Where to begin...
...
I keep wondering how I´m going to write about these people that we
teach.. what names I will use in place of their real names...
As
Im here thinking about what to say, my mind keeps running over the
members.. the incredible amount of members that we want to strengthen,
but who wont even keep simple commitments like reading their scriptures.
There
is definitely a mescla of emotions. I just want to see their faith
grow so badly, but there really is no progression without action.
Everytime someone actually realizes we are serious, and then they keep a
commitment, I am so happy!
I
think of the baptisms that the Elders have had. Its so hard not to
compare. I think sometimes the only reason us sisters are up here is to
be an example. Our mission presidents wife told us that this branch
needed us if only for our example.
Last
week the teacher didnt show up to teach relief society, so my companion
ended up teaching. The lesson was on charity and then we were about to
talk about how we could improve as sisters in the relief society in
charity one towards another, but I felt like I really had to say that we
shouldnt judge. I through in my two cents about how it is impossible
to have charity towards others if we begin judging them first. Well, we
began with another person talking about how we could do nice things
like sending text messages or tagging them in photos on facebook or
something like that and then this other lady jumped in about all the
things the relief society president should be doing, and then basically
then there was chaos and everyone was talking and pointing fingers.. and
all i could think was.. no wonder people dont want to go to church if
everyone hear is lacking the point of relief society.
The theme of relief society is Charity never faileth.
What on earth was happening....
My companion pretty much had to yell.. no she didnt yell.. but she talked VERY loudly and said
THIS IS NOT CHARITY
Thankfully
and miraculously the spirit was brought back as she bore testimony of
the golden rule in Mathew 7 and slowly everyone was humbled again.
One of the other
things that has been really hard about this week is that nearly every
single one of our appointments fell through. Even the people who dont
even leave their house because they watch t.v. all day. These people
who would probably stay in their house if it were on fire..were not
home. None of our investigators came to church this week. But the good
thing is that because of this we really were able to work on contacting
people.
When
I thought of missionary work before I always thought about knocking on
doors, but that has been about 1 one thousandth of my mission. Let me
just say that is really cool seeing how you can tell how when you start
explaining something and someone is really bored, but then you touch
upon something that answers a question to their soul. There was this
one girl who was talking to us about how both of her brothers had died.
She thought they were lost, but we were able to tell her about the
resurrection and the spirit world and how there really was life after
death and that she could see them again.
I think the coolest part though is when you are bearing
testimony of something or just basically reading doctrine, and the
spirit just comes, because the spirit will always testify of truth. You
can see how someone begins to understand as opposed to looking at you
with a blank face.
Im
reminded of these two investigators.. A man and his son. They seemed
so intrigued by the fact that yes, there is one God, one faith, and one
baptism.
Im also reminded of this other mother. At first she only wanted to talk
to us because we were Gringas. But then we bore testimony of the book
of Mormon. She felt that it was true, how God loved all his children
and wanted to bless the people in the Americas with his gospel as well
as in the old world. How it truly does testify of Christ.
Im
reminded of this couple. They told us they never let people in there
house, but for some reason, they let us in. They learned about
everything, they really began to understand faith in their lives, they
are growing closer to God and their prayers are becoming more personal.
They are now trying to get married so that they can one day go to the
temple and be sealed for eternity.
Im
reminded of this old woman who lives in shack in a wheelchair. Her
neighbor is a boy of 14 years old whose family is abusive and whose
mother father and older brother are alcoholics. He was recently
baptized and he wheels this sister to church.
There faith always strengthens mine and brings me to tears.
Im
reminded of another recent convert. She is a little bit richer. Not
not rich, but she is not living in a shack made of cardboard and a dirt
floor. One day when we were teaching her she was feeling depressed.. we
took her to this other shack of the sister in the wheelchair. Now she
will occasionaly bring over food and she is happy. She literally has
grown so much in these few months in her testimony. She is second
counselor in the relief soceity and is scared because she doesnt know
much, but everyone in this ward is a convert.
Her
son knows the church is true, but is living with his girlfriend. They
are ages 17 and 19. One day we were talking about prophets. We told the
story of Naman and how he had to wash in the river seven times.
Without us saying anything he opened up his mouth and pointed out how
at first he didnt have faith. It looked like a lightbulb had turned on
in his mind. When we talked about how prophets ask us to do little
things sometimes that dont make sense to us but we need to have faith it
is like it all clicked. We hadnt taught anything else but the story,
and then his mother started talking about how she didnt like his earing
in his ear. We hadnts said anything. His mom didnt even know the
standards of the church, but then he asked us. What does the prophet
say about earings. We said that girls can have a pair but how guys
shouldnt. He looked at us for one second. And turned his head to the
side and took out his earing.
I was in shock, but SO SO HAPPY.
I wish I could just cart him around to everyone I knew ever and say LOOK
LOOK AT HIS FAITH!
and then.
after.
after he had taken out his earing, he asked us why.
We
explained about how are bodies are temples and that we try to be modest
in appearance, but really. Its like he already understood the
principle. Yes are bodies are temples and we should take care of them.
Yes, there are temporal earthly blessings and also eternal blessings
for doing what is right and following the prophet. But faith.
His faith grew.
Well I have a lot more to say about this kid, but it will have to wait for next time.
Love Always,
Hermana Julia Chanel Bendixen
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