Well we have had a solid week! I was pretty excited last night when we reported our numbers. I didn't realize how much good we really did! This last week was really cold. . . And it just keeps getting colder! I have only seen two sunny days here; it’s been very overcast and dark since I got here. But the sun is out today! So there is a lot to be grateful for! It hasn't snowed here yet, it’s looking like it will not be a white Christmas in Virginia!
I am starting to adjust to my new area here in Richlands. It is becoming home, I guess. It has been hard, but we have been staying really busy so time is flying by! This is a hard area--the people here are not as nice as they were in Radford. It’s hard to talk to people here; they are a little more stuck in there ways... But we are making progress! We’re trying our best to find, but we have some great investigators right now that have been such a great blessing to teach!
We were able to attend a Specialized Training this week with President and Sister Salisbury. It was a lot of fun; they taught us about how we need to not cling onto the “Rod of Iron” but we need to “Hold fast to it!” We also had a great Christmas program with all the other missionaries! It was a fun time. :)
I think I mentioned Dennis last week, He is a middle aged man. He is the Father to the younger couple Chad and Amber, Amber's dad. He used to be a preacher and very strong in the Baptist faith. Well we have been teaching him and he is making some rapid progress! I have never had an investigator like this where he will keep commitments and do his homework and practically teach himself. It’s been great! He has put a lot of trust in us; he expressed a lot of sins and things he committed in his days and he just wants to change. He wants to feel better and be forgiven of his mistakes. We have taught hm a lot about repentance and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has really enjoyed it and is learning a lot. It was a cool thing when we asked him if he would be baptized and HE picked out his baptism date. It has been amazing to see the Atonement work through him. It’s a blessing to be teaching him!
One
more thing to celebrate! Sam and Tuesday picked out a baptism date! They want
to get baptized on February 13th! They are really excited for that; they have a
few things they need to take care of and then they will be on their way! I
really enjoy going over to their home and teaching them!
We
held the branch Christmas social; It was fun, still a shocker by the lack of
attendance though! It was a small party, but it was a fun one! I have seen my
own family gatherings with more people than they had there, It was kind of sad.
But I gave a talk about the “He is the Gift” initiative the church is putting
on--that was fun! Then we ate some good food and everyone seemed to have a good
time!
This
week we also helped out with a city project called Shop with a Cop! It was so
fun! What they do is all the families that can’t afford Christmas and presents
are allowed to bring their kids to this thing where the cops and volunteers
take these kids by themselves and they get to go around the store and pick out
gifts they want for Christmas. The Kids were so excited! It was a special day
to see how happy it made these kids. It was great--something I will not forget
for a long time! I got to take a couple kids shopping. It was really fun and kind of sad. They were so happy. This one cute little girl said she has never
had a new toy before! I almost cried,
but it was fun to do and help them out.
Well
my companion and I are getting along great! We are really enjoying all
the Christmas gifts our Mothers have sent us! :) I have always liked the
Christmas season, but it is hard as a missionary! It is weird being away from
home for all the holiday season, but I try to remind myself when I am feeling
down about it that this is where the Lord needs me. You really feel the true
meaning of Christmas when all you do is serve the Lord. It is hard, but it’s so
comforting to know what your doing is what the Savior himself did. I Love this
Gospel and lately have really been feeling the joy and peace that comes through
learning of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is that we have this
season to remember that He really is the Gift. I love you all and hope to hear
from everyone soon!
Keep
the Faith,
Elder
Kaleb Bingham
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