Ogden Mission Blog: March 26, 2014

Well, March came in like a lion and stayed that way. We have had a very few spring-like days but plenty of blustery, cold ones, too. The redeeming factor is that some flowers and blooming trees give us hope of full-blown spring soon.

Elder Ogden has been A LOT of extra driving the last couple of weeks as he assists some who have no wheels and live far out from town. Sometimes I have to ride along, but not
always. Then I have a chance to get some cleaning, mending, or cooking done in my small gift of time. We seem to fill our tank very often, about every three days. $$$ Oh well, it's for a good cause, and the Lord keeps blessing us to meet our obligations somehow.

We are having a wonderful time teaching two young adults the lessons. It makes us so happy to see people inquire and seek the Lord and His answers. We also are teaching Brother Barmes' wife, Carolyn. To our great joy, they are coming back to Church, and Carolyn has committed to baptism! April 26! This may be the pinnacle of our mission thus far. We have been visiting less-active members for many months now. We are beginning to see fruits from these visits, as with the Barmeses. One sister who seems to have been lost was so happy to have contact with members again. We are re-teaching her and her son the lessons.

We now have TWO ARP groups meeting! Can you believe it? After several months of not one person showing up to meetings, we now have two groups! Our love for others is certainly increasing as we have the opportunity to serve them.

Sister Ogden ordered the film, "Saratov Approach", recently. We were inspired as we watched it with the Elders. We are planning to show it to interested parties in the Branch. Get the popcorn going!

We enjoyed a concert at the Folk School last week. The artist is a folk singer, dancer, instrumentalist. We are posting some videos of her on Dropbox. Let us know if you want to view them. Also posted will be some music of our Elders.

We need some help! How do you enjoy/receive/refuse Southern food and hospitality? We have been SO WELL fed that the scales are not happy! I have only cooked dinner a couple of times in the past 10 days! People are so kind, giving, loving, and we love them so much...and their food and efforts to serve. We just can't buy bigger clothes!

Today we took our dear Elder Crestani to Knoxville for transfer. We love him very much and will sorely miss him. He has become one of our own. We have had him with us for seven months. His music and gentle personality have been a boon to our whole Branch.

Now March like a lion and spread your testimony of truth and light! YOU are needed!

Love all ya'll!!

Elder and Sister Ogden