Hey everybody!
Things are definitely going good. We've been doing a lot of finding and we found a couple of new investigators this past week. We've been doing so much finding because our mission set this whole past week as a finding fest week, and we set a goal as a mission to find 300 new investigators. Quite a drastic goal! That would require each companionship in the mission to find 3 new investigators, and me and Elder Cottle did it! In one night too! Just because we had a mini miracle happen. The the story starts, we were in the Aguilar’s home for a Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) and things were going good with them. We had our investigator there and the Aguilar family had wanted us to teach on the Plan of Salvation. So after we eat and everything we start the lesson. We don't even get 5 minutes in before a work friend of the Aguilar's walks in just to stop by. And so we start talking to her and her two daughters that she brought with her. It basically turned into a lesson on Jesus Christ and his atonement, which technically is still part of the Plan of Salvation. Now I bet you're wondering where the miracle is. Well, Rene, our investigator that lives in the same house as the Aguilar’s, mentions to us that they never come inside to talk, they normally just stay at the door. What a coincidence that they just so happen to decide to actually come in and stay for a bit while we are there. I would dare say that's not a coincidence at all! And we've got them to commit to coming to our English classes on Thursday that way we can keep in touch with them. So in one night we got 3 new investigators from one visit.
Later in the week, we're trying to do more finding but not having much success. Then, Elder Cottle gets sick... Right in the middle of our week long finding fest, so he is stuck indoors for a couple of days to recover. Luckily we have an awesome zone and lots of missionaries willing to help out. So I hire a babysitter for Elder Cottle for a couple of hours so I can go out and work. I went with an English elder for most of the time because we are neighbors and it was just convenient. But we ended up doing a ton of finding and found a lot of people. Not necessarily new investigators but still a good conversation. This missionary I was with is still fairly new but not a whole lot. He's been out for 9 months. But the cool thing was I got to show him a couple of pointers and tips for how to talk to people and getting in a good conversation. It was really cool and not only did I learn a lot about contacting people, be he learned a lot as well! Then I did exchanges with Elder Thompson so I could go help him do some finding in his area and it rocked! We were stuck driving for the longest time because we couldn't find parking anywhere! Typical Arlington. But we were able to find a good parking spot and there was even a non-lockout building there as well! Arlington is notorious for its lock out apartment complexes which means you can't get in without a key. It's a missionary’s notorious enemy and worst nightmare. But we found one that wasn't! The funny part is, we didn't even tract it. We didn't have time to because we started talking to these two mothers that were outside watching their kids play. They were super cool and invited us to come back and talk with them some more! It was sweet!
So I guess moral of the story is, miracles do happen, you just have to look for them! That's the great part about finding as a missionary. Anything good that happens is considered a miracle
Oh yeah, and I hit my 16 month mark this past Saturday that's exciting!
Love you guys and talk to you next week!
*sorry no pictures this time. I forgot *
Elder Biehn
