S13 E5: Great Expectations (ft. Elder Utley)

 (Elder Cummings)

**I know I am so bad at responding to emails but thank yall so much for those who have messaged me. Always great to hear from y'all**

We got another Exchange miracle for yall today:

So we bike into this neighborhood, untouched for the last several months. We're not seeing many people out and about but we start walking our bikes around. After a while we realize we hadn't said a prayer yet. We stop and pray for miracles, that we would meet those willing to let God prevail and need to see us today, then resume our walking. After just a minute this lifted GMC Yukon with tinted windows stops in the middle of the road and starts rolling down their window. But behind the window this sweet lady is like "HEY! Can I have a Book of Mormon!?!".

She pulls off to the side of the road and we run over to her and give her a copy. Turns out 8 years ago her father died. Shortly after, the missionaries knocked on their door. She remembered the Book of Mormon and just the peace that she feels as she reads and studies from it. She had lost her copy a couple years back. What's awesome is she doesn't even live in that area of town but was just driving through at that moment we walking.

So cool. I love being at the right place at the right time.

Have a blessed week!!

Elder Cummings

Photos:

1. I went on exchanges back in my first area, the Westbank. The Relief Society was having a party and we stopped in to say hi to all these amazing women that have been so good to me. I love them so much

2. Biking with the bois

3. Biking with the bois on the levee

4. Biking with the bois at Five Guys

5. Pic with President Palmer from Westbank. Love that man

Deja Vu

 (Sister Putnam)

Hey, everyone!!

So this week we had transfers!! My new companion is Hermana Barrus and she is incredible!!

I am now back in Lynnwood for my last transfer! I will have spent 9 months in Lynnwood!! Kathie, Ben's mom has a Baptismal date, and the sisters in that ward are working to have her move it sooner, and if they do, I'll be able to attend!!

This week we spent meeting with members and setting up lessons, many of which cancelled, so that was tough.

I can't wait to finish out strong in Lynnwood.

I love you all!!

Hermana Alyssa Putnam

S13 E4: Miracle on 27th Street

(Elder Cummings)

So we have this lesson set up with a lady named Tisha. She is so awesome and we're so pumped and she calls us and cancels the lesson. I was on exchanges, so Elder Leis was like "you know what, we should head over there anyway and talk to people". It was the only lesson in the area we had that day, it was 11am on a Tuesday, and it was at the edge of our area a good bit away. Logically, it wouldn't make sense to head over there anyway. It would've made sense for us to finish our studies and planning the rest of the lessons we had that day. But if there is one thing I've been taught, when it comes to the Lord's Work, "it ain't a logic thing".

         So we head on over and park the car in the Tisha's neighborhood. We start walking and the first house we walk by there's this sweet lady named Nanja who was so excited to talk with us. She was like "I've been watching y'all. Each time yall come by yous always walking the opposite way. I been waiting for yall to come this way, to me". We were able to have such a sweet moment with her and explained who we were and Who we talk about and she was eating it up like it was her mother's cooking.

          Anyway. We keep walking down the street and run into Lester. Lester works in Lake Charles(like 3 hours away) and is never home but for short periods of time and we somehow caught him. He as well had seen missionaries around in the past but never had a chance to talk to them. He has been reading the Book of Mormon and said he's coming to church this Sunday!

           Lastly, we're continuing down the street and we hear some K-Love(Christian Gospel Music Radio #letmetellyouaboutmyjesus #toogoodtonotbelieve #thereisjoyinthehouseofthelord #walkingfree) playing in the distance...we knew exactly where to go. We meet Rochelle washing her car. She is a legend. She doesn't have a phone number but has seen us biking around in the past but never had the courage to just stop us while we biked. Because she doesn't have a number, it is so hard to get a hold of her. Please keep her in your prayers.

           What is so legendary is that this all happened in like 45 minutes or so. We were there at the right time. Why did we decide to go? I don't know, it didn't make sense. Why does the Lord use a bunch of college aged kids who have little to no life experience represent Him and do His work on the earth? Expecting to teach people of all walks of life about this Man who has and can solve all their problems and bring relief to all their pains? I don't know, it doesn't make sense. But it sure is awesome.

Stay blessed 🙏

Elder Cummings

1. Helping a member buy 8 tubs of salad dressing and LITERALLY 252 lbs of black beans

2. Exchange picture with my boy Elder Richards. I love that man so much.

3. The legend Jason Fowler

4. Demonstration of the graininess of my camera quality. Elder Leis said "it's like those old movies". I said "at least we have color"

NICE NICE NICE NICE

 (Sister Putnam)

Hey, everyone!!

So this week was super busy covering 2 wards, but that made it fun!!!

Tuesday we got a scam likely call and I answered it. The girl was eager to help me save a few hundred dollars on my cars extended warranty! I told her God is so good and shared Mosiah 2:17 with her and at that point she said I was breaking up and that she would call me back. She never did. Odd. Hermana Shupe & Sister Stevenson were enjoying it though lol.

I wasnt feeling well on Wednesday so honestly I don't remember much of what happened.

Thursday we had an in person social media training that was actually a lot of fun!

Friday we had a lesson with some Russians who were really cool and it was interesting to see their perspectives. Borris is curious about the book of Mormon and likes a lot of the doctrines of the church. He's a thinker and very intelligent. We also met with a family who lives in a tiny house, like extreme minimalism, it's actually really cool!

