I held my first baby duck!!!

ALOOOOOOHA!!!

So that title was mostly because I couldn't think of anything better, but there also is something glorious about living in the boonies of Oklahoma and knowing people that have cute things like baby ducks that you can play with. I LOVE OKLAHOMA!!!

Well here's a blow-by-blow of my week:

MONDAY: we went to Pauls Valley!!! If you don't know where that is, that's ok because it's pretty small. They just have a branch out there and their chapel doesn't even have pews. We went for the Pauls Valley zone p-day and STM. For p-day we played flickerball in the rain (a cross between football, basketball, and ultimate frisbee) and the STM was really great as well!

TUESDAY: I was on exchanges in Ada with Sister Drinkall, who is an amazing sister and I learned a lot from her. Ada is also a tiny town and they just became a ward, but the missionary work is doing well there. We got to do service in a boot and saddle shop for this guy named Hugh (who really wasn't a whole lot like Hugh Taylor), we knocked into a sweet old lady whose brother and sister-in-law were LDS (I'm sure they were leading us there on the other side of the veil), and we taught Book of Mormon class and then the bishop took us out for ice cream! We didn't get home until about 10:45, but it was worth it.

WEDNESDAY: We had a lesson with Stephanie where we kind of went over the Plan of Salvation again and answered some questions. She is getting so close! Then we went over to the elder's place because elder Bishop had been really sick so we brought him some ginger ale and crackers and stuff. Then we weekly planned, had some dinner, and had a lesson with Paula!

THURSDAY: We had another meeting today!! It was an LTM (leadership training meeting), and it included all of the district and zone leaders and STLs. It was really good, and pretty focused on ministering to the one when it comes to leadership. We spent the night in some pretty classy apartments in Norman that are still in our area. We had dinner there and spent the rest of the time hunting for less-actives. The weather was really nice so it was good and relaxing. 

FRIDAY: Tiffany Stokes was in town and came to early morning sports!! It was so good to see her. After a very inspiring district meeting about OYMing, Sis. Stewart and I went on exchanges. We had a lesson with Joseph and set a baptismal date for March 28! He wants to get baptized before I go home, but we'll see because he didn't go to church this weekend... He's pretty pumped about it, though. We had dinner and a lesson with the Borchers. None of the kids were there, but it was good to see Lynne and Kim. They're just fabulous :).

SATURDAY: We had a lesson with a new couple, Josh and Jacklyn. Josh had referred himself to mormon.org because he wanted a Book of Mormon and he didn't realize that people came with it. So we taught them a bit about the Restoration and invited them to read and pray. They didn't want to set a return appointment, so we'll see how far it goes. They felt the Spirit for sure. 

SUNDAY: The best part of today was the AMAZING FINDING MIRACLE we had! So we have this less-active family, the DeHavens, that just moved from the boonies to a trailer park right next to our apartment. We went to try and visit them, but they weren't home. While we were walking out, we started talking to these guys that were standing outside. Turns out that one of them, Kevin, used to be the DeHaven's neighbor when they all lived in Bakersfield and he'd already been taught a lot by the missionaries back then. Well now he and the DeHavens are neighbors again and Sis. DeHaven has already been working on him. Now we know where he lives, so he's pretty much baptized :).

Anyways, this week was great! I love being a missionary!! I hope you all had a great week and that you're seeing miracles and loving life. Life is supposed to be fun and joyful, so take advantage of that :).

LOVE YOU!

Sister Holloway

PS Scripture of the week:

And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!

PICTURES:

1. The baby duck!!

2. One of our member's houses way out in the country (yes, we are standing on the roof. Sort of)

3. After p-day in the rain. It was fun!

]