Real People with Real Problems

Tuesday- 

Today was an incredible day. Elder Pfau and I had 6 lessons planned with Juan(21), Quay and Arranda(a young couple ages 25), Marcus(27)  Heyward(70), Liz(60), and Tisha, a mother of 4. Every lesson except for Heyward ended with a commitment to come to Church!! 

The lessons went incredibly well and Elder Pfau and I saw so many Blessings!!!! We taught Quay and Arranda the Law of Chastity and they literally proposed to each other right on the spot and it was incredible. They are also on date for baptism July 21st. It's so nice to know these younger people so well and I've been able to share personal experiences with them while teaching and testifying of the Attonement of Jesus Christ and things are getting so real. 

We also found a ride for all of them to be at church which is a blessing. These are real people with real problems and needs and seeing these individuals feel the spirit and become overwhelmed with the desire to repent is a gift that has no price. 

We also picked up our new friend Debbi. She is a single grandmother who is watching over 3 of her grandchildren that were once crack babies. She is THE sweetest soul I've met in my whole life and we taught her the plan of salvation and she is bringing all of her grandkids to church with her on sunday. She has a truck and is amazing. Shes been looking for an answer to her prayers and she said we were there for her. 

Elder pfau and I have a blast playing curb ball with our investigators. It's a game where one person tries to hit the edge of the opposite curb across the street and if you hit a curb as a car drives by you automatically win. Not many can afford a basketball hoop so that's the next best thing. It's so much fun and today was just a crazy awesome blessing. 

Liz our investigator also made us peanut butter fudge. JUST FOR US.. my gratitude geos beyond my words.

Wednesday-Friday:

 These days were packed full of lessons and working with members in the church to give rides to the many people we have coming to church this sunday. We also are currently helping our friend Toryen quit cigarettes. Hes really committed to try because he really wants to be baptized and hes doing so well. It's an honor to help him with this habits. The body is your soul's house and its known from modern day revelation that we must take care of ourselves and watch what we ingest. It is a commandment from the lord. 

We also put our friend Marcus on Date for baptism and hes so excited. Hes so humble and his story is very inspiring. Just a few years ago he was accepted to play basketball at University of Michigan and played side by side with Draymon Green on the warriors. He got caught up in some rough gang cross fire while walking home from practice one day and he was shot in the back... losing all feeling in his legs. Hes now a motivational speaker at the local university here in Saginaw and he absolutely loves to hear about the gospel. So blessed to help him strengthen his faith in jesus christ. 

We also met up with Debbie and she made us cookies and we taught her the plan of salvation. She loved it so much and her and her 3 year old grandson will be at church sunday. 

We also taught our friend Tisha the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and we recited Joseph Smith's account of him receiving an answer to restore Jesus Christs true church. She said she couldn't ever deny this ground breaking revelation and she said the doctrine taught in the book of mormon was true and wants to be baptized this July as well. So excited. 

We got our car taken away because there are more sister missionaries then Elders now and sisters have first priority so we only have bikes to ride around and its tons of fun. We have these massive U locks so no one can steal them in the Ghetto. I'm gaining weight because of anxiety, stress, and to much food but I'm optimistic I'll get blessed for blessing others.

Saturday-Sunday: 

To sum things up we had 9 people committed to come to church on sunday and 4 showed up. Even though it was less them half of what we were hoping for ... it is still a blessing. Jesus Christ would leave 99 sheep behind to save 1 so with an eternal perspective of things, its all worth it. 

Elder pfau and I have been working our butts off to teach everyone and we see blessings every day. I hope every one had a happy fathers day. 

Good things to come!

 I'm happy to help others grow they're faith in Jesus Christ. I hope and pray every day that these fine sons and daughters of God will commit to follow the supreme example of Jesus Christ by getting baptized in the name of God under the proper authority.

Miss every one and thanks for the support,

Elder Connolly

Here is a picture with me and my dear friend savage. We played some basketball and the deal was if I beat him I get to teach him about the restoration of the church and get a picture. .. I won so here we go. The next picture is of a dude riding his bike around in the ghetto with his pet pitbull on a chain. It was pretty cool so I snagged a picture.