This week has been
full of miracles. God is so good!
STORIES
--Tuesday we had 4 set
appointments throughout the day, which is huge for us! They were all with new
people, and we had planned to get 5 new investigators. Unfortunately...one by
one, they canceled on us or didn't show up. It was a bit discouraging, but we
pressed forward and kept working hard. We prayed over the map and decided to
knock this one street. We had been at it for a while, and were continually
improving our approach. At one door, we decided not to introduce ourselves and
instead say, "We are representatives of Jesus Christ." So we did, and
the lady says, "how did you know to come here? What brought you
here?" and we responded that we had prayed and felt good about that
street. She let us inside, called her daughter in, and we taught them the Restoration.
Turns out, Heather had received some news about her health a few days prior
that was not good, and she felt lost and alone. Then we showed up at the
perfect time, went in and taught her, and she felt at peace for the first time
since she received the news. We have since taught them 3 lessons, and committed
them to be baptized! They are extremely prepared, it is
unreal. Words can't express how blessed I feel to know that I was an instrument
in God's hands, reaching out to His daughter who needed help. This is what
makes missionary work all worth it! There is nothing greater than the joy that
comes from seeing people accept the gospel.
--We had Mission
Leadership Council this week, and trained at Zone Training Meeting on Friday.
The theme was, "Dominate chapter eight!" which in our
handbook--Preach My Gospel--is the 'Planning' chapter. I learned so much about
how to master goal setting and making plans. The ZTM was probably the best ZTM
I've yet to participate in. The spirit filled the room, we all were so pumped
and set a zone goal to find 100 new investigators this month. I love feeling
the spirit so strong like that, and it completely bonded and united our zone.
--I went on exchanges
with Sister Hatfield wayyy up in Castaic. It's the very North part of the
mission, out in the boonies (; We went finding a bunch and had many good
conversations with people. Sister Hatfield is a fantastic missionary, I love
having the opportunity to spend 24 hours with different sisters and learn from
them. So great!
LAUGHS
--We were walking into
our apartment one night, and saw 2 guys trying to carry a huge dresser up the
stairs. We offered to help them, and called the Spanish elders to do the actual
help haha. So the elders came and they got it up the three flights of stairs.
Woo! Then we're standing there and I patted the dresser and said "that is solid!!"
haha and one of the Spanish elders thought I had patted his companion's lower
back, and it was suuuper funny. The elder turned bright red, it was so awkward and
great. I love it.
LESSONS LEARNED
--I've learned a ton
about how God will either lead us to His prepared children, or lead them to us.
As we are striving to do the best we can and working hard, God will place those
people in our paths. Like with Heather and Natalia--though our appointments
canceling that day seemed like a bad thing to us with our limited perspective,
God had a better plan in mind and led us to where we really needed
to be. God has a perfect plan. It's just amazing to see Him orchestrating these
things, always mindful of His children. I'm learning to really trust in Him and
live the concept of, "Thy will, not mine, be done." As I'm giving up
my will, I'm a better instrument in His hands. That's the best blessing I could
ever receive, to be trusted by God in bringing His children to Him.
--As I mentioned, I'm
becoming a better planner and goal-setter! I'm learning the doctrine behind
setting goals. We have to back up our goals with plans, and use our goals to
motivate and inspire us. God doesn't expect us to hit our goals every time. In
fact, if we are always hitting our goals--we're doing it wrong! Again, our
goals should be a means of inspiring us to work harder and achieve more, not a
means of beating ourselves up when we don't achieve them. This concept I'm
constantly working to understand and apply not only applies in the mission, but
the rest of my life. Score!
That's that for this
week, it's just amazing. It's all too great. This gospel is true, and if you
haven't found that out for yourself, please do. It's simple, easy, and the
greatest thing you could ever do for yourself. If you already know, keep
learning--and share it. If we don't share the gospel with our friends and loved
ones, we aren't showing our appreciation to God for the precious knowledge He's
trusted us with. 1 Thessalonions 2:4, "But as we were allowed of God to be
put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God,
which trieth our hearts."
I love you all! Have a great week (:
I love you all! Have a great week (:
Two selfies... I skimped on pictures this week, sorry!
I had fun making pancakes. B and M!
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