It's
been a great week! When we got called to be sister training leaders together we
decided that it would be good to have a meeting with just the sisters from our
zone. We asked President and he loved the idea so that happened this week.
My
companion and I prayed about what we should talk to the sisters about and we
both felt like we should share with them Sister Holland's quote that I shared a
few weeks ago and from PMG chapter one. Also, that we should share our
experiences with it. They received it really well. Several of them told us
after that it was exactly what they needed, which made me feel a lot better
cause I was worried I was just doing it because I liked it and that it wouldn't
mean anything to them.
Also,
Sister Lindsey came down for it and she gave some closing remarks that ended
the meeting perfectly. She is incredible. Oh and we decided, since it was a
sister's meeting, we should provide lunch for them so we made them pumpkin soup
and biscuits (which are called scones here.) It was a great way to bond
together as sisters. God is so good. He worked out everything so perfectly for
us.
Then
we went on exchanges and I was here in Halls Head with Sister F and we had so
many miracles! We found two AMAZING new investigators. One of which has committed
to be baptized and they both came to church! The one who committed to be
baptized was a referral from his mum. We went over and in an effort to get to
know him I asked him what he was doing, as in with his life, and he said,
"well I just want to get baptized." Of course as a missionary that is
music to our ears. I thought I was dreaming! I was so excited! I tried to not
freak out too much, but we scheduled for him to be baptized at the end of the
month. We're soo excited! God is so good to us.
We
also saw progression in some of our investigators that have been really
struggling lately. It was so good. Ah! Those are the days you live for as a missionary!
Then
this week I was reading a talk by Elder Callister called “Becoming a Consecrated Missionary” because it's something I am
still really striving to become and the first section talked about how you have
to talk to EVERYONE. He talked about D&C 24:12 which I've heard a million
times, but he pointed out that the Savior commanded that we open our mouths at
all times and that He has promised us that if we do that He will "give us
strength such as is not known to men." umm Hallo! I want that. I am so
often making excuses for why I shouldn't talk to someone and honestly, they're
pretty legit excuses.
Then I
read this,
"Sometimes we have
missionaries who are so worried about offending people that in the process they
never save them!"
Christ
didn't say it wouldn't be awkward or that everyone would respond well He just
said that we need to do it and He will bless us.
I
wasn't sure how I was going to do this and then I read this,
"Sometimes we just have to
square our shoulders and do it. There is no magic pill that makes us
courageous, no passage of time that strengthens us, no memorized approach that
emboldens us. We are left only with the compelling counsel of king Benjamin:
'And now if ye believe these things see that you do them.'"
And
one last quote from the talk,
"The reason it is so
important to open our mouths is that every time we do so we exercise faith and
every time we exercise faith we invite miracles."
I NEED
those miracles and so do the people of Western Australia. So I committed to
Heavenly Father to do it and I have done it! I really have talked to and given
a pass along card, at the very least, to every person I have seen since then!
It has been so liberating! I should have started this sooner! It feels so good
and it's getting less and less awkward which is great! And I can come home
feeling satisfied that I really did my best.
Sunday
was amazing. Church is always a time to rejuvenate for the next week. I have
never appreciated church so much until I came on my mission. It's a place where
the revelation can flow if we come ready and willing to listen.
Then
we had a relief society fireside for our ward and our investigator went so
we got to go! It was amazing. The main speaker talked about charity, which is
like my favorite topic, but he spoke about it in a way I had never heard of
before. He talked about how at the end of the day true charity really is ALL
that matters. For example, he said we won't need things like the gift of
healing in heaven. It just put it into perspective. I've been feeling bad that
I'm not an amazing teacher, but really that's not what matters at the end of
the day. It's the charity that I feel for the people that I'm teaching. Not
that I don't need to continually improve my teaching. That matters too, but I
don't need to feel bad that my number one focus has been charity. I felt God
confirming to me that He is pleased with that as my main focus on my mission. I
love those moments when you can feel His approval. It's like a flood of relief
comes over your whole body.
I
still have so much to improve on, but all that matters is that I'm getting a
little bit better each day. I can't believe that I ever thought about NOT
coming on a mission. I needed this refiner’s fire badly. I want to let it
change me completely and forever. I thank Heavenly Father every day for the opportunity
and privilege of being a full time missionary. It's hard, but so worth
it.
I
can't wait for Daver to go. I keep thinking about what an incredible missionary
he will be. I was just telling my companion last night as we went to bed how
sometimes I wish that I could be serving with all of my siblings and my
parents. I draw from your examples of missionary service everyday. One time the
seminary president when he found out who my family was said that I had big
shoes to fill. I feel that way now. I have had a legacy of not just
missionaries go before me, but consecrated missionaries and you better believe
that I'm not going break that chain. I think of John Tanner a lot and how consecrated he
was. I think about that when I feel like I am having a hard time doing that. I
remember that this is in my blood. I want to leave the kind of legacy that he
did.
One
last thought, last night as I was talking with a man he said that he believes
in God, but that he smokes and drinks and doesn't live the best life. He was
implying that our message couldn't be for him because he wasn't living right. I
felt an overwhelming love for him from Heavenly Father. I was able to testify
that our message isn't for the perfect. It's for the imperfect that want to
become better. The Atonement is for everyone, not just the people that were
fortunate enough to be born into good circumstances. That is the absolute best
part of missionary work, watching the Atonement change people.
I love
you all and I hope you make it a GREAT week!
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