Brunswick, Georgia

 Michael's new address is as follows:

Elder Michael P. Gebhard

104 Camellia Court

Brunswick, Georgia  31520 

Brunswick, Georgia is so awesome!  It really was the place I most wanted to go, and lo and behold, I got it first.  The work is probably better here than in any other district.  There are 2 wards and the church members here are so sweet and kind.  they are also pretty involved in missionary work.  We have visited many people already and I feel sad thinking that I'll probably leave them in 5 weeks ( they say trainees of zone leaders always get transferred).  But I hope i stay for months.

   My companions are Elder Pelo and Elder Graham.  We have not had an argument yet and we are all clean.  Also, we all can cook so you could imagine we're having a great time.  We have protein shakes every morning,omelletes, hash browns, fried rice, amazing tomatoe soup, grilled cheese.  We are eating so well.  Last week, we actually didn't have a single meal from a member  D: but hopefully we will this week.  I have enjoye having skills that I can use to serve my companions.  I have broken out my classic Orange Julius twice now :D  

One of the recent converts I met is Sister Hutcheson.  She lived in Delta/Orchard Mesa for a long time growing up.  It was awesome to make a relationship with her and now we're great friends.  Her Mom is hilarious.  She is from Australia and cares for all these insane wild animals.  She saids "bloody love" so much, even in church :/  it's humorous.  The awesome part is that she is cousins with Steve Irwin!!! How awesome is that.  She was part of the show but just never was on camera.  I found this out when she told me her cousin was killed by a sting ray.  Oh the treasures you find in Brunswick! 

   My first Sunday was great.  those 8 hours went by so quickly.  We had 4 investigators in the 1st Ward.  Beverly, who is 55 and has smoked for 40 of those years came.  She is SO excited about the gospel and so ready for baptism.  The only challenge is the cigarettes, but she has alreay cut it down from  20 to 6 a day.  The hardest part for her will to be fellowshipped into the ward.  all of her front teeth are rotten and decayed.  I hope people can look past that and see her for the sweet lady she is.

    Next, we had Ms. Rose come with her two "kids," Rashawn (13) and Zoesha (9)"Zoee-sha").  They were the cutest, best black family I've ever seen in achurch.  They all matched in purple.  Ms. Rose had a purple dress with a big ol' black baptist easter hat on.  So legit.  Zoesha had a cute dress on and had her hair in some crazy braid.  Best of all, Rashawn who is a pretty big kid was in these like purple checkered pajama which were super loose and was rocking these ROCKING PURPLE ALLIGATOR SKINNED DRESS SHOES.  I have never seen something so beautiful.  In the 2nd Ward, two potential investigators showed up that we will start teaching this week.  There are so many cute little kids in the wards.  Its going to be so fun.

  I have a testimony that Jesus Christ was resurrected and now leads a church on the earth.  That church is His church, which name I carry with me at all time, and which name I am honored to have "Elder Gebhard" on the same badge as.  Two years is a long time, but it will fly by, and fly I will, higher and higher; becoming more Christlike myself, and helping others do the same.