Hello how is everyone?Im doing great P is doing well we were able to teach her again and she loved it. Also we were able to get her over to family home evening with a bunch of old folks in our branch so she fit right in. She's coming to church, and will be coming to FHE again she is reading her assignments and we are excited about her. We found a few more people that said theyd be coming to church but they bailed on us. You get that alot people just dont do what they say. We are having most of our success outside St.Mary's just because that's definetly the stronghold of Catholiscm but nice people for the most part. We are excited about S just in the begining stages with her we stopped by to see her last night and had a good mini lesson but she invited us over tonight and we are bringing a single guy in our branch over. Me and Elder Norton are thinking we've got to set these to up. He's 38 she's 34 and they both want to get married understandbly. So hey maybe that will facilitate her getting more excited. But me and Elder Norton will be heading up to the Kane branch this sunday for the first time they asked us to give talks and then on the 20th we are giving talks at the Ridgway branch. Some thing that comes to mind is the talk by Henry B.Eyring entitled Remember, Remember. I think the reason Ive thought about it is because I think as members we aren't as steady as we should be we are to hot and cold. If we were to keep on the top of our mind the spiritual expierences we've had we would be must likely to slip and fall. Satan wants us to forget who we are and lull us away into carnal security my challenge for all of us this week is to remeber our spiritual expierences and let those expierence propell us to more spiritual growth I love you all take care. Elder Powell

Wow time sure does fly.Its been a good week theres two cool stories. First of all we found a girl named C and she seems really humble and willing to learn. Shes 21 and is a single mom. She's overcome alot in her life we will go for our return appointment tommorow hope that goes well. Also we had a very good lesson with a lady named P. We honestly werent sure what we were going to teach her. Elder Norton found her on exchange with Elder Ang-Bejar. We taught her about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how it not only covered her sins but her weaknesses, her pains, her trails and she had never realized that before. She seemed so happy to know that and says it will be easier to have a relationship with God knowing that he has felt everything she has felt first hand expierence. We also taught about the fall and how we will be responsible for our own sins and not by Adam and Eves choices. We told her that Gos has a plan and we need to make good choices to please him and make it back to him so we brought up baptism and she said she would be baptized when she came to know this was true. When we left her an assignment she was eager to read it and she was like if I have questions can I right it down we were like YES haha. So that was a neat expierence. But ya we have helped the members alot this past week. One of the members had an emergency had to get the hay cut, bailed and transported before the rain come in because the hay cannot be wet. Well we helped them from 6 to 10. My goodness im sore I was running from bail to bail throwing it up, I sweat like crazy it was like 90 degrees with humidity and I weas wearing Jeans but that night I didnt get to bed till like 12. Haha we dont normally do that but they needed it done. Our mini zone conference meeting went well I had a good talk with President Summerhays for like 30 minutes haha Elder Norton only got to talk to him for like three minutes. But ya we had to do a role play in front of the Zone a mock teaching situation and that was pretty fun. But im doing well we had a great week we will keep working hard and trying to find God's children. I love you all.Take Care

Hello greetings from St. Mary's!!!!This past week was good we spent a good amount of time meeting the Ridgway Branch members. Few in numbers but they seem strong. Some really neat people in the branch including a black family of 10. So haha they make up a big part of the branch. But this branch is really into missionary work. They have this program called send a B.O.M on a mission. Each active member has commited to place 5 B.O.M 's each year. Well alot of them have already placed B.O.M's in their friends hands so what they are doing now. Is they prayerfully select 5 names out of the phone book and send the B.O.M and their testimony. We then as missionaries foolow up with the people it will be alot of work haha but I think it is a great start for missionary work. I mean it shouldnt replace one on one contact but they are making an effort and that's what counts. Me and Elder Norton had some pretty good success weve found 5 investigators the past week and this next week we have no obstructions in terms of schedule so we are going to try and tract for over 20 hrs. Im excited to see what we can do and try and get this place rolling. Ya from more of what Ive found out. This place has been white washed 3 straight times so it hasnt been doing well. Yes there is alot of Catholics i mean alot. They are pretty nice but dont really budge. But yesterday we had Zone Conference and man it was tense. So lets just say Pittsburgh missionaries have some obedience issues and President Summerhays was basically like anyone that isnt willing to keep the rules ill get you a plane ticket home. I realized that I myself am not perfectly obedient and need to imporve in several areas. But I guess alot of ther missionaries have facebook accounts, watch movies, play video games, and the last guy in this area got too close to a girl. Too be truthful its a clash of styles right now I feel lucky to be with Elder Norton. They were very casual missionaries that dont really take things seriously and about having a good time and our mission was about being obedient and trying our best. So it will take some time I have a feeling a few people will be sent home. I feel so bad for President Summerhays because I sure wouldnt want to do deal with a situation like this. But im doin good and I want to strive to have more meaningful prayer this week and hope you will too. Have a great week Elder Powell

