So it snowed. We looked out the
window to see a light dusting this morning when we woke up, but now there's
quite a bit more. I was just thinking to myself last night that I've made it
through a large part of the winter and have not frozen completely yet, but then
look what turns up!
It's been a good week. We've been
fairly busy with seeing members, less-actives, and a few investigators. We had
a really good experience with a less-active the other day. Last Sunday we had
asked the relief society president if she knew any less active sisters we could
go visit. She suggested Jean. We called by her house the other say and were let
in. We started with basic questions about her day and she gave us one word
answers and wouldn't seem to look at us. The feeling was a bit hostile and we
were wondering if she was going to kick us out. She then started telling us how
she doesn't believe in the plan of salvation and how she doesn't believe in the
Book of Mormon. She argued many points and we just let her ramble for a bit.
(she's a bit elderly). Finally I just asked, "Why did you even get
baptised?" (Sometimes I ask very blunt questions). She looked a bit taken
aback. She sat there for a minute and then said, "Because I knew it was
the right thing to do." She then proceeded to tell us how she wanted to be
baptised, but then as she got older she experienced more things, and grew in
intelligence, but she knows she did the right thing in being baptised, but
because she's become more intellectual and doesn't know what to think. I just
said, "Intelligence is an an amazing thing. The knowledge we gain in life
is included in the few things we can take with us when we leave this earth.
But, it's also a delicate thing. We can either choose to let us draw us away
from our Heavenly Father or we can let it lead us closer to Him. Which way do
you feel you've gone?" She paused. Thought. Then quietly said, "I
haven't thought of Heavenly Father in a long time. I don't think I thought of
Him once when I was in the darkest part of my life." I then said,
"Jean, our Heavenly Father loves us so much. In our darkest times, Satan
doesn't want us to find comfort through our Heavenly Father. He will try
everything he can to keep our thoughts from God. I know that in dark times, you
can feel so very alone, but I also know that as we look to our Father in
heaven, He can help lighten the darkness and help us with the burdens we
carry." As I spoke she turned down the television. She looked at me and
said, "It's often said, the loudest voice will be heard"... I thought
she was going to tell me off for speaking too quietly.... "You don't have
to speak loud, you speak powerfully. You're right. I know you're right. Thank
you for saying that. You speak with such power. You're not the loudest, but I
definitely heard you and I know what you just said is true. I do need to think
of Heavenly Father more." We left a house where the Spirit was very
strong. We entered to hostility and left completely awed at what happened.
Sister Fortuna looked at me and said, "I'm glad you knew what to say,
because I had no idea." To be honest, at the time, I couldn't really
remember what I said. I know the Spirit does work through us to touch others.
I'm glad that I am making some
difference here. It really brightens my day when people tell me I'm different
from other missionaries. we had a lovely talk with a sister in the ward the
other day. We chatted for quite a while and she said that she's glad that I've
come and brought a balance into this companionship. She said she was worried
about Sister Fortuna for a while because she kept being with companions that
seemed to have such strong personalities that Sister Fortuna was kind of
getting shoved to the back. This Sister said that we seem to have found a good
balance and get along. She said she likes me, which apparently can sometimes be
an uncommon thing from some of the things she said. We were getting dropped off
and Sister Fortuna got out of the car and the sister turned to me and said,
"Thank you for bringing normalcy back into the Oldham ward." I don't
know, it made me feel good that she feels like I'll get along with the members.
We have interviews with President
tomorrow. I'll try to get the ecclesiastical endorsement printed off and bring
it to that. I'll get started on the other things that need to be done. I'm
still trying to make sense of the emails.
I hope things are going well, and,
mom, your kitchen turns out to be everything you want it to be.
Hailey, I got the pictures you sent.
Thank you! Oh, and Happy late Anniversary!
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