S14 E3: Miracles in Metairie

 (Elder Cummings)

So we've been working with the San Miguel's for a while and it's been so so so cool. Bro San Miguel wants to be baptized to join his family and ultimately be sealed to them for eternity. We're preparing them for his baptism, but there are some hurdles that we've had to go through.

        This week we had to teach them about the Word of Wisdom, the standard of how members of the Church of Jesus Christ take care of their bodies, mainly through abstaining from things like alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, and coffee and tea.

         Sister San Miguel loves tea so so so so much. She straight straight told Brother San Miguel when they got married that if he forced her to quit drinking sweet tea she'd divorce him. Of course this is probably a bit of a hyperbole but she loves sweet tea and it's basically the only thing she drinks.

         So we're teaching the lesson and it's going smoothly and the Spirit is strong. We ask them to make the lifestyle changes necessary for baptism and to enter a holy temple and they excitedly said yes. Afterwards, they both were like "yall know how like some lessons are better and more enjoyable than others? Yeah, this one has been our favorite". So legendary. We were just telling them of things they need to change and stop doing and they loved it. Now instead of being willing to divorce Brother San Miguel rather than give up sweet tea, Sister San Miguel is giving up sweet tea so she can be with him forever. Gotta love it.

Please pray for the following friends this week: Ricky, Janet, the San Miguel's, and Helen.

Have a blessed one

Elder Cummings

The Last One

 (Sister Putnam)

Hey everyone!

Sorry for not writing last week!!

Anyway this week on Monday night we had a our group departing interview with President and Sister Auna and they taught us a lot.

We got to teach our friend Ivania about the plan of salvation with the Elders. We are super impressed with how quickly she is accepting everything!!!

Remember Kathie, who's son Ben was baptized in February? She got baptized on Saturday and I was able to attend! It was an incredible experience!!

We got news we are both transferring and so I will be spending my last week in a new area, so that's exciting!!

As I look back on my mission I'm so grateful for everything I've experienced and learned. The mission is the hardest thing I've ever done, but it's the best decision I've ever made.

I love you all!! Thank you all for your support as I've been out. It really has meant a lot!

Hermana Alyssa Putnam

S14 E2: The Woodchum

 (Elder Cummings)

           Howdy yall! Sorry I missed last week, that's on me. We had to end pday early to make it to a New Orleans celebration of the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. April 4 was the anniversary of his assassination.

           It was such a cool experience. As missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we were asked to have a small choir to sing some hymns between speeches. It was a really neat experience. We got to meet the Mayor of New Orleans, the Lt Governor of Louisiana, as well as one of the Louisiana State Congressman.

           They spoke of the justice and peace that Dr King lived and died for as well as the impact he left behind. Then tied it into the life that Christ, the Prince of Peace, lived. I love what President Russel M Nelson, the prophet of the world said last weekend, "Brothers and sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today. Contention violates everything the Savior stood for and taught. I love the Lord Jesus Christ and testify that His gospel is the only enduring solution for peace. His gospel is a gospel of peace". Let us be disciples of Christ and His peacemakers!

Have a blessed one

Elder Cummings

Oh also, my companion's name is Elder Wood and my nickname has evolved from Elder Chummings to just Chum, so we have been called The Woodchum. Don't know why but we love it.

Photos:

Me and my main man Elder Richards

Last Zone Conference

 (Sister Putnam)

Hey, everyone!!!

This week we were able to visit with a family who's mom isn't a member. She had a few questions and we were able to answer them, questions about why we have so many trials, if trials always mean God is punishing us, etc. It was nice to be able to clarify for her!!

We also met with a family who had a friend over from Mexico who had questions about what we believe. She's really wonderful and it was amazing to answer her questions too!

On Thursday we had zone conference and talked about teaching with the intent to baptize, and bringing up baptism in lessons before we ask people to be baptized so it's on their minds and they're not surprised. Well immediately afterwards we had a lesson with the elders and our friend Ivania and we decided to bring up what baptism is and it went really well!!

We met with our new friend Jovita and taught her the Restoration and gave her a Bible! We are planning on getting her fellowship tonight so she hopefully feels comfortable coming to church with her kids.

Overall most of our lessons cancelled so that was sad. But on Saturday we attended a baptism and I got to see lots of members from my old ward!!

I love you all!!!

Hermana Alyssa Putnam

S13 E6: Prayers for Arabi

 (Elder Cummings)

Sorry I don't got a lot of time today. Some of yall may know, the surrounding areas near New Orleans took a tornado this week. This weekend we went as a zone to do clean up. Arabi is a part of town that particularly got hit. Please look at these pictures pray for these people🙏

Stay blessed

Elder Cummings

Phone calls!

(Sister Putnam)

Hey, everyone!

This week we visited a family whose mom isn't a member. Her name is Ana. She is interested in church but barely, so we are being very careful trying not to "blow out" the interest and read come, follow me with her.

We taught several English classes and also met with a woman who is a Spanish teacher in high school! We went to a combined Relief Society activity with two other wards in the stake and taught more English classes afterwards!!

We met with a woman who wants to attend church but was worried about her children being disruptive by crying, and we assured her that it would be okay, that everyone's kids come & make a little noise at our church. She also wanted a Bible so we are bringing her one soon! She didn't come to church but we will keep inviting her.

We had multiple spontaneous phone calls with people who wanted to learn about the church and about baptism, so I'll keep you updated on where those are going!

I love you all!!!

Hermana Alyssa Putnam

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