Transfers
are once again in the air and I am excited for change. I seem to thrive on
change. which is funny because I used to utterly resist it. I am excited to
jump into another ward. I will be going to Simi Valley 5th ward. Tie to delete
my short term memory full of names and streets and make room for new people,
places, and things. a few months after leaving someplace it's interesting to
see who the people remember and what lessons and why etc. This was been a
wonderful place to serve. I have seen many miracles in this part of the world and
many Christ like acts; by members and nonmembers alike.
we had amazing lesson
with a woman named debbie this week, and it was our first return appointment.
we taught her the restoration and not the restoration. she asked if there were
any prophets that have come true in the book of Mormon, or from any of the
writing of Joseph smith, " you know how the bible talks about events that
actually happen, and you can learn about it from history too, are there things
like that?" she was asking for proof. my mind at first was racing,
thinking about different prophesies in the book of Mormon about itself or about
the apostasy. then I thought of Joesph smiths prophesy of the civil war
starting in south Carolina in section 87.
what happened next was
a faith building and faith confirming experience. first explained that although
those "proofs" are wonderful and add to the miraculous power of god,
they are not the foundation that our conviction is built upon, but rather it is
applying the doctrine and the confirmation of the spirit we receive telling us
these things are true. "we could show you places where prophesies were
made and brought to pass, but it wouldn't help you come to know in the same way
you have about the bible, that the book of Mormon is the word of god. we don't
want to give you meat before milk." she understood perfectly. we didn't
feel obligated to answer every question and she understood our purpose and how
she can come to know the truthfulness of this message. it was a great learning
experience for me. just because I HAVE the answer or PROOF or RETORT doesn't
mean I am to use it. this is a gospel of faith. if Christ can be raised from
the dead, if he can walk on water, I don't need scientific proof of the reality
of his prophets and interactions with men. the truth is revealed to me by the
spirit. it can be felt, it can be heard.
we had marvelous
improvement with all three less actives we saw yesterday evening, one couple
saying they want us to hold them accountable that it will help them move along.
Another woman (Rosa) we meet with has a nonmember husband. we previously have
met outside, but her husband let us come in and he even listened to the
message. the third less actives are the cabreras. the bishop came with us and
we talked about the P.O.S and the temple. they now have a goal to go back
to the temple. the wife was smiling so brightly as if she had been waiting for
someone to come tell her to go. they both have busy schedules but are off on
Wednesdays which is the day the temple bus goes down to LA.
We can expect miracles
as we live righteously and seek the Lord's will. "Valiantly follow the
promptings you receive" as it says in preach my gospel. he wants us to
help and serve on another. as we do so we feel true joy and in the process
become a little more like him.
I love the savior, he
is evidence of God's love for us. John 3:16
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