There Was Warren Heaven (6/17/2019)

Dear friends and family,

My new companion, Elder Davis, is awesome. He is a BYU--Idaho graduate! Funny because I had just barely begun wondering if I should consider BYU--Idaho instead of Dixie State University, where I had been planning on going. Nothing's decided for certain as of yet but it's hard not to see that as a sign. Hah. Sign-seeking is kinda dumb most of the time but I didn't even ask for this one.

So yeah, I'm here in Warren, Ohio. Sadly I don't believe I'll get to do my 18-month-mark temple trip because it would take much too long to drive down to Columbus for it. Kinda a bummer.

We had a special experience a couple days ago where a recent convert called us and said her non-member husband had hit their daughter in a fit of anger and now child services was involved and he wasn't allowed near them for a time. This had happened a couple days prior. In the call she asked us for a blessing. We went over, calling a member in to join us. He said he would be there later though, so we sat on the recent convert's porch and talked for a bit. She was smiling and friendly and her two daughters were energetic and funny. I got to know her a bit. She didn't seem too shaken though. Until at a certain point where Elder Davis asked "How are you doing?" She said she was really scared. Not too surprising, but interesting how she is able to keep it together and be happy in spite of what was going on. The member arrived and learned what had happened, talked with her for a bit, and then gave her a blessing. This member was an awesome dude, he's a gospel prodigy--capable, kind, happy, wise... You could tell just from looking at him that this is the best example of the kind of results that the gospel brings. The blessing he gave was really powerful.

He then asked her if we could go see her husband too, so she called him and he gave us permission. (Because of this incident the husband agreed to seek counseling and other help; he knows it was wrong and all that.) We went over and talked with the husband who was staying with some relatives. He was visibly very down for obvious reasons. Once again the Brother with us knew what to do and what to say, offering this sorrowing man hope. He gave another blessing to this father which was very powerful and great to be a part of. The whole incident made clear that better things are ahead for that family.

And I know that I really want to be like that Brother.

Other than that we're working with some folks here, one we have on date is a guy named Forrest. There's a lot of progress to be made with him, so pray for him.

There was a tornado warning yesterday which was somewhat worrisome. Some damage was done, though I didn't see any tornado myself. However, the power went out at about 4:30 PM and wasn't back on until some time in the morning. Crazy stuff is happening here.

Love,

Elder Gallagher