One transfer completed already! That is so crazy to me how fast
time has flown by. I think I have 12 more to go now? Not that I am
counting down or anything - just a random fact to share :)
I heard that Faith has been inviting a friend to church and that
her friend might be taking the missionary lessons!? That is wonderful. I
have really learned that missionary work progresses best when the ward
members are involved. I have also realized how much I have promised the
Lord that I would share my testimony just as a member of His church. It
is not only the missionaries that are responsible for bearing testimony.
When we are baptized we covenant with the Lord that we will stand
as witnesses of Christ - at all times and in all things and in all
places. So not only should our actions bear testimony but our words
should as well. When we truly love the Lord and accept His gospel - we
share it. It is hard sometimes. But it's supposed to be! When standing
as an example of Christ is hard - we are standing shoulder to shoulder
with Him because what He did was not easy.
So go Faith! Keep telling people what you believe. Keep inviting them to church. Keep doing hard things! :)
This week I have wanted more than anything to teach people. I want
to help people understand that they have a Father in Heaven who loves
them, and that we we can return to Him through Jesus Christ, I want them
to know that they can be with their families forever! But... instead,
I'm learning patience. Well over half of the lessons that we have had
scheduled this week have fallen through. One in particular really
disappointed me. We found a name and address in our area book
listed as a potential investigator. We don't know how she and her
husband were originally contacted or why the missionaries never saw her
again, but we wanted to give it a try. When we met her and her two young
kids we learned that they were the sweetest family and that religion
and family are really important to them. She asked if we could come by
at a better time and so we schedule to see her on Wednesday. When we saw
her on Wednesday she sounded really sick and told us that her daughter
had a dance recital and that she was really sorry that that day wouldn't
work. But she happily agreed to Friday. Except - on Friday no one was
home. I know that the gospel will help her and her family so much. I
know it! But Satan is trying so hard to make sure that we cannot teach
it to her. Ugh - satan is a jerk.
And she isn't the only one. So many have fallen through and it can
be so frustrating. But I know that God has other things in mind for us
to be doing these next few weeks. The Elko Christmas Creche is coming up
and we are busily inviting everyone that we can. All of Elko is invited
(and anyone really!!) and thousands of nativities are displayed. Plus
there are Christmas programs and sing-a-longs and it ends with the first
presidency's Christmas address. It is going to be such a powerful testimony of Christ and very few people say no because first and
foremost it is an interfaith celebration. But, it happens to be in our
stake building. And I know that no one can go into one of our church
buildings and see so many examples and representations of Christ and NOT
feel the Spirit. We will not proselyte when we are there because it is
interfaith. But we will be there. And I know that there will be people
who go to this that are spiritually prepared for the gospel, they will
feel the Holy Ghost and they will want to know what that feeling is and
how they can have it in their life more fully. My companion and I
have this very ambitious goal to invite every home in Elko 5th ward
boundaries to this! And there are A LOT of homes. So we are getting the
ward involved. Their willingness and courage to invite all of their
neighbors is such a blessing. It is wonderful because it means that when
their neighbors go and have questions they will know who they can go to
if they have questions. We're helping every member be a missionary! :)
But while we do all of this we are also still trying our best to
teach and find people to teach. The creche is important but bringing
people to Christ is most important :)
Some fun things from this week - we had the coolest dinner
appointments. Three in particular. 1) I had my first entirely french
meal on the mission! One member's family have a daughter who just got back
from and internship in France and the food was SOOO good. I'd tell you
what it is called. But my French is awful... actually it's non-existent
:p so I couldn't even say it let along spell it! haha. But it was a
common french meal. a beef stew of sorts with a gravy-like consistency
and mushrooms mmm! It was so good... and baguette (sp?) with olive oil.
It was super neat. And the daughter is super willing to go on splits
with us if we ever need help :) That's always good to know. 2) We had an Italian dish that I had never even heard of before. It was SO fattening
but super good!! On the table were probably 20 bowls of raw foods
(meats, vegetables, cheese etc). And in the center of the table was an
electrical skillet with hot oil in it. We all chose what we wanted to
eat and then put it in the oil. It was so good and so much fun!
Definitely something I'd like to do again sometime... but not too often
because I want you all to at least recognize me when I come home. So
eating a lot of fatty foods and gaining a lot of weight would be a bad
life choice :p and 3)! Having
breakfast foods is a rarity for missionaries. I bet if you make waffles
and eggs and bacon they would just love you! (but if this part is
posted on the blog - be sure that not EVERY family serves them that.
That wouldn't be as good lol). I am proud to say - I ate like a Tongan
on Saturday! And again -that is something else that I can't keep doing
if I want to be recognized :p This week was just a special food week :)
This Thanksgiving:
First I am SO grateful to be in Elko Nevada. I think being here is
the best opportunity in the world and I can really see the Lord blessing
me for it. I love you all so much and I wish I could be sitting at the
table with you and enjoying the turkey and the pie and the sprite out of
our beautiful green dishes that are so cute and so us :) I think that
will always be a part of how I remember our family's Thanksgiving. I
know that its probably hard that Ashley and I are both gone - it's
definitely hard for me as I wish I could sit there with you and be a
physical part of the family too. But I am grateful that all of you are
still together. We are so blessed to have each other - whether we are
physically close or far!
We may not be one of those families that has a lot of things. Like a
big fancy tv or a house with four bathrooms or a kitchen that is
at least big enough to serve our family! Lol. But when I step back and
look at us - I see a family who has everything. We have each other and we
have a home to gather in. We have the gospel of Christ in our lives! We
have good friends and happy memories. We have enough to get by :) Oh!
And we have Zoey. Zoey is special too :) It's silly but I'm glad that we
don't have a ot. We have what we need and we are happy with it :)
While I'm away. I must say that I am grateful for the internet and
that we can still be connected to each other in that way :) and for the
dear sweet family we are staying with who spoil me rotten. And the ward here who
would step up in a heartbeat if I needed help. And the ward back home
who would do the same! I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have
to help others strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ. I am
grateful to Him and the great sacrifice that He made so that we can
return to live with our Father in Heaven again. And we can return with
our families! I love you all so much! I would like to keep you forever
:)
Have a happy Thanksgiving :) I think of you always - especially today!
Love Alexis!
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