We're also still working with 2 new investigators.
I love those two. They both just want to do what is right. And even
though we haven't taught them much yet they are still making a lot of
changes and trying to become better :) The mom is illiterate and so it is quite a difference
experience teaching her. I think Christian might have disabilities too
but it doesn't matter because God loves each of us despite our
imperfections! Both of them came to church yesterday! All three hours :)
On Saturday we did a church tour. It was amazing! I've done church
tours a few times before, but never so well as this time. We had THREE
investigators there and several solid members who contributed their
testimonies and just helped everyone feel comfortable. I have definitely
seen how a church tour can make the world of difference. A lot of times
people are scared to go to church solely because they don't know the
building and what happens in them. Because, let's be honest, our
buildings are HUGE compared to most churches! We ended the tour in the
chapel and when we walked in all of us could feel an obvious difference.
We talked about what our sacrament meetings are like and the importance
of the sacrament. :) It was really neat. I wonder if the elders there
do anything like that? Feel free to share the idea if you'd like. What's
the missionary work like back home? Are the elders finding a lot of
people to teach? Are the members giving referrals? I sure hope so!
The other investigator who was at the tour was our other referral. I think I might have mentioned her last week. A member from a
neighboring ward offered to give her a bible and then asked if she would
be alright with the missionaries doing it and bringing a Book of Mormon
too. What an awesome member missionary!! So we had had a return
appointment set but she was sick and cancelled. But then she actually
texted us a few days later asking if we could come that day! That's
always a sign of someone who is truly interested. It was a Wednesday.
And it was a really busy day. From three on we had an appointment every
hour. Our new referral was the last one of the day. And because she had texted that
day we honestly didn't have any time to prepare the lessons. We don't
do the lessons how the elders did them with you. Nothing is set in stone
on what order it needs to be taught or how to teach. Everything we
teach is by the Spirit and according to the individual's needs. We
always have a lesson plan if we can help it though. So it was kind of
nerve wracking going into the lesson with her with absolutely no
preparation. All we could do was go by the Spirit. So we asked her if
she had any questions. And she did! But she thought her question was too
silly to ask. We kept pushing though and convinced her that no question
is a silly questions and she asked: "Does God have a plan for me" :O
That is a golden question.... right then we knew exactly what we
needed to teach. That she needed to understand how important she is to
God and the power of the Atonement. It was such a spiritual lesson. We
also got to know her so well. I honestly feel like we have been friends
much longer than two weeks!
And then last night we had an FHE (family home evening) lesson with a family. They are also great member missionaries. They invited
their neighbors over for dinner and the lesson. Their neighbors just had their first baby three months ago and have
been searching for truth. They even said that. The dad was born catholic but was never religious and the mom is
actually Armenian. She was born there but has lived here since she was
one (she spoke Armenian... it sounds really cool :) She was raised
christian, here dad is actually a preacher in Sacramento. But both of
them want to find a common ground. They want to have the same beliefs to
raise their family in. And they want to know what they believe before
they get married too. Ironically the FHE lesson that my companion and I
had planned was on the family proclamation. So we also talked about the
sealing power and how husbands and wives can be sealed for eternity but
only by the authority of God. We didn't really tell them how they could
do it. Mostly we just read bible scriptures that talk about being
together forever and that sealing power and we asked them how they would
feel knowing it could be for forever. We also talked about how most
marriage covenants are "until death do you part" or "as long as you both
shall live" and we kind of just let them think about that. We set up
another time to meet with them and they readily agreed. :) I am really
excited to work with them. This is truly kingdom building. I will love
to see them sealed together forever!
So... it's been a fabulous week (ya... I'm using
that word because Ashley is rubbing off on me! I think the last email I
read from her used that word like 7 times :p)
Love you all lots and lots! Have a great week!
-Lexi
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