Week 51: Oftentimes the Joy Surfaces Through the Bittersweet

 End of an Era

Transfer #8 in the books ;)
Winchester, KY 
Here. I. Come!

Yep! I'm moving to Winchester tomorrow! Transfer News came on Saturday morning, and as I suspected, the Lord has called me to serve up in Winchester with Elder Edwards, who is on his last transfer. I'll continue to serve as district leader of the Boone district (what an absolute icon of a name btw imho). Should be good as I know several of the missionaries in the district. I'm excited for what the Lord has in store!!

Anyways, I made it a goal this week to leave everything on the line. I reasoned this would probably be my last week ever to serve as a missionary in the Corbin Area, and wanted to leave with absolutely no regrets. And we absolutely Killed it! We found 4 new people, and so many potentials, it wasn't even funny!

One such example was an experience we had on Saturday. Why craft something unique when I've already written about it, so I'm going to just verbatim quote it from my journal that night...

"Amazing faith-filled day in Barbourville. We layed it all on the line after eating @ Cheddars for Lunch in London to exchange back [(because we had just been on exchanges with the ZLs)].
We knocked pretty much an entire complex & it was amazing! We found so many potentials, and particularly touched this friend named Jacob. He was just sitting down on his porch and we came over to talk w/ him. Shared BofM. When we read 3 Ne. 9:14 it powerfully hit him. He was still reading as we drove away 20 mins. later!!! He is so prepared and shared a lot of vulnerable things with us!!"

God is really in this work. After about 45 minutes of door knocking there, we were thinking of leaving to head somewhere else. But, I had the quite voice of the Holy Ghost whisper to me that there was someone else there that we needed to talk to. After that prompting, we talked with several people, gave several copies of the Book of Mormon, and most importantly, met Jacob. I've been struck with gratitude this week that the Lord lets us missionaries touch the lives of Heavenly Father's children.

Anyways, some fun things of the week...

- Literally door knocked into the face of the KFC Brand. Literally the most odd and peculiar things I've ever experienced on my mission (let alone my life). And please... literally take that statement to a literal level. Literally. We felt like we should keep knocking this complex even though we only had like 5 minutes before we had to leave for a lesson. We knock on this door with a KFC logo, and then there before our eyes, Johnny Miller opens the door. He beckons us in, and Elder Barfuss and I just looked at each other. He welcomes us into his apartment, decked with all sorts of KFC Memorabilia. Honestly, I could hardly process what was happening, so I didn't really know what to talk about. Long story short, he's read all of the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price (which is one of his favorite books ever, by the way), used to talk to missionaries for several hours at a time, but is set in his faith. Lovely 15 minute talk with him, and I admire his perspective. His mannerisms though were on point for Colonel Saunders. 

Literally. Weirdest interaction of my mission.

- Road cleanup for youth activities

- Missionary Care tells me I have elevated blood pressure. I still hate running. Jump rope? I can handle... but running? No.

- Kash and I made up from last week as he cordially shook my hand goodbye last night at dinner. What a Kash Money King. He will now stay as a blue dot

- We're moving apartments today

- Played Tennis for District P-day last week

Anyways this is getting long, but, I'd like to close with my thoughts on the last 6 months. The Lord has truly been so good to me. I've been changed over the last 4 transfers in Corbin and am so greatful for the companions, friends, and ward family that have greatly influenced my mission and my life. I know that Heavenly Father and the Savior, Jesus Christ, are in the details of every aspect of this work, and if I let Them, They will author my story to be what They want it to be. In thinking of all the people I've met over the last 6 months, I'm reminded of a quote given to me by my BYU First Year Mentor: "Although our paths have crossed for but a moment, I am all the better for it."

I'm honored and greatful to be able to serve the Lord in the greatest work in all the earth. I'm so thankful that the Savior understands me, on a personal level, and will continue to bless me as humbly and prayerfully serve Him each and every day.

Full of Love for Each of You,

Elder Creer
Kentucky Louisville Mission


Pictures:


Zone Conference, installment 8 (from like 2 weeks ago)

Road Cleanup

District Lunch

Exchange Lunch at Cheddar's. S/o to Elder Callahan for paying with his prorated (that's a euphemism for apostate) funds.

A wise companion once called me this... literally laughed out loud

Still such a weird experience. He's one of the 2 people worldwide that is the official face of KFC and he's casually opening 2 stores in Florida next week. Ribbon opening and all.



The Sisters wanted a picture. So their picture is in my email now.

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