WEEK 52: Becoming Southern

Elder and Sisters currently assigned to the Clear Springs Portuguese Branch

Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing amazing!! We had another really great week here in the Clear Springs Portuguese Branch. We have been able to have some really cool experiences with our investigators and members and do some service as well. 

These couple of weeks are pretty significant for Elder Stearman and myself because a few days ago (Aug 7th) he hit his one year mark, and in a couple of days (Aug 14th) I will hit mine. Needless to say, we will do a bit of celebrating. But this has been a really great opportunity to reflect on the experiences that I have had this past year. I never would have guessed how far this journey would have taken me, and how much I would grow spiritually. I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity to devote myself fully to the Lord, and work full time in the field, gathering Israel.

We are expanding our teaching pool yet again. We had a ton of success offering English classes to Brazilians. We now have a solid teaching group that we have been working with. We are so blessed to be having a church meeting with the branch THIS SUNDAY! So we are working hard to get our investigators to come and feel the spirit with us. We are so pumped to finally go back to church. But the work progresses. Finding and teaching is never impossible, and the rewards and blessings of the work are immeasurable. 

A highlight this week was a massive meal with Mama T. She had bought a 16 pound brisket for us, and had been letting it smoke for over 24 hours. When it was finally done, we ate the brisket inside of a corn bread bowl, topped with Mac and Cheese. I don't mean to be dramatic or anything, but that meal definitely touched a part of my soul. So good. I feel myself become a little more southern every meal like that I have. I love to be immersed in the culture of the people down here because there are so many similarities to life back in Utah, but also so many differences. I have loved serving these people. 

On one of our slower days, I was fortunate to receive a nice package from the Thompson family -- shoutout to them for all the snacks and everything. Thank you so much for sending that my way!! Y'all are the best. 

That about sums it up for this week. Lots of hard yard work in the Georgia sun, and lots of fun lessons with Brazilians. Continue strong! I love you all and I love the Lord. 

Love,

Elder Perry