Dear Family,
We had the best week ever. We really, really did. Except we had to walk everywhere for 2.5 days solid. And we didn't really have any lessons. We just had one. So we literally walked for at least nine hours each on Friday and Saturday. In dress shoes. And mowed a beast of a lawn on Friday for an hour and a half. But somehow, it really was the most incredible week. :) We were so blessed! . And my work ethic has increased so much in the past couple of days.
We doubled my record for friends at church yesterday! We had a family with 5 daughters all ages 8 and under sit next to us at church. I really had a hard time concentrating, because I was coloring for all the little girls so their mom could pay attention. Their mom, Miranda, has been reading the Book of Mormon with her 8-year-old daughter every night because Niveah asks her to, and Niveah kept asking her mom to come to church, so they did. :) While I was entertaining the girls though, the mom really had the chance to listen to what was being said. It was Stake Conference, and it was a Canada-wide broadcast with Elder Holland (!) and President Eyring. They left right before Elder Holland started speaking though, which was sad.
Devin also came to church again this Sunday. Last Sunday she went a different church that her friend invited her to... she didn't like it very much. :) Some of her friends have also been telling her that we're not a Christian church and this and that, and she found a website, etc. But she was still interested in meeting. Our lesson with her on Wednesday was a bit disappointing because she had been anti-ed a bit. She hadn't given up on us yet, but her faith and intent had definitely decreased. So Sunday was an absolute miracle. She loved Sister Burton's talk and she cried when Elder Holland spoke. Afterwards she said she was really happy she came and that it was crazy how they said something just for her. She said it was exactly what she needed. The Spirit really spoke to her. And she wants to fast this Sunday! We haven't even explained that to her yet. :)
We also ran into a lot of miracles because we were walking everywhere. We met a woman who's just moved here from Alberta because of a recent separation out walking her daughter who is excited to learn more. She had told her friend three days before that she really wanted to start going back to church.
The Elders in our ward were talking to some people on the street and ran into one of the investigators that we've only seen a couple of times and she had kind of dropped us, but they were able to set a baptismal date with her and she is really excited to read the Book of Mormon and come to church! We're seeing her on Tuesday.
We are also working with a girl who is turning 14 soon. We're trying to help her be ready to be baptized at the end of this month, because her uncle is flying in to baptize her then. It's kind of hard when her mom doesn't seem to have a firm belief in God yet. But we have faith in Sierra. :) And her mom. :)
I really love people. I love this work. Sometimes I'm surprised at how many people I really can love. I know my faith in Jesus Christ is increasing. I know we have been so blessed this week, and this transfer! I don't even know why. But I really love my mission. One of the prophetic priorities that Elder Ballard has asked every missionary in this area (Alaska, BC, Oregon, California, Washington, etc.) to do is to have a quality gospel conversation with at least 20 people every single day. Each missionary should be having at least 10 of these personally. We count how many each companionship has in this mission to make sure we're doing it. I know that's really where this starts. I really love talking to people. And eventually we find those souls who are ready and prepared to be baptized. And I love it. I know each missionary can't begin to imagine all of the miracles we're working and the effect we're making. I just don't know how I'll feel this much direction and purpose when I go home. Ha. I probably won't for awhile.
Anyways, I love you all. I know you are all being watched over and that God is with each of you. I know He has a plan for you, and that He's already prepared a way for each of the struggles you're facing. I know He's anxious to support you in all of you practical and personal challenges.
Sister Thomson
PS. Just following up......
"Brothers and sisters, can you imagine the impact if family and friends included things they are learning from their personal study of Preach My Gospel in their letters and emails to theirfull- time missionaries? Can you picture the blessings that will come to families when they know and understand better what their sons and daughters will be studying and teaching on their missions? Can you even begin to fathom the extraordinary outpouring of atoning grace that will be ours, individually and collectively, according to the Savior’s promise to all who bear testimony in the process of inviting souls to come unto Him—and then following up on those invitations?"
..... There are some pretty powerful statements there. :) I also learned last week that PMG was originally intended to be a tool for returned missionaries to stay active in the gospel after they got home. So write me something!
No comments:
Post a Comment