Dear Family,
We just met President and Sister Burt! They are so very much from Utah. And I love them. We had companionship interviews with them as well as the Assistants (which was new, but also good) and I felt the Spirit so strong with them. They are already taking this mission in new directions, but good ones. Not going to lie there are some fears, but I really trust God and I know I felt the Spirit around them.
I learned something from church yesterday that I wanted to share with all of you. If an investigator comes to church, no matter what is said, I know that something that is said or heard or felt at church will be what they need to hear. I have confidence that if they stay for the full three hours, the questions of their souls will be answered and they will be happy they came. They do not regret the decision they made to come to church. That is something I learned yesterday that applies to me too. There may always be something questionable that is said, but if I keep a positive attitude, I always walk away happy I came because the church is from God. It is run by imperfect people. They are all God has had to deal with except for Jesus Christ, as Elder Holland has taught us, "but He deals with it and so should we." Yesterday in the very last few minutes of the last hour of Relief Society, I got to witness our bishop share an incredibly powerful testimony that brought every single person in the room to tears. And because our investigator (Devin) stayed until the very end, she got to hear that and so did I. So. From now on, I will never be afraid to invite my investigators to fast and testimony meetings because I know God is in charge.
Sister Kunz showed me how to change a tire yesterday. Kind of. But the jack slipped. And the car should have landed on her but she is protected so it didn't. Yesterday we were driving half an hour away to a town called Chemainus before going to Nanaimo to spend the night. When we pulled out of our driveway the front passenger tire started to make a horrible squealing sound. We pulled over, called a member in Chemainus that is a mechanic and he seemed hesitant but thought we could make it there on some back roads. Not so. We ended up parked five houses down from a family we've been trying to see forever but have been avoiding us. :) We were parked on a hill and the jack slipped when we took the parking break off (after the tire was removed) and hit the asphalt enough to tear it up a little. Anyways this does not direct your thoughts to the Savior so I'll digress, but this man just happened to have all of the tools necessary to help us. An hour and a half later we were back on the road. :) He kept saying, you planned this! You thought you'd just break down right in front of us and then I'd get baptized." We just smiled and told him, "No, God planned this." And by the look in his face, he knew that too. :) What made me so happy is that the works of God cannot be frustrated. It's like when Eve took the fruit. Satan thought he had won. But it was all part of God's bigger plan. Satan probably thought Ha ha ha I will stop these sisters from getting to Chemainus and from getting their meeting in the morning. Nope. God had a bigger plan that Satan could not predict. So when it seems like there are a lot of obstacles being placed in your path, just know that the works of God cannot be frustrated. Ever. And He always has a bigger plan.
My testimony of the Priesthood grew AGAIN this week. I got a stomach flu on Thursday evening and part of Friday which was so frustrating. But it taught me a lot. I kind of had started to feel like I might be going through the motions or something. But as soon as I was so sick I could barely work, (but still could not accept going inside) I knew that I was not going through the motions. I love missionary work. I was so frustrated and disappointed and all of those things! I decided to get a Priesthood blessing, but I felt so incredibly ill that I figured I might not be healed right away. But that was not true. I was blessed that my health would return speedily, and that I would return to my usual vigor. He also blessed me that my testimony would grow. And it did! In a matter of a few moments. I ran from the house to the car and was so happy to get back to work. I love missionary work and I love God. He really answered my doubts by this experience.
We met an investigator named Irma last week that started praying for the first time in her life. We met with her only a few days after she started to pray and after we asked her what she thought of it she said in her own words, "I feel like it is already changing me. I can feel Him and this morning I woke up and really feel like I need to quit smoking." We asked her if she has ever wanted to quit before and she said no. What a miracle! God is a god of miracles. And He hears and answers our prayers. From the witnesses of two people that we've taught this week (not including Sarah from last week) that have never prayed before in their lives, it will change you. (And still does even if you'd prayed for your whole life.) And it will be a positive experience. Just prove Him! Try it out. :)
That's all for this week.
Love you all!
Sister Thomson
PS. President Burt called Sister Kunz and me "seasoned missionaries." It was pretty exciting.
