I am Becoming a Redneck
Good Monday it is. Good week it has been. The transfer is coming to an end and oh boy what an adventure it has been.
On each preparation day, we have been able to go fishing at our members farm. He has two main ponds to fish from and we have seen great success each time, almost each time, that we have gone. Which has been every Monday.
This morning we went pretty early to go fishing. Earlier than I want to admit, but we saw some success. I was able to catch five fish, different five from the first time, with the help of Elder Jenkins and Sister Padgett. Elder Jenkins ran the show and showed us the way. We were catching these little tiny frogs and using them as bait. From using this method we were trying to catch a smaller fish in order to catch Big Bass (Stay tuned).
Sister Padgett was wrangling all the little frogs for us to put on the hook. We caught some small fish from this but they weren't small enough. Eventually, we caught a Bluegill. Which, according to Elder Jenkins, Bluegill are "Bass candy"
So with patience, many dead frogs, and some more patience, we caught the biggest Bass that we have ever pulled outta that pond. (Thanks Elder Jenkins and Sister Padgett for the team effort)
With the end of this transfer, Elder Jenkins is getting transferred away to, I would say bigger and better things, but nothing can be bigger and better than Biggity Bastrop. So you know what that means, most likely, we probably won't go fishing as much... We had our fun. Many memories to remember at those ponds.
Special thanks to Brother Farmers for letting us use his property and go fishing, oh so frequently.
The youth in the entire Kyle stake had an activity this past weekend. A Rodeo. Not a full out Rodeo Rodeo but it had some pretty fun activities.
Elder Jenkins and I were lucky enough to be able to attend. He is in the Cedar Creek ward here in Bastrop and I am in the Bastrop ward. So we thought, well to support both wards, let's divide and conquer. Now before you start questioning, "Oh why didn't the other Elders get to go?", I have an answer. The location for the event was about an hour away and we needed some missionaries to stay in order to have lessons and dinner with members in Bastrop.
They didn't mind, so again, lucky for Elder Jenkins and I, we had a blast at this youth Rodeo.
One of the activities/events was The Hog Hoedown! You were in a team of two and had to grab this little wild hog, bag it, and touch the barrel. The Lockhart sisters, whom were in attendance, talked about having us as the missionaries tackle those hogs. So once the official event was over, the Branch President of Lockhart asked if anyone would want to see the missionaries wrestle some pigs.
Oh boy, did we ever! Long story short, it was pretty much Elders VS Sisters. Who could catch it faster? The true test. Elder Jenkins and I went first and we had that hog in our arms within 2 seconds! We thought we had it in the bag, but unfortunately, it didn't go all the way in. We spent the next 13 seconds getting that stupid pig in the bag.
Now we thought that was pretty fast. We got prideful and claimed there would be no way that the Sisters could beat that time... They got it in 7 seconds. Absolutely ridiculous!! They just got lucky.
It was a good time.
Yesterday was Fast and Testimony meeting for our congregation here in Bastrop. Last week we had a friend and his family come to church. He told us that he wanted to speak next Sunday! Lucky for him! We told him that he would be able to speak next Sunday and share a testimony of the Savior and how he has changed him.
As we were sitting in the back of the chapel he was explaining that he was pretty nervous and didn't know if he should go up. I told him that I would go with him and we could share our testimonies. He agreed and so when it got quiet next we got up and walked on up to the front.
I gave a short testimony on Jesus Christ and then turned it on over to our friend. He did wonderfully! He was honest and open but knew he had been changing and wanted to share with the members. We had quite a few people come up afterward and thank him and greet him!
He was so excited and anxious. We helped him understand that it was the Spirit inviting him to share his thoughts. I do not doubt that he will be a force for good now, and then be an even greater force when he is baptized.
This past week we had the wonderful opportunity to have a mission tour. You may be wondering, now what does that entail? This is when the General Authority over our mission comes to check in and see how things are going.
We got lucky to have two General Authorities come last week! Elder Alonso and Elder Cavacanche. Elder Alonso told a small group of us what the mission tour is actually for. He said "This mission tour is for them. Points to President and Sister Carter This isn't for you. This is for them. This meeting is just the cherry on top."
He then goes on to explain how he is here to support President and Sister Carter and if they are ok then he knows that we will be left in good hands. Nonetheless, I felt God's love and testimony through some of His servants.
I was supposed to get this email out last week but here we are. Another week has passed.
This past weekend we had the wonderful opportunity to hear from God's messengers on the Earth today, His Prophets and Apostles. I wish I could share all of the inspiration and revelation that I was able to receive from these inspired men and women. Yet, what I can share is that we have miracles round about us every day. And if I am to endure to the end, then these coming years will be some of the best. In summary, I want to share a few lines from one of my favorite songs which was sung this weekend:
"And angels are coming to visit the earth."
"The veil o’er the earth is beginning to burst."
"And Ephraim be crowned with his blessing in Zion,
As Jesus descends with his chariot of fire!"
(The Spirit of God)
Now is the time of miracles. Now is the time to prepare. Now is the time to make discipleship a priority.
God is real. His son, Jesus Christ, lived, died, and rose from the grave. All for us, His children, to return to Him if we remain faithful to the commandments that He has set in place for us to follow. In a coming day, He will come to rule over us as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and as your advocate with the Father.
The weather is starting to cool down a tad. Though it is still very hot. Maybe in the coming weeks, we will see some change.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WUYwsyauonMKVuc29
That's about it. See ya.
- Elder Kohl Payne
