Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Week 56: Leadership Training..Cactus Jack. "I cant drink coffee?!".. annd Boiled Peanuts.‏

Dear Family!
 
Well it is that time again...week 6 for us in the mission and that means a couple of things. First Transfers are a comin, second our mission president is leaving soon and third transfers. Not trying to look too far ahead, but I am sad that President and Sister Tucker are leaving. Because yall are so far away and communication is limited, they become like second parents to us in the mission. I sure have come to love them so much and am going to miss them.
Another great week has flown by and yet there is still so much to be done in this area. Our mission, along with others, have implemented what is called the 'Harvesting program'. This is a tool we can use to the many that we now have for finding the elect in our area. Acting under the priesthood keys of our mission president ( because we're sisters) we approach people on the street or when tracting and do the same thing that Christ would do if he were in our area..That is, leave his peace and blessings on their family and their home. This only takes 10-15 minutes and the spirit that is present as this is done is amazing. We kneel in prayer with the family, with the head of the house's approval and leave the saviors peace and blessing on them. The spirit, as I said, is always so strong during this. One great thing about this is it will really help us to "sift" out the elect in our area per say. I am so excited to use this harvesting tool more in our area.
 
Some great lessons that happened this week were with this Hispanic family we are working with..( the ones I told you we found at raisin canes?) Well.. They have been a little flaky..understandable..its the summer time. But we did have a great lesson with them on Sunday and finally met their daughter. They are all really interested to learn more and once we get all the scheduling worked out I will tell you all about the wonderful lessons. The little girls always say " the sisters are coming..the sisters are coming." its really cute! Somebody likes us! lol
 
 So..Another wonderful experience we had is our progressing investigator came to church! She is doing so well. I feel so grateful to be able to be one of the missionaries teaching her. She is still praying to know if Joseph Smith really was a prophet. During Sunday school yesterday the whole lesson was on The organization of the priesthood. Her concern was not about any of that..she said it made perfect sense to her..what she was more concerned about was if the event of Joseph actually seeing God and Jesus really happened. Because if it did then all of the organization stuff "she described it like the way a company or business is run..is true. She is very bring and is progressing very well. I am not sure about her date for the 30th of June, but I just know she will get baptized.
Funny story..so she came to church on Sunday with her coffee.. Yes..We had not gone over the word of wisdom yet and knew it would be an issue..so we gave her the pamphlet at our last lesson on Saturday and said that we would discuss it at our next visit on Monday.. After church in the evening time we get a text from her saying.."You didn't tell me I cant have coffee!" lol.. Yes we did discuss this with her today and the spirit was very strong in our meeting. She committed to live the word of wisdom and continue to study to see if Joseph really is a prophet. She is great!..also she is taking us out to lunch again this week. "How cool is my life" - cactus jack.
 
So..yesterday..and by yesterday I mean last Monday! ