This week we have been working really hard; however, we have not had any lessons with investigators. It has been heartbreaking especially since we have been doing our best and are being obedient to all of the mission rules. Our investigator, Sharon, dropped us. When a door closes another door opens. Glenn, who is a married to a less-active member, came to church yesterday! It was wonderful because we have been praying fervently for what to do to help him in gaining a desire to truly know Christ and let Him help. The talks in sacrament were amazing! They were all about Jesus Christ and how the Atonement can transform us. Afterwards Glenn said that he wants to bring his wife to church! It is so great. His wife is amazing and has a very strong testimony but she is not making church a priority. I cannot wait for them to change for the better and be married for time and all eternity.
On Saturday we got into contact with a potential investigator that we have been trying to meet since we got into the area. Her name is Kayla. It was so great. We were at the end of the night and were praying for inspiration on where we needed to go (we had exhausted all of our backups) and we felt that we needed to try her. When we got there she said that she didn’t have any time to talk to us because she was getting ready to leave to help her parents. We asked her if everything was okay and she said that she is having a difficult time adjusting to the American culture. Her teenage daughters have become rebellious. We said that if she had ten minutes we could share some scriptures that would be of benefit to her and her family. She said that she really needed to go but could offer us five minutes! It was wonderful! We just read some of 1 Nephi 1:1-12 with her (emphasizing verses 1, 3, 8, and 12) and comparing it to her family and her children. We taught her about the Spirit and how having it could truly bless her with learning how to help her children without distancing them from her. It was so amazing. Her parents called her so she had to leave without us getting a chance to pray with her but she gave us a day and time for a return appointment. This is great because we are learning how to teach simply, clearly, and effectively and Kayla said that these lessons will have to be short (like 10-15 minutes). This is going to be a great adventure!
Because we have not had teaching appointments with investigators and Sister Hansen still needs to be trained we came up with the bright idea, thanks to the ‘Finding Ideas’ in the front of our planner, to teach the members! This transfer has been dedicated to teaching the members the missionary lessons. We put a little spin on it and have the members ‘role play’ as anyone that they have been thinking about sharing the gospel with. At first, it’s awkward but by the end of the lesson the family is into it and actually receives revelation! No referrals have come from it yet but the members have been able to share something with each of these people that they role play as. The members have also become excited about missionary work. We look forward to following up next week and teach even more and start reaping the rewards of our labor.
Heavenly Father has really blessed me this week. Although, our numbers have been low and we haven’t had a “real lesson” this week. We have been able to strengthen people and prepare them to make covenants with God and help the members get excited about this work.
In my personal study I have been studying the Restoration and Endure to the End. I came across ‘Conversion’ in the Bible Dictionary. I have been deciphering it and focusing on two parts:
“Denotes changing one’s views, in a conscious acceptance of the will of God” and “Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing.” I have mainly focused on ‘acceptance’ and ‘many.’ I am definitely NOT converted yet. I have not given up my will. Why do we do that? Why is it so hard to just let go? I am working on that and I am sure that I will have to continue working on it FOREVER. Conversion does not come until we have MANY trials. I don’t know how many is many but I am sure that I haven’t reached it yet.
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