I. LOVE. STROUD.
Love, hugs, and fist bumps
Sister Benson
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA You thought that was it didn't you?!?! no way jose!
Stroud is alive with the Christmas Spirit and I love it! Ready to hear about some mini miracles from this week? ok. Here goes.
We have been praying for a family to teach, and lo and behold I think we found one! I don't remember if I mentioned Carol and David, the chinese couple? Well here is a quick recap. Sister Hedemark tracted into them in July and hasn't been able to teach them but last week we got a call from them saying that they wanted to come to church! We were so excited! They came to church (dressed in casual clothes) and really enjoyed it and we set up a time to see them the next Sunday (yesterday) When they came to church yesterday David was in a suit! and Carol was dressed up too! We never said a word to them about what to wear they just did it. We taught them about God and Jesus Christ after church and when we were getting ready to finish David asked us what he needed to read to prepare for our next visit! I love Chinese people, they are just like that all the time and its great. So we not only got 2 new investigators but we also have a little family to teach. Carol is pregnant with their first, but we still think that counts as a family. :)
Remember Merle and Daniel? The most clever 11 year old boy ever?! We haven't been able to see them in awhile because of Merle's new work schedule but we decided to stop by their home and hope for the best. We were so blessed to have the whole family there! Graeme (the dad) asked us questions and thinks that we are doing a good job and that its good for Daniel (its good for the whole family but we are working towards that) We told them about the Joy to the World Christmas DVD and they want to watch it so we set up a time where the whole family will be there to watch it! yet another family!! I am so excited for next Monday night now! I just hope that I'm here......We are going to go on an exchange with the sisters in Harbourne starting Monday night. I hope that I am the one that stays in Stroud because I want to see the McArdle family (Daniel's family)!! But it seems like the junior companion is usually the one who leaves so that will be sad. But I'm sure Harbourne is great too.
TIM!! Right when we think we have hit a brick wall with Tim a glimmer of hope reappears. We taught Tim about the Word of Wisdom and committed him to stop smoking and drinking tea and he said he would try it for a week and see what happened....he lasted a day. So we decided that we needed to recommit him and set a date to stop by. We weren't too sure how he would take that but we needed to try. We have found that our best lessons with him are when we read from the Book of Mormon with him and explain what is going on (he struggles with his comprehension of anything really but the scriptures in particular are hard) So we were reading from the 1 Nephi about the Liahona and Nephi's bow breaking and such. And talking about faith, diligence, and heed (16:28) and out of the blue he says, "So I think that when I stop smoking and drinking tea and whatever else this will all make more sense. I think because God will see that I am trying to do what he thinks I should do so He will say, 'Tim is putting forth some effort so I will help him out a little bit.' But that's just what I think." Hallelujah!! Something sunk in! I was so excited I almost started laughing, but decided against it because that might be interpreted wrong. :) We were just like, yup. that's why we done did told ya to stop smokin'! that's one of the promises of living the word of wisdom- to have added treasures of knowledge! Oh bless...
AND we were praying super hard this week to have more less actives at church. We called tons of them and tried to visit even more because the Pinkertons have been out of commission this week. We got nowhere. So we just prayed that someone would be inspired to come to church on Sunday. We had some in mind that were likely to come and we prayed lots! We were so blessed because we were surprised by who actually came to church! One man, who the Pinkertons have been working with, hasn't been to church in like 20+ years or something like that and he was there!!!! He wasn't just there for Sacrament either, he was there the whole time! Dressed very smart and reading scriptures and taking notes and his whole countenance just shone. The man was literally beaming. I hope that we will start to see him more. The Pinkertons are doing such a great job with the less actives. He made the difference We met standard of excellence this week because he came to church. We want to send him a thank you card. But don't worry we remembered to thank the Lord! After we do all we can do the Lord will bless us for our efforts. Not always how we expect but usually much better!
Love you all and I look forward to talking to you soon.
Apparently Sis Hedemark is going to skype her family. I didn't think that was allowed but I will find out if that's an option. However I know that y'all don't have a webcam. I'll probably just call. But I will let you know for sure next week.
Love, hugs, and fist bumps
Sister Benson
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