All of a sudden there
is so much time outside of lessons. Second ward needs more investigators. We've
gone tracking, but it’s been for the most part unproductive. The best and most
receptive and prepared investigators are the ones we meet through
members.
I was reflecting while
writing in my journal last
night and realized how blessed our companionship and the work in the second ward was that day. There
were many miracles. Here are some
1. An investigator who
turned down our baptismal invitation came to church and got to hear many
testimonies (it being fast Sunday). She is 16 and came with her friend
Laurel. For our dinner message that evening to a family we told them a little
bit about Becca and asked them to keep her in their
prayers. WE have seen the power of member prayers and we testified to them of
this truth. Later that night we went to a baptism for four girls in the ward. A few minutes in we saw Becca and her friend Laurel
sitting on the other side of the room!
She really
enjoyed the experience. It was great to have her hear from others, not just us,
how important baptism and the gift of the holy ghost really are. The
talks, geared toward the four young girls, we're taught simply and powerfully.
We talked to Becca after and she enjoyed the experience.
2. Jessy bore his
testimony!! He will be getting baptized on the 31 of August. He reads
between every lesson (he reads everyday) and he has embrace the gospel so
humbly and sincerely. In our
last lesson we invited him to bare his testimony on fast Sunday. We always
gauge the success of our lesson with this question, "Did we increase their
faith?" The invitation is a way they can act on that faith. Everyone in the lesson was shocked, Sister
Toliver, his fellowshiper, and my companion, were all taken off guard (let's
not fail to mention Jessy.."
Sunday came
and he walked up to the stand. It was wonderful. He talked about how he
met with us and didn’t want to read at first. That he didn't even want to meet
with us but his member friends persisted. "Since then I have had many
spiritual experiences with the Book of Mormon. It is God talking to me. I know
the Book of Mormon is true, and I know the church of Jesus Christ of latter day
saints is true." It was so great to see how happy he was! It was also
wonderful for him to share his testimony about the book of Mormon because two
other investigators were at Church! Jessy's faith no doubt will and already has
strengthened those around him.
3. We got to meet with
the Bishop Saturday and he gave us some names to go visit. It was
great to see his trust in us. In my setting apart blessing it says
"As you work hard seek to gain the trust of priesthood leaders, they will
see you're efforts and give you names of people to see. Always follow their
instruction and meet with those people." I didn't even realize until the
end of the meeting that that moment had been prophesied of 2 months before. I
am excited to go meet these families! The bishop invited sister Dixon to bear
her testimony first on fast Sunday. It is a blessing that the leaders and
ward support us and see our hard work. Sister Toliver in her testimony said, "It is a
privileged to be invited to missionary lessons, and if you haven't been
invited- invite yourself." We've been blessed to have great encouraging
things about our missionary efforts said over the pulpit. I rejoice, not in the pleasure of receiving
"credit" or personal recognition, but I rejoice because our good is
seen by others who admonish the members and ward to help us. And we know the
more help from the members we revive the quicker and more successful we will be
able to go about the work of God!!
4. A father we found
last week prayed in front of
his children for the first time in a
long time. He is searching for a church to take his family to. It was a very
nice visit and we bore testimony about the Book of Mormon!
5. LAST BUT NOT LEAST.
a Potential investigator we've tried and failed to catch at home come to
church! She called her Friend Tohne Lutz and invited herself to church. After
sacrament meeting we went up to talk to her, she was so sweet and thanks us for
our testimonies, "I cried! It was lovely there's a lot I don't know but I
like your church." "Let's start teaching you then." We said.
"Yes!" smiles were everywhere. She stayed for final two hours of
church, she asked if she could keep the gospel principles book. And just by
looking at her you could see how much she enjoyed relief society. The lesson
was focused on this sentence, "The Gospel is perfect, people are
not." It was wonderful and a great way to fortify us from taking offence
and being aware of not becoming the offender. WE will be meeting with her this
week! She is a brand new investigator and she is willing to learn and ready.
God truly does
prepare people. Sometimes you can't see it right away. It says in preach my gospel to , "help
others revive YOU so they can receive the restored gospel." that helps
console me when I walk away from someone who rejects our message, "They
aren't ready" I say in my
heart, and I can see it. But it also gives me the motivation and perspective
that It may come slowly for some. But as I am myself, Sister Snow, and Sister Dixon is herself- more so
our best selves, others will see what we have and come to desire it.
I've been starting to
say one thing I’m grateful for every time a door goes unanswered. The best part
is knowing there will be a window someplace else.
God really does have
his hand in ALL of our lives.
I feel so blessed that my eyes have been open to truly see that manifest in not only my life, but the lives of
others. WE have great potential for good and righteous influence.
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