Mi querida familia,
We've had a bitter sweet week up here in Clinton. A missionary that we all knew and loved went home early (ask Dad if you have questions, I don't want to go too much into it on this email) But at the start of the week, many members of our district were feeling very down. We know that the adversary was trying to discourage us. Elder Hirschi and I resolved not to let this event slow us down so we went out and worked. We talked with people. We prayed with them. We worked. I found that the more I worked and focused on the Lord's work,the more happier I felt even though we had this trial going on.
The natural instinct for us as human beings is to turn inward when we face adversity. But...we need to realize that the best remedy for adversity is just the opposite of what we think. We must turn outwards and worry about other people. We must turn outwards and rely on the Lord. That's what Christ taught us. The more charity we have the more we can overcome hard situations. I've felt the Lord strengthen our companionship this week...and likewise we've witnessed quite a miracle!
We are teaching a mother and a son right now: Cindy and Armando. We love them so much! This week we met with Armando and he opened up saying that he'd recieved an anwser about the Book of Mormon...HE KNOWS ITS TRUE! He knows that what we are teaching is true. We were able to set a baptismal date for July 27 and we are excited to see him progress.
LAter that week we had another lesson with Cindy and Armando...but this time we had Sister Hansen (the relief society president) come with us. Again we had a great lesson on the improtance of obedience and the word of Wisdom. It turns out that Armando and Cindy have hard time accepting the need to give up tea. Sister Hansen is a convert and she remembers having to give up sweet tea so her testimony really helped break the barrier. We then challenged Armando to pray about whether or not he needed to give up tea.
Now thorughout this experience, we were more focused on Armando. We knew that Cindy was taking a little longer, for the whole week she seemed hesitant on whether or not she knew this church was true.
But then yesterday...she came to church for the second week in a row! She stayed for all three hours this time. I was talking with her and she starting telling me about how she had been praying for the past two nights straight...sincerely asking if what we were teaching was true. SHE RECIEVED AN ANSWER!!! She expalained because of prayer she felt like she needed to come to church. She is even willing to give up tea!
I was speechless!!! I'd rarely seen people receive such sure answers to their prayers while on my mission (except for myself). It is such a great feeling to have when you see the Spirit working with those that we love and care about. I guess that's how parents feel when they see their children gain testimonies for themselves.
And on top of that, Cindy even brought her daughter to church as well (who is about 17 or so). The daughter actually knows one of the members. She also stayed for the full three hours. I'd met the daughter during the week and she was very closed minded to what we were teaching, but now i think she might be more open.
The Spirit is working with the people of Western Oklahoma! I am so excited to see this family progress.
Another quick miracle: We are teaching a hispanic family, and this week we met with the mom. Even though her husband and son were gone we felt like we should share a message about faith. We did so and it went really well. Turns out this lady has an aunt in Mexico who converted to the Church. She was talking with her aunt and her aunt encouraged her to keep listening to us!!! Woah!
The spirit of a God like a fire is burning!!! Now we just need to be diligent to keep it burning. We need to work with the members more and get them involved. The thing with Cindy and Armando is that they have great member support right now. Armando went to Young Men's. cindy has Sister Hansen, and because of these members they feel comfortable at church and are progressing.
Everyone is needed for the missionary work to move forward!
I love you all. I'm sorry I don't get to write each of you inddvidually more often. Life is busy, busy, busy.
Que dios les bendiga!! Hasta la proxima semana.
No comments:
Post a Comment