The week started off a bit on the downside when we got kicked out of a Filipino family's home Monday
evening. We had tracted into Irene, who let us in immediately to teach
her the week before, and she started reading the Book of Mormon and
everything! We went back on Monday
and her whole family was home. We started teaching the Plan of
Salvation, and right when I introduced "agency", her nephew who is
probably in his 30's FREAKED out. Ha...in a nutshell he basically told
us that agency isn't in the bible and if we teach anything that's not in
the bible, we're not welcome in their home. The spirit was GONE right
after that incident..we opened up to Genesis about Adam and Eve and how
they had agency, and he didn't even stay to hear our answer. Irene's
daughter had some objections about the Book of Mormon, so we tried to
resolve them, but she was DEFINITELY not having it. We had brought
Fanny, a member who is from the Philippines, so she could speak Tagalog
with them. We didn't know what they were saying, then Fanny turns to
us, "they're just waiting for you to leave." So we said a prayer and
left. Afterwards, she told us that we are definitely not welcome there
anymore...it made me realize that the missions we are serving really are
just a tiny, miniscule glimpse of what the Savior went through. The
message of the Gospel can bring so much happiness and light into
people's lives, but only if they let it. Pride is what keeps people
from improving their lives and living the gospel. And we just have to
realize that there's not much we can do as missionaries if people don't
have the humility to listen to us.
Also, super funny...our bishop called us Tuesday
night, because we had a question for him. The first thing he says is,
"guess what! I just ran over a bear!" Say what??! We were laughing so
hard. Then on Thursday
we had supper with them, and he was saying how he was going to feed us
bear one day, then I was like, "Oh yeah are you going to go back and get
that bear you ran over?" ( I was totally being sarcastic) then Dustin
(his son) goes, "He already has it!" HA! It was kind of a had to be
there moment...but it was so funny. I'm telling you, their family is
the greatest.
Wednesday
was a crazy day! We raked about 7 million leaves between two less
actives and it was such a blast. It was SOOO cold. I thought my hands
were going to fall off, but Heavenly Father protects His missionaries.
:)
We also mutilated our tire by
accidentally running over a broken glass bottle in the church parking
lot. We called the elders in our ward, and their car was in the shop,
so they couldn't help us. So we called the other elders, who just
laughed hysterically at us. . . then the Stake president drives into the
parking lot and says, "you look stranded!" We told him what happened,
and he put our spare on for us. :) We have been driving on our donut
since then, but we're getting our new tire today. So we can actually
drive.
A new investigator moved into our
ward!!!! Her name is Robin and she's so solid. She's been wanting to
get baptized for over a year now, but her family is super anti. She
said now that she's married and moved away, she can do what she wants.
SO EXCITING! We're just waiting for her husband to get the Melchizedek
priesthood so he can confirm her. MIRACLES ARE HAPPENING!
Also,
conference was AMAZING! So much about prophets and Joseph Smith and
families and the Sacrament. I absolutely love how simple and clear the
messages of the talks are. The gospel really is so simple.
In
my personal studies a few days ago, I read Alma 2. I'm not sure how I
read this chapter multiple times before my mission and didn't realize
how PACKED it is with instructions for us! As we are prepared, and as
we arm ourselves with the tools that the Lord has given us, we will be
strengthened by Him and will not fall when the adversary is upon us. I
encourage you all to read it, and find a way to apply it to your daily
life.
Missionary work is the hardest thing
I've ever done, but I know without a doubt that it's hard because, as
Elder Holland says, "Salvation is NOT a cheap experience." He's right.
Salvation isn't easy, and the road the Savior walked was the farthest
thing from easy. I'm so grateful I have this opportunity to serve in
place of the Savior to bring His people unto Him.
Onward, ever onward.
Sister Jones
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