Dear Family and Friends,
This has been some week. Thats about all I can say. Bleh! I'm just burned in my mind! I will say this much. Some of the greatest trials and efforts that I've put in with one person in particular is finally coming to resolution in restored strength and trust. An inactive girl in our branch showed up to church for the first time in a year and a half. I wanna share a story with you about her.
Four months ago when I got into Lyulin with Elder Robins I started by flipping through the area book in the in-active section. I called a few people and got nothing really positive. One of the numbers I called was however an extended conversation that was completely awkward.. My bulgarian was horrible and I just felt stupid. The following week I decided to call the number again, having pretty much the exact same conversation. But I committed, I said, "I'm going to call this girl every thursday night until she either stops answering or something good comes from it!". So every thursday night I called and the conversation improved only slightly every week. I could never get a meeting though. For two months I only just announced church and fun nights, etc. finally after the new year we got a meeting and we brought the sisters with us by lucky chance they decided to be in Lyulin. It was awesome! we taught a message about scripture reading. The next week nothing really... but the following week we met her, and ever since then shes coming to english everytime, we're seeing her three times a week, and now finally after four months she came to church. This following sunday maybe my last sunday here, I still dont know...but Lyulin has been a place of many miracles for me to see. It has been so hard too. I cannot begin to describe the frustrastions and pains i've suffered through, mostly in the last two months with Elder Bolton. Its not him, he's an awesome missionary and probably one of my best companions and friends...just the transfer has been hard. The APs came down on splits with us and one told me that Lyulin was his hardest transfer, like a mini Zions Camp.
Anyways get out your maps of Bulgaria and guess a city, i'll tell you the results next week. Along with that every single person that gets this letter has a commitment and a challenge to look up info on one inactive person, just one... and call that person, invite them to something. Then keep doing it, once a week.
one more inactive story that happened this transfer. there was a man on the list whose a priesthood holder. we went over to him and hes been every sunday since. His stories funny too, I think i mentioned it. but theres these signs that people put on their doors..bulgarian tradition to honour dead people. this man had one on his door. "in rememberance of Evgeni who died 3 years ago". but appearantly it was his father. but this man even bears his testimony alot.. hes already our third hour teacher. ONE VISIT!!! THATS IT!!! and freak this is bulgaria where its "hard"
anyways love you all.
sorry im hurrying again this week.
much love
Elder Briggs
alright I love you all keep it real. I'll tell you the results next week.
