Spiritual: I felt the spirit speak through me this week as we were talking
to a man along the Erie canal. He had obviously had a lot of bad experiences
with corrupt religious leadership in his past years and was talking to us
about how bad organized religion was. He was polite the whole time and I
felt so bad for him, because I wanted him to understand the divine role that
leadership has in our church: that there is a prophet that God called and
that we are promised he will never lead us astray. We listened for a while
and I thought - wow, I have no idea how to help this man, but I opened my
mouth and bore my testimony about prophets and the priesthood and the
restoration. It was one of those moments that I absolutely knew the spirit
spoke through me. I loved it. I am grateful that in my time of not knowing
what to do, heavenly father would help me out so I could in turn help one of
his children.
I feel like this week was one of the most uplifting spiritually of my
mission so far. Elder Nash of the 70 came and spoke. It was incredible. It
focused a lot on what our purpose is, and how people are not able to fully
use the atonement without baptism. It helped me realize that I am really
lacking in my approach to teaching people about baptism and being stronger
about inviting.
We also had a site meeting at the temple last night with the Temple
president - that was great. But he chose an odd thing to talk about to
missionaries I thought - he said Sister Cannon of the general presidency
years ago told him the most important thing to teach young women is how to
be successfully single, because temple marriage should be the only option,
and it will be impossible for all sisters to be married in this life. It was
a good thought, but kind of random to talk to missionaries about...
As we sat there waiting though, I looked around at all these people I loved:
the site sisters and the senior couples. I was struck with how much I loved
them and felt like seeing them there in the temple was a little bit like
what the celestial kingdom must feel like. I also was so grateful to be
serving in this very unique mission with these incredible people.
We weren't able to teach anyone this week, but hopefully I will have great
news about some investigators next week!
Funny: Sister Gonzalez went on top of Hill Cumorah for our companionship
study the other day and were surprised when we got up there to discover
someone had driven to see the monument. And by that I mean they drove their
car as close to it as possible down the walk way path. The only way they
could get closer is if the drove down the staircase. We decided to go help
them back up and as we walked over there these 3 older women turned to look
at us and said, "we probably shouldn't be parked here." We couldn't help but
laugh and say probably not, but we offered to help them back up. The woman
asked if 'Y'all are Mormons?' They were three sisters from Dallas Texas who had decided to drive from Baltimore where one was on business to see the sites. They were pretty funny women.
Then came the backing up part.
I'm not sure who taught them to drive. I think probably no one. It was
great. We stood behind and motioned to go straight and they would turn their
car. We would then motion for them to go left and they would go right and
vice versa. Sister G. and I ended up moving the benches, because they
couldn't figure out how to get their car to go the right way, and we
thought the site supervisor would be less than pleased if we just
allowed the benches to be mauled by 3 Texan ladies. Eventually Sister
Gonzalez had to go up and talk the driver through it, including holding onto
the steering wheel and pulling it the direction it needed to go.
It took 15 minutes for them to get down the very short pathway. :)
Random: I met uncle Lynn's mission companion in New Zealand this week.
He is Australian and he and his wife came to see the sites. He looked at my
tag and said "I had a companion named Elder L. 30 years ago from Idaho"
and when he said New Zealand I knew it was Lynn. His name is Kevin Johnson.
He gave me his email address to give to Lynn, but I left it at my apartment
today, so I will try to tell you next week. I love small world experiences.
They happen almost everyday here :)
Well I think that's enough for this week. It's hard to believe this transfer
is more than half over. I have really loved it!
I love you all. Thanks for your prayers and support.
love,
Sister A
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