The Myth of the Golden Investigator...busted!

Christmas day at the Stracke's

By way of news from Ringgold - Kristen and Shannon have escaped the dreaded transfer one more time! However, they are headed to the mission home this week to pick up a third sister to add to their dynamic duo! They are both excited to be staying in the area as their work is finally paying off in a tangible way - they have a baptism up and coming!! Here is the story of the Myth of the Golden Investigator. 


"J" is freaking getting baptized and I cant even stand it! she is SOOOOOO prepared. 

Do you think these two have spent some time together??

So we taught law of chastity, a terrifying lesson for a couple that is living together and not planning on getting married. 

Well, we walk in and ask them how their Christmas was and before we even sit down "J" screams, "WE ARE ENGAGED!!" THEY ARE ENGAGED AND WE WERE TEACHING THE LAW OF CHASTITY THAT NIGHT! Holy chicken batman!

Well, we gave the lesson and it went really well. We asked if they would live it and they said they would get back to us on that one. We came over two days later and "J" says,

"We are going to be chaste, but "C" is not moving out." 

Looks like the baby brother managed to send the north, south.

We both look at each other and then she says, 

"BUT we have decided to get legally married before the 18th so i can still get baptized because I have prayed about it and I am suppose to be baptized on the 18th!"

I literally almost peed my pants! I couldn't believe it! They came to church yesterday and loved it.

I think "Santa" made it to the Sisters apartment

Then we taught word of wisdom, another concern, because they both smoke and drink coffee, but they said at the new year they are quitting. Thanks to the help of the Lord, because "J" has been praying, she has already gone from 2 packs a day to half a pack.....WHAT?!?!?! GOSH the Lord is soooo cool! She is a little worried about the coffee but says they are gonna throw it all out and give it up to the Lord and she will be baptized, gosh darn it!


You hear stories about the golden investigator, but we really thought they were a myth but by golly, they exist!

Now, I know as well as many of you reading this that there are going to be things thwarting these Sister missionaries and their investigator as she gets closer to her baptism date.  Please send your prayers and love their way, especially for this sister and her family as they take this great step. 

Sharing the "Book of Normen"

Kristen has been doing well, working hard with the members in and around Ringgold. She has truly come to love them! Here is a little experience with one of the young members in Ringgold and some pictures from the seminary teacher in Chattanooga and the Brainerd Ward Christmas party!



....they have a 9-yr old named "A". She and this friend at school read books together. They just finished a chapter book and it was "A"'s turn to pick the book for them to read together so she picked the Book of Mormon. 
So apparently her little friend text her the night before school and said,


"Dont forget to bring the Book of Normen tomorrow."

 SO CUTE! We died of cuteness when her Mom texted that to us.

 Sadly we asked "A" how it went yesterday at church and she said it was good, until her friend showed her grandma what book they were reading and her grandma took it from her and said she couldn't read it. "A" looked a little heart broken, but we told her she planted a seed and helped share the gospel and that is so awesome! She does more than I know most adults do!