Week 49

Hello all!
Last week for preparation day, we met up with the Dillon and Sheridan
sisters in Virginia City. It's like a tourist town- but even more so
than Ennis. It's in between here and Sheridan and there was an awesome
candy store, creamery, shops, museums, and an old time photo taking
place that a member owns! So we got our pictures taken! It was way fun. 
And we contacted some people out there.
So this week we had exchanges and both of our sister training leaders
from Billings came to Ennis. I thought there wouldn't be enough work
for 4 missionaries to do here in his town but it was crazy what we got
done! There were so many miracles. Doors opened left and right and we
got several new investigators. It was great! I wish it was like that
everyday!
It's been pretty hot here and there was a big fire going up in the gravellys.
We had a branch potluck for Pioneer Day on Saturday and we had some
less active members come. It wasn't as big of a turnout as we would
have liked but it was still good. No one stayed for the MoTab concert
broadcast though which was kindof sad.
We taught our 12 year old investigator this week and kindof put her on
date. Because the branch is hesitant about baptisms because everyone
goes less active afterwards, we committed her to pray about her own
date and emphasized the importance of going to church and everything.
She wants to be baptized. She just needs more support and fellowship
but we don't have any young women here that are her age so it's
difficult.
We did lots of service this week. We served at the library, senior
center, food bank, and nursing home and we are still trying to find
more opportunities. That's one of the best ways of finding in small
towns.
Here is something that has helped me a lot this week. I have been
burnt out and discouraged lately with tracting all day in the heat and
cancelled appointments but this quote has kept me going: "I have often
said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a
missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he
will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will
touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no
homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and
interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work,
work--there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary
work.”
                                                –President Ezra Taft Benson
I might have shared this before but I know that even if the day looks
like it's going to be rough but we keep going and work with a smile on
our faces, the Lord will bless us for our efforts-whether is be in big
or small ways.

Sister Lauren Ney
Montana Billings Mission