We
started off this week awesome with a party for Sister Thompson. It was
her birthday this week and the ward and all our friends pitched in and
planned a surprise party for her. It turned out simply lovely and she
definitely deserves it. She is the most selfless person I have ever met
and would give everything she had for those she loves, it was so
wonderful to see something that was all about her for once. At one point
during the night she says "I don't need all of this, I have amazing
friends. What more could a girl need?" Such a great perspective, so much
humility and so much love. I hope to grow up to be like Sister Thompson
:)
We
had an awesome week working with members! That is how the REAL
missionary work happens. First, we received a referral and all it had
was a phone number. It turns out that there was a stake conference
recently and everyone attending was invited to think about the people
they love most, who they would like to see sitting beside them and have
the blessing of having the gospel in their lives. They were invited to
send that persons name and their contact information to the missionaries.
This was one of those referrals. It was amazing how when we first
called this man he actually hung up on us. But when we texted him,
explaining our purpose and that we were only calling him because his
friend had asked us to, he said he would call us later that evening.
And he did! We had a great conversation and he expressed interest in
coming to church! The only reason he opened up to us and even agreed to
talk to us was because we used his friend's name. Because of the respect
he has for his friend and the love that his friend showed by referring
him, he was motivated to listen. That is just so amazing to me. Think of
the number of our friends that we can help have an opportunity to hear
the gospel by simply allowing the missionaries to use our names when
contacting them?
This
week we also had a Family Home Evening lesson with a family in our
ward. It was so much fun to be with them and we asked if we could come
again, they said yes. We then asked if next time they would invite a
friend to come participate as well, again they agreed. Now, if simply
allowing the missionaries to use your name when contacting one of your
friends can open so many doors, image the good that can be done when you
personally invite your friends to the missionaries!
It does so much good. The difference you can make is insane.
I
would like to share with you these scriptures that come from Alma 26,
my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon. This is a man named Ammon
speaking who is an amazing missionary. The whole chapter is his
expression of the joy he feels because he was able to help his brethren,
the Lamanites, receive the gospel and become converted to Christ.
"And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us? Can ye tell?
Behold,
I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness,
yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought
to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which
hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the
hands of God to bring about this great work"
The gospel is the greatest gift I have received in my life. It has brought
me so much peace and joy in my life, it has helped me know where I can
find hope and direction and has helped me better understand who I truly
am. I know that those blessings are universal. Sharing the gospel can
really just be giving the greatest gift ever to the people we love most.
I know that as we all make the conscious decision to open our mouths, to
share what we know to be true and be instruments in God's hands, we can
experience that same joy that Ammon describes.
I hope you all ponder on that and on what you can do to help those you love :) Have a great week and just keep smiling!
