Fwd: Soooolid news!

So family I'm pleased to announce that I will be getting transferred!

So I'm running through ice and coals right now.. One because I
freaking love this ward. It's so hard to say goodbye to some of the
members here, but the other because I'm getting a new area and a new
companion!

This week was basically pretty missionary type week. In the beginning
of the week we went into Charlottesville to play some sports and after
the member came and got us I realized I left the keys in the church.
So we didn't have a car for the next two days but it was still fun! We
got it back at district meeting on Tuesday. We didn't do much tracting
because it was mid 100's. In the beginning of the week we taught
Curtis and his wife. His car got hit by lightning so we took him to go
buy another car. We taught Jill some more and I will not be able to be
here for her baptism. I'm sad but it's just the life of a missionary!
We also did a bunch of service in the week for a bunch of our
investigators and also brother Creasy. I love his horses so much! They
are hilarious. The later part of the week we said goodbye to some
members and to our investigators. It's been a good area! And I'll miss
it like crazy but it is time to move on.

I took some pictures with some members and will send them over. I'll
also send some later tonight because I have more people to see. Sorry
for the short texted email! I'll respond to each of you later today.

Love you guy so much!

~Elder Gibbons

Last one is a picture of John one of our investigators. He's stubborn as a mule but such a cool guy. I'll definitely be visiting him when I get back!

Hello family

Well this is probably my last week in Rivanna! This week flew again.
It's crazy how fast time flies when you're working. This week we
taught multiple lessons with Jill. Again she is progressing but has
hold ups. We are working with her to get her married so she can be
baptized. So most likely that won't be when I'm around. I'm sad I'll
miss it but happy that she will finally get baptized.

I honestly am having a hard time remembering anything from this week.
But early on we helped Brother Creasy with a ton of work. We ended up
helping him cut his grass and do a bunch of work on his horses. We
helped out Curtis and got a giant tree cut off of his driveway. He was
super grateful for that. He is slowly getting farther and farther away
from the truth. He has been attending Calvary chapel and he says he is
converted to that church so we probably won't be teaching him much
more.

Later on in the week we helped brother Allred build some bird houses.
Haha we got carried away and I suggested we build a bird condo. So two
hours later we put the vacant signs on the door. It was hilarious.
I'll shoot a picture over.

Sorry I don't have much to write about! I will write all of you
individually to make up for it.

Love yall

~Elder Caleb Gibbons

Truth is evident by the Holy Ghost.

This week flew by! So we started it out with a super fun pday. We
played sports and hung out with the zone. Afterwards we had a service
project and more lessons. Remember that lady that we went to give her
a bible? He name is Jill, and she read the Book of Mormon also and
going to get baptized on August 27! She came to church and told us
that she still has some things that she needs to work out but she is
so close! We talked to her about the word of wisdom and the other laws
of the gospel. She smokes but recently quit cause she wants to get
baptized. After we talked to her and set her on date her husband came
in and we taught him as well. He says he isn't really into the bible
but from what Jill has been telling him about the Book of Mormon he
wants to learn more also! So we are helping him quit smoking by e
cigarettes, because if Jill smells cigarettes she will want to smoke.
So we helped him get set up to stop smoking, and after that he said
that he wants to be nicotine free by her baptismal date! He said that
if he was able to do it then he will read the Book of Mormon and
eventually get baptized as well! Freaky crazy miracles after miracles!
Anyway.. This week flew by and we had a lot of service.

I've realized recently that if investigators are truly looking for the
truth they will get it! It's crazy the difference you have when you
teach someone who actually is wanting to learn the truth. I shared a
scripture with Jill that made total sense to her and she took the
invite we gave to her and she received an answer!

The scripture is D&C 9:8 "But, behold, I say unto you, that you must
study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if
it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you;
therefore, you shall feel that it is right."

The church is true and the power of the Holy Ghost is real! Love you all!

~Elder Caleb Gibbons

August

This week was true,y humbling. Early on in the week we started slow.
We taught maybe 3 or four lessons, it was a rough start for sure. So
then we get a call from the secretary of VRM. She said that we had a
referral who called her and asked for missionaries to come by! So she
called us right away and we visited her with in the hour. It was such
an amazing lesson. She said she wanted to clean up her life because
she just got in trouble with cocaine. After talking to her about the
restoration, she asked us why she hasn't been able to hear about the
Book of Mormon until now? We said we were Mormons and she laughed! We
wondered why and she said she went to the first website that popped up
for a free bible. Anyway. She loved our message and she agreed to be
baptized after she gets a testimony about the book. She was super
ready for change and hopefully she will be able to get baptized soon!

The ward here is great. After that awesome lesson we visited ward
members, and less actives. So I think we taught 6 less active lessons,
and guess how many less active members attended church on Sunday? 6.
Ahh it was such a good feeling to have people come back to the gospel!

I was reading out of Mosiah 5 and found this sweet scripture:

"15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable,
always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent,
may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have
everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power,
and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in
earth, who is God above all. Amen."

King Benjamin is a boss.

Anyway love y'all a ton! Thanks for all your support and love through
the mission so far!

~Elder Caleb Gibbons