I am pretty tired so I don't know how long this will be. We worked hard this week I was pleased at the amount we were able to teach this week. We had a mini zone conference this week and I got too have an interview with President Summerhays and it was short and sweet. He didn't give me any indication of whether I'm staying or going. I will find out soon enough. Transfer calls will be on monday and transfers we will all head down to Pittsburgh for transfer meeting. Just this once I think we all will come so everyone can meet each other. Thats going to be alot of missionaries probably 170. My guess is I'll be heading out but still a good chance I might stay. Too be honest I love the branch but its sometimes difficult with the area. There are not a lot of people and its so spread out. But nonethless we have been blessed these past few weeks too teach quite a bit. I think my favorite part of the week thus far was when we were able to teach M G. Elder. Bylund came on exchange with me and we taught about the Plan Of Salvation and I felt the spirit really strong and I know M did too. Its great when the spirit directs you dont even think about what you say you just let him speak for you. I really enjoyed my exchange with Brother Roberts. The reason why is because I was just so impressed with his quiet fortitude. He is poor and struggles to make ends meet, he's never been married, he pays his tithing. Yet he always comes out every month on exchange with us. He is great example of doing your duty and not complaining about it. He could make up excuses for not coming with us but he doesnt. It was just great too see his example. But I've been studying the Bible alot lately im in 2nd Chronicles. One great story I was reminded of was the story of Naaman. He had leprosy and he went to Elisha the prophet to be healed the prophet told him to go wash in the Jordan river 7 times. Naaman was wroth because he wanted Elisha to heal him right there, and if it was a river why the Jordan river so he had a bad attitude. His servants said something profound to him its found in 2nd Kings 5:13. " And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, IF THE PROPHET HAD BID THEE TO DO SOME GREAT THING, WOULDEST THOU HAVE DONE IT? HOW MUCH RATHER THEN, WHEN HE SAITH TO THEE, WASH, AND BE CLEAN?" Naaman repented and he did as Elisha directed him to do and he was healed. So to are we guilty at times of Naamans attitude. We often times think oh that wont help. I dont see how reading my scriptures, or saying my prayers, or going to church, or going to the temple could really heal me. We conjure up some miraculous way of how God will heal us yet we deny the little aspects of the healing process. God wants to see where we stand he wants us to take counsel from our heart rather then our mind so much. He wants to see how strong our faith is and whether we will trust him to do the little things to bring about great miracles. Remember the brasen serpant and how many of the Children Of Israel denied looking at it to be healed because of the simpleness of the way. We need to do the little things in order to qualify for God's trust and too secure for ourselves marvelous blessings. Im glad that this lesson was brought back to my mind because I am just as guilty as anyone. I know this gospel is true do your very best and be happy. I love you all. Elder Powell

Man we were really blessed this week.

