We
met many wonderful people this week, like a man named Larry. We were
knocking on this street one morning and we both got this feeling that
it's not where we were supposed to be. So we went to a different road we
had been wanting to go to and behind one of the first doors we knocked
on was Larry. He just recently lost his wife and is searching for
comfort, and it turns out that some of his wife's family are members of
our ward and actually invited his to attend church recently. We are
meeting with him again later this week which surprised his family, but
it is incredible how God prepares people in ways we don't expect.
We
also met a woman who was out on her porch who met missionaries and read
from the Book of Mormon about 30 years ago! How incredible is that,
especially since she would like to meet with us.
We
met a man recently who we first had contact with when we were walking
down this road and he stopped to make sure our car wasn't broken down or
something. Then we saw him again later and actually got to talk with
him about the gospel and it was really cool. The funniest part though
is when the next day we met this woman who asked us where we had been
yesterday morning, when we told her she informed us that we had met her
son! They are not ready yet, but I know that God needed us to have
contact with that family for some reason.
Last
night we were about to go in for the night and before we did we felt we
needed to go talk to a woman sitting out on her porch. She told us how
her and her mother have been looking for a church to go to. Then she
said she wanted to get baptized and since she doesn't have an extensive
background in religion she wants to have someone that will start basic
and teach her. Ma'am that's why we are here! It was so incredible.
One
of the coolest things was meeting James. We were just walking down the
street and he was sitting on the porch. We waved and instead of keeping
on to where we were going, we stopped and I am so glad we did. He doesn't
have a knowledge of God being his Father, he experiences a lot of
emotional turmoil and simply lacks hope in his life. We are just in the
beginning of his journey, but we have already seen him feel the spirit
and the love of his Father, feel the power of the Book of Mormon, and
start to find those glimmers of hope. I love being a missionary!
I
want to leave you with my testimony that we have a loving Heavenly
Father who has a very specific plan for each of us. That simple but
profound truth is what kept me moving forward this week. He knows us
individually and perfectly and desires for us to know Him too. I am
grateful for prayer and the peace it brings, that it is a way we can
feel of His love. If there is anything you are struggling with, need
answers for, or just need to know that someone is there for you, I would
advise you to get on your knees and offer a heartfelt prayer prayer. I
promise that as we humbly listen He will always answer.
I love you all, just keep smiling!