Saturday we had a knocking blitz again and we knocked on one guy's door & it was a family who was interested in talking. They'd met with missionaries before, and the son, Andrew, decided to step out at talk to us, and the dad, Hans, handed him a triple combination that was already marked up, and I was like "shoot is he gonna bash?" But he really had genuine questions and it was really cool to see what he had to say. And then he went in and Hans stepped out and expressed his appreciation for us and said that even though we aren't the same denomination as us he respects our bravery in sharing this message, and that what we do is good and he loves to see the common ground we have with his beliefs and understand what we believe. A very intelligent and humble family, definitely a highlight of my week.

That night we got transfer news and I will be leaving! I am so sad but interested to where the next transfer takes me!

I love you all!!

Hermana Alyssa Putnam

S13 E3: This is the Lord's work

 (Elder Cummings)

So Elder Smith and I have hit a low when it comes to the progression of our friends. We have several AMAZING people we're working with but there just seems to be roadblocks and obstacles stopping them. It has been very frustrating because we want so much for them but there is so much to be done.

So we're fasting this last Sunday, going without food and water. And we're fasting specifically that obstacles will be removed and our friends will have strength to progress. As well as that we will find those that are willing to let God prevail and accept His Gospel.

We're biking around town cause we live 30 minutes outside our area still(but now we're living in Central New Orleans so that's that's crazy) in 80 degree heat, the wind blowing against us completely dehydrated and hungry.

We had a brief conversation with a friend of ours named Eldridge Saturday night and invited him to church. Never met him before. He shows up Sunday morning. After sacrament meeting he looks at us and is like "So what do I need to do to be baptized? I'll do it" Absolutely floored and overjoyed. The first time we talked to him was the night before.

Then that night we have a dinner with a family in the ward as well as a part member family that we have been trying to work with, they are just so busy. By the end of the night we didn't even share a message because the Pentons testified and taught our message for us without even knowing. They testified to the San Miguel's of eternal families and the overwhelming joy of the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was strong and we just sat there watching the Lord do His work without us. It was so humbling and amazing. Now, Brother San Miguel, who is not a member, wants wants be baptized and sealed to his family.

The Lord answered our prayers and honored the efforts of our fast. He lead us to Eldridge, who is willing to let God prevail and allowed the Pentons to help the San Miguel's in a way we could never do and now they desire to have an eternal family. I know this is the Lord's work. And each time I tend to forget that, the Lord just loves reminding me. And I love it.

Have a blessed week y'all!

Elder Cummings

Sorry no pics this week :(

3 Pack again?

 (Sister Putnam)

Hey so yeah I'm in a 3 pack.  Our 3rd companion's companion was needed elsewhere and so she is now 3 packing with us. Her name is Sister Stevenson, She's just been out for 3 months and is just super super funny and energetic.  She has amazing enthusiasm and we love her.  We now cover 2 wards.  It's a little more stressful and busy than what I am used to, but I am loving it. I have noticed that as I am busier in the mission field I am a lot happier!

 OK so this week's updates.  We talked to Jose and he had been avoiding us all week long, and all last week. So we went to visit with him, Elder Smith and his companion came along . As we talked to him , we were able to get him refocused and to agree to meet with with us more .  He also was able to get a priesthood blessing.

 We also had a senior couple join our district this week, and they are lovely. They invited us over for breakfast today, and they are sweet.

 We also had interviews this week and it was crazy to see think this was my last normal interview.  My next interview will be my departing interview.  It is odd to think about- this transfer is almost over, and then I will have 6 weeks left. As I look back on my mission and all the experiences I have had and how much I have grown, I am so grateful and and I am so Excited to see what the next seven weeks bring.

I love you all!!

Hermana Alyssa Putnam

S13:E2 Mardi Gras

 (Elder Cummings)

Howdy y'all!

So sorry I missed last week, but so much has happened:

-Im currently living 30 minutes outside of my area cause our shower was broken and flooded the first floor of our apartment

-because of this our days consist of us driving into New Orleans, parking our car at the church and biking around the rest of the day. Exhausting, but so so good.

-oh and yes. Old Reliable(my bike) is back to business

 We fixed her seat. However her bike tire got a nasty nail straight through it. She still hasn't failed me though, the popped tire led to a great conversation with a friend of ours that needed to happen

-Mardi Gras is tomorrow. The Greater New Orleans area has had parades every day for the last two weeks. Not surprisingly, carjackings have gone up 2000% in the last month or so in uptown. The Good Time will be rolling, but we will be way out of the way

-I have had. So. Much. King Cake

I could go on and on but I'll just share one of the coolest experiences from this week. The ward here is pretty diverse. We have some French, Russian, Palestinian, Latino, German, and Ukrainian members here. It is awesome. I'm sure yall are aware of what is going on in Ukraine. Just imagine the feelings and Spirit I felt as I stand up after sacrament meeting to see two members of our ward, one Russian and one Ukrainian run up to each other, hug each other and start crying. That is the love of Christ right there. That is charity. I was filled with this amazing hope and happiness. Mormon is truly right when he teaches us " 45 charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

                46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

                47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."(Moroni 7:45-47). Let us have this love in our hearts!! For "there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people"(4 Nephi 1:15)

Have a blessed one, and pray for that charity,

Elder Cummings

Photos:

1. Big ol pop

2. Me and Elder Mast the legend on exchanges

3. Elder Smith and I biked to the end of our area. Literally like the Lorax. On the other side of the cement wall is bayou and swamp and trees