We had three people at church, we got two real solid referals, and found a real neat couple. J came was one of the ones that came and we found him a hearing device so he could hear the talks. He has been too church three times so technically he can now be baptized. We fasted with him but his heart is not all the way into it. He has read about 150 pgs in the Book Of Mormon but he is not praying with real intent and he is just being to casual about everything. I think it will take some more time to get him ready for baptism so I dont know if he will make his July 25th date so pray for him that a mighty change of heart can come upon him. We also had J and KG come to church we found them on Friday so that was really neat. We just looked up on a hill and some some houses and said hey lets tract that street. They are looking for a church and J actually has some connections through family members with the church. I think they enjoyed it pretty well, the branch really was kind to them. Unfortunatley K had told her Dad that she would attend church with him this week but they said they would come the next week. Pray that they will feel of the spirit that it will direct them to come to our church. It was neat though we took Brother Clapper with us and he bore strong testimony and just told how he came to know the church was true. At first he was a little closed off too the message because of the bad wrap that mormons get out here. But when he oppened his heart the spirit touched him and he became converted. But our referals are both member referals one is Brother Gates brother and the other is Brother Fairs brother so thats exciting because they already have friendships with members. C was going to come to church but bailed out at the last moment and also another investigator named M S. So we almost had five at church which would've been awesome but we will settle with three, I'm happy with that haha. We weren't able too see J F this week because he has been very busy. Pray that we will have opportunities to teach him and that he will be able to come to church. Yesterday we had a mini zone conference and interviews. It was pretty good it was neat talking to President Summerhays and im excited for what will happen in the next two weeks. I bet I'll be getting transfered over Pittsburgh way. Either way though I'd like to stay because I feel that some good things will happen here in the next few months. I was really proud of the branch because the Zone Leaders showed some statistics in the Stake. It talked about member referals and member exchanges for the past few months and baptisms and guess he was near the top in all those categories the Bedford Branch. Whats really sad though is that the branches are doing more work then the wards are. When we are in our wards we need to make sure that we aren't neglecting our duties. Wards should be able to accomplish wonders but at least out here they are slacking and are not involved enough in the missionary work. Our branch sacrifices alot. The men of the priesthood basically come out at least once a month with the missionaries. Plus many have 3 or four callings. Let us never shirk from our duty. I want to leave with a thought. It was from general conference from Dieter F. Uctdorf. He remarked how there was a time when a group of men were trying to move a piano out of a room and they were struggling to find a way to get it out. Then one of the men offered a profound comment he said "Brethren stand close together and lift where you stand." As the did that they were able to accomplish that task. So it is with us if we are unified and stand close together and each do our part the lord's work will go forth more gloriously. It doesnt matter what talents we have as long as we offer them. Remember the parable of the talents one had five one had 3 and the other 1. the five and the three were rewarded evenly because they both didn't hide their talents and the one with the one talent hid it and the Lord took it away from him. Let us work for the Lord and he will work for us and shower us with blessings. I know this to be a true principle. I love you all hope you have a great week. Elder Powell

