Another Week in Pittsboro :)

Monday we had a great preparation day and we were able to help the Zrubek family practice for their daughters' baptism. Amanda just turned 8 and Anna is 10. Anna has Autism which is why she wasn't baptized when she turned 8. Yesterday they were both able to be baptized together and it was very sweet to be able to be there and see their sweet faces. I LOVE the Zrubek family!

 

Tuesday we did exchanges with our Sister Leaders, Sister Wilde and Sister Merrill. I stayed in Pittsboro with Sister Wilde and we had a really good day. MIRACLE!!! We saw Christina! We invited her to our Branch activity on Saturday night, but she ended up not being able to make it. But we still saw her and talked to her and have hopes of meeting with her again soon! :)

 

Wednesday we had District Meeting and that evening Sarah had her baptismal interview! We've been struggling ALL week to get a hold of someone to check if the Stake Center is available on March 1st (because we don't have a font here in our makeshift building here in Pittsboro). It has been kinda frustrating to get everything cleared and set up. Sunday morning we found out that there is a Regional Pinewood Derby scheduled all day on the 1st. Those two environments, a Pinewood Derby and a Baptism, aren't the most conducive to one another. Sunday night we found out that a member in our branch, who is also serving on the High Council is in charge of the derby and he guaranteed us that they would be out of there by 1PM at the latest, so we get to have Sarah's baptism on the day and at the time that we had originally wanted! Tender Mercy! <3

 

Thursday we did some service and did planning for the week. We also had dinner with the Smiths, a new family who just moved here from Utah. Josh was supposed to be joining us, but he ended up working until we were leaving and we were able to meet with him separately for a little while before heading home. Josh is so sincere and so ready for this gospel. He loves it and he can see the difference it makes. He loves the Book of Mormon and he came to church again this week! Everyone loves him and is so happy to have him there!
 

Friday night we had dinner at Sarah's and met her son Jason. He is 32 years old and just moved back home for a little while. He was not the most thrilled to hear his mother was getting baptized into "that Mormon Church". We had a good conversation about it though and we were able to clarify some misconceptions that many people have thanks to television programs such as Sister Wives. He came to church this Sunday, but didn't feel the most welcome or the most comfortable because of his tattoos and things. Hopefully he will be able to see the happiness that his mother has and will see through her example how amazing the gospel is and how much it can bless his life too.

Saturday was a day full of service. We started out by doing some service for Josh and then Josh came with us to do some service to Sarah. It was a beautiful day that got up into the 60's. After all our service and things we had our Branch activity that was a international food night while watching the Olympic Men's Hockey game.... but honestly, no one really watched the game and we all socialized and had a great time as a branch. We're definitely outgrowing our little building and can't wait for this area to have it's own real church building!

 

I love the Pittsboro Branch so much! The people here are so amazing and so full of love for one another! Part of me never wants to leave! Hope y'all have a great week!

 

Love,
Sister Shurtz