Week 9

Dear Family,
 
Sister Allen and I received a media referral about a month ago and tried to contact the couple, but the woman said her husband was very sick and would not let us go see them. We didn't know what to do, so we put it on the backburner for a while. On Friday evening, the media referral from a month earlier came to mind and we decided to drop by them with a Book of Mormon (which they requested) and then an invitation to a Christmas musical going on in the neighboring community. Their names were Karen and Patrick. We walked to the house on Saturday afternoon right as the woman was pulling up. We told her who we were and that we wanted to meet her. She told us she had just come back from the funeral home because her husband had died that morning. I don't remember too much about the encounter besides the Spirit that we felt talking to this woman. I am amazed at how much God loves and knows His children. He inspired us to go to her in the very hour of her need and we left her with a Book of Mormon, which I know will provide her the most comfort and direction she can find. She received it gladly and I am so grateful we were able to act on that inspiration (which didn't seem like anything huge at the time, but it was) and were able to help her feel the Spirit. We said a prayer with her and promised her that families can be together forever. She said, "I know." I don't know what has happened since then, but I know God loves her and cares about her individually.
 
This week was not a week of seeing the fruits of our labors. But something that gave me a lot of comfort was being reminded of some scriptures about the sons of Mosiah. I kept wondering why we were not seeing success when I know the work is hastening and that I'm going to be a successful missionary. I had begun to doubt myself and my effectiveness as a teacher and a missionary. But I read in Alma that the sons of Mosiah were blessed that they would bring many souls to their salvation, yet there was a time when their hearts were depressed, and they were about to turn back. That is exactly how I felt on Saturday morning. Not about to turn back, but just questioning myself as a missionary. This helped me so much! Just like me, the sons of Mosiah were promised they would bring many souls to the knowledge of their God and they would have success. But they too almost wanted to turn back. But they didn't. They had faith and they kept going. So that's what I'm going to do. It was just comforting to know that my missionary idols almost wanted to turn back, even when they knew they would have success! I realize this is probably only profound to me, but I don't really have much else to tell you all about this week. We did a lot of finding....
 I know this church is true and I love it so much.
 
Love you all,
Sister Thomson