letter.twelve 06.17.2013 "returned it running o'er"

Well this past week was the last of the transfer and it was AMAZING. I love being a missionary, especially here in Halls Head. I am nervous that my companion or I might get transferred. It would seem too good to be true for us to stay together here in Halls Head. It's amazing here. Not only is it gorgeous, but it's also full of incredible people who I have grown to love more than I thought possible. Honestly, it's very unlikely that I'll be moved, but I hope my companion stays too. But I know that I'll be where and with whoever is best for the Lord and furthering His work, which is what it's all about.

For the whole transfer my companion and I have worked so hard and both of us being the same "mission age", we are learning through trial and error what works and what just doesn't, ha. Because of that we have worried that it's because of us that a lot of our investigators have been dropping us or just not progressing in general. It's been a frustrating feeling to work so hard and see no fruits, but this week we finally saw the beginnings of the fruits.

We have been trying so hard to get investigators on date for baptism and to come to church. There are two of our investigators who have been trying so hard to come but Satan has been pulling out all the stops to get them to not come, but this week we were able to meet with them several times (which is a huge deal because the dad works 100 hour weeks) and on Saturday night we committed them both to baptism for the 29th of June!!! Woot woot! They are so ready. Chris is so awesome about the whole thing. Lucy (his daughter) is a little nervous, but she's feeling really good too! That was such a miracle!

Then right after that we went to an investigators house we found earlier this week and we committed her to baptism too! She is so keen! It's amazing. She's a 14 year old girl and I think we're the first people to help her feel love and appreciation on a deeper level than because she's a cute girl and even better than that she is beginning to have a relationship with God and to feel His love. She has already been reading the Book of Mormon and quitting smoking. She asks all the right questions. AHHH I love her so much. I have been filled with SOOO much love this week! Especially Saturday! After we set those three dates we called the zone leaders for a miracle report and they freaked. ha. Then they told us to call President and he was super excited too. I love that in this mission we're encouraged to share miracles like that. It helps keep the fire burning to share and to hear others. Three dates on one night just doesn't usually happen, but it's not because of us, tt's because God is so good and the Spirit can touch people's hearts. It's an amazing privilege to be along for the ride.

Also earlier that day we were tracting and we knocked on a door and the husband and wife started asking us perfect questions and asked us to come back today! They are GOLDEN! It was such a miracle. It's all because we prayed for a street. No, I didn't have some huge spiritual experience of feeling super strongly that we were supposed to go to Erica Street, it was more of a passing thought as I looked at the map, but we acted on it and that is why! We found two golden investigators! Being directed by the spirit feels so differently than I expected, but I'm learning to recognize it more and more.

Then Sunday came. We were sooo nervous that Chris and Lucy wouldn't be able to come. We were praying our hearts out. When they walked through the doors I nearly knocked Lucy over with my hug. I was so happy! I couldn't stop smiling all through church! Not only did they come, but it was amazing meetings all day. Nothing weird was talked about in Sacrament or Sunday school and let me tell you that is always a worry with investigators at church. Then we also had a less active that we have started working with come and her non member friend/our new investigator! We were singing "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" and when we sang the third verse that says, "Thrice from the stream he drained my cup, dipped and returned it running o'er; I drank and never thirsted more," it was hard for me to keep the tears in.  I really did feel that after I felt like my cup had been drained Sunday after Sunday to have it filled to overflowing was such a blessing. I know I couldn't have felt so happy and so blessed if we wouldn't have experienced those heartaches of the previous weeks. It was worth it. 

In Relief Society we talked about the temple and after Aniwa (our less active we're working with) turned to us and told us that that's what she wants. She wants the temple to be her goal. We're planning on going up to the temple with her this week to walk around the grounds and talk about her divine nature. That has become a favorite topic of mine. To be able to look into someone's eyes and tell them that you know that they have the potential to become a God or Goddess is a powerful experience. I have been able to see that in them. I can see a fraction of what it will be like for them and it makes my heart feel as if it's going to burst. I love it! Aniwa also told us how much she loved us and how the timing of us coming and the scriptures we have shared have been exactly what she has needed to hear and how she knows it's because God loves her and wants her to come back! "I feel so overwhelmed!" God has been so good to me this week and always. I love being able to watch people progress in their relationship with their Savior. It's beautiful and something that you can't put into words.