we can be changed because of him, and read Alma 7:11-13. We were able to bear a powerful testimony.
It was probably one of the highlights of my mission. Being able to teach a group of people I had only met just a few moments earlier about Jesus Christ. All members of different churches.
We left and they turned back on the music and continued right along.
And I loved every minute. Louisiana is so special. I have never felt a love like this for a place before. This is what being involved in the work of the Lord can do to a person.
I testify that any member can experience these same feelings of love in whatever facet of service they offer to the church.
BEST EASTER SUNDAY EVER.
I love and miss you all. But never enough to come home.
-Elder Davis
Pics: A bayou
Me and one of my old Comanions Elder Johnson at MLC
a cool quote someone sent me
The people here are so goofy and unique and beautiful.
The land is like nothing else.
The City is also, like none other.
and the missionaries are the best of the best.
This week I got to drive through a beautiful Louisiana bayou on our way back from exchanges in a more 'country' part of our zone.
We had Mission Leadership Conference at he Hansens Home.
We had ZTM the Following Friday.
and on Sunday, Me and Elder Allen were invited to attend a crawfish Boil!!
I WISH I HAD TOOK MORE PICTURES!!! GAH! (I'll include whatever I have. Although Im probably not in them this week.)
I want to talk about the Crawfish boil for a second. Because it was the highlight.
One of our investigators, James, I have been meeting with since I came to NOLA for about 6 months. He understands the Book of Mormon and what the priesthood is and why it is necessary and even has a testimony of the BOM. He LOVES talking about it with us and has even taught me a few things from it.
He has been in and out of a rehab facility. which has really slowed his progression in the Gospel. This last time he stayed in for quite some time. But he finally was able to get out this week! Elder Allen saw him on exchanges and he invited us to a boil at his sisters house!
When we showed up there I saw James again for the first time in maybe 2 months and almost did a backflip! I gave that guy the biggest bear hug ever and I DONT think he was ready for it. He spent the evening introducing us to his HUGE family. All 40 of them. and talking and fellowshipping. It was amazing. A crawfish boil is more than a meal in Louisiana. It's a full on event. It's like Thanksgiving day. With Seafood. Just ALL DAY LONG. (we only stayed for about 2 hours though)
We taught about families to him, his sister, and his mom and Talked about religion and organized churches with many of his other brothers and cousins.
Many times as we talked about God I could see James Eyes getting misty. As they always have when we talk to him and the spirit is present. I loved it so much. IT FELT LIKE WE WERE THERE FAMILY. I can't describe the feelings. They just took us in and loved the heck out of us and we loved the heck out of them!
AT the end before we left we stood up and got everyones attention and had the awesome opportunity to thank everyone for their kindness and hospitality. I said, "usually when people invite us over to eat, we say thank you by sharing with them a message, and our own testimony." then with the whole group of them we talked about Christ's atonement, how we can be changed because of him, and read Alma 7:11-13. We were able to bear a powerful testimony.
It was probably one of the highlights of my mission. Being able to teach a group of people I had only met just a few moments earlier about Jesus Christ. All members of different churches.
We left and they turned back on the music and continued right along.
And I loved every minute. Louisiana is so special. I have never felt a love like this for a place before. This is what being involved in the work of the Lord can do to a person.
I testify that any member can experience these same feelings of love in whatever facet of service they offer to the church.
BEST EASTER SUNDAY EVER.
I love and miss you all. But never enough to come home.
-Elder Davis
Pics: A bayou
Me and one of my old Comanions Elder Johnson at MLC
a cool quote someone sent me