Hey everyone hope you all had a great fourth of July. We ate good on the 4th I tell you what I ate enough hot dogs and hamburgers to last a month haha. But It was a good week we were able to meet President and Sister Summerhays and to be honest it wasnt as hard to me as I thought it would be. They seem like great people although they dont seem that they will have as lively personalities as the Pugh's you could tell they have the spirit with them and they will lead us well. I feel for President Summerhays he has so much to do the next couple weeks. He basically has interviews straight for the next two weeks. Well a few changes will occur first of all this is the LAST time that you will hear from me on monday's starting next week our P-Days will change to Thursdays. They had been doing that and their reasoning for us doing it that way is so that we can get rested up right before the really effective days of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. That way we will have more in the tank to hit it hard at the end of the week. I personally think its a good idea although it will take some getting used too. Also there will be no more departing missionary firesides which is kind of a bummer. For transfers we will go to Pittsburgh and some of us may need to catch a greyhound to get there for me im not too far away. Also our standard of excellence for tracting was 10 hrs now it is 12 hrs but im happy to say that we got it this week as well as every week of this transfer. Also pretty sure this will be my last transfer here he said he was going to mix things up unless there was a real need to keep a companionship together. So most likely in 3 weeks ill be headed Pittsburgh way which will be fun but Bedford is really growing on me. Im starting to become real close to the members. I loved fast and testimony meeting yeterday the spirit was strong. Its just neat to hear the strength of these members and the great things they must do to keep their testimonies strong. They are so appreciative of their membership in the church even if it means they have less friends and family members that lose respect for them. I really appreciated Bro. Clappers testimony he shared his love for missionary work and how he enjoys coming out with us and learning and growing in the gospel. If only all members could have his attitude that hey I love missionary work and I love voluntering my time. He being a recent convert is a great strength to the branch. I truly do love the members in this branch. I think the coolest missionary expierence we had this week is when we were tracting we found a man named C D. His wife had just left him the pevious night and he was really struggling. It was so neat for me to be able to teach him and watch how our message was able to give him peace and greater hope. He acknowledges that he needs to get more religious and we just testified to him that Christ's Atonement was meant for our trials. To help us get through and to help us overcome and rise to new heights. I felt the Lord led us to him to give him strength in a dark time in his life. Also we set J with a baptismal date for the 25th of July. We know he still has a ways to go and we need to help him gain a testimony but he is reading from the B.O.M. Hes in 2 Nephi 20 so thats pretty good. I think more then anything we wanted to set something he could push for. Pray that he will be able to come to a witness that Joseph was a prophet of God. He needs to know that so he can have the conviction to obey the word of wisdom and to make the neccesary changes in his life. But im doing great it was a good week me and Elder Winters are working hard and we are trying to find those whom the Lord has prepared. To close I want to leave you with a quote. Its from C.S Lewis quoted in Dale E Millers talk entitled Bringing peace and Healing to your soul in the November 2004 conference. "God has an infinite attention to spare for each one of us. He does not have to deal with us in the mass. You are as much alone with Him as if you were the only being He had ever created. When Christ died, He died for you individually just as if you had been the only man or women in the world." What a touching quote as we have in our minds the idea of our freedom. Let us remeber the ultimate source of freedom comes from ou savior Jesus Christ. It is he that can free us from any undesirable circumstance whether we bring it upon ourselves or not. It is made possible through his Atoning Sacrafice I love the Savior and I know it would all do us good to draw closer to him. I love you all and hope you have a great week.With Love Elder Powell

Hello,
How is everyone doing?Im doing pretty well although it was pretty sad saying bye to President and Sister Pugh. Truthfully they were some of the greatest people Ive ever met. They are people that you look up too and say man I want to be like them. The Zone Conference was really spiritual. I will be truthful; tears flowed from eyes a great deal. When I said my last goodbyes it was tough for the first time on my mission I was permitted to hug a lady. President Pugh said that Sister Pugh could give each of us a hug. She had been waiting for three years. I will always love the Pugh's. But all is not lost it will be great to have a new expierence. On Thursday we will meet President Summerhays at a Zone Conference in State College. I feel for that man he has a lot to get organized and a lot to do to make the merge a smooth transition. Im excited too meet them and excited for new expierences that lie ahead. The work in Bedford is going pretty well. We worked hard this week and we found a sweet lady, her name is S. She lived in a trailer park and she let us right in. She said that we were an answer to her prayer and that she is looking for a church. Unfortunatly she wasn't able to make it too church this week. J is doing ok he just doesnt have a strong desire to obey the word of wisdom and too keep the commitments we give him. We weren't able too see C this week. B is out of town for a few weeks so he's on hold. So whish I could say our area is rocking but its not going as well as we would like. Although I can see some great potential in some of our investigators they just need to excercise their faith and be more consistent on keeping their commitments. I do know though from previous expierence that when you keep going strong good things happen later. Thats some advice I want too give all of you. That is too keep plowing through and wait for the promised blessings of the Lord. He many times allows us to struggle so we will rely more on him and appreciate our blessings more. I know this is true always keep the faith. But man I cant believe its almost the 4th of July hope everybody has fun plans. Elder Winters and I are invited too two barbeques and we plan on working as well. So we should have a fun fourth. But I imagine I will have much too tell next week due too the great changes. But I love you all. I know this gospel is true.Have a good week Elder Powell