That is my goal for the transfer, one billion converts! :) If that's not a motivation to work super hard I don't know what is. Impossible you say? False. Here is the reason why. Think about how many people have ever been affected by one person. Take Joseph Smith for example. So many people have been influenced and blessed by just one man! How many families have grown up in the gospel because of one great great great great great great great...great great aunt? Tis possible my freinds. I'm talking long term here obviously, as there are not even that many people in England. PS- we survived transfers again. No one in my district is being transferred so that's great! We have until Jan 18th to continue to make great things happen here in Stroud.
This last week has been interesting. I was truly devastated for the first time in my life I think. It was weird and I don't wish for it to happen again although it almost invariably will. One of our investigators with a baptismal date, Jason has been MIA for a long time. We have called numerous times with no answer. We have been to his house and no answer. Tried to get a hold of him through a friend and no answer. So you see where I'm going with this? Let me tell you. We found out that it was a possbility that he had gotten a new phone and because he has no credit he never calls anyone, he can only accept calls. So we stopped by his house and left a note saying that we hope to hear from him soon and that we all is well. During weekly planning on Friday we got a text.....Dear Sister, I have had a change of heart. All things considered its just not for me. Jason. I was so gutted! my heart truly ached for that man and I have prayed so hard for him to have another chance to accept the gospel. I have come to this conclusion: The Lord knows his children and he knows when the time is right for them. As much as I wish things were different, things are done according to the Lord's timetable. That is nothing new that I learned I have always known that but this thought came into my mind very distinctly and I know that I need to accept it and move on to helping those other great people that we teach. We are blessed with so many people to teach and I sincerely hope that each one of them in their own time will be baptised and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
We have been doing something cool lately. We have been having members write their testimonies in Books of Mormon and wrapping them like gifts and then handing them our to people. It has been so much fun. The best way to spresd Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear....or passing out Book of Mormons. :)
Another thing that I have learned that I wish to share with you goes along with my previous statement. It goes something like this, Everything that I want for my investigators the Lord wants for me. So often, I get in this cycle of thinking, "I wish so-and-so would keep his commitment to read" or "So-and-so really needs to come to church and understand why its so important" or "I just want these people to PROGRESS! Is that too much to ask?" and then I think to myself about my Father in Heaven and how He is probably thinking the same things about me. He's thinking, "Sister Benson. Just progress already! I have given you the tools to do so...Do soemthing about it!" I love it! I cannot convert beyond my own conversion. I need to work hard, study diligently and pray as if everything depended on God but then work as if it all depended on me and my companion.
This work cannot be done without the Spirit. It's one of the easiest things to say but its a tad more difficult to actually accomplish. :)
I love being a missionary more than anything and I am glad to hear that you are all doing well (except madre at the moment...) But I love you all so much and I love you mom and dad!
Until next time, May the Spirit be with you
Love, hugs, and fist bumps,
Sister Benson
Book of Mormon speak : I would that ye should be diligent in all things, in study and even in prayer. :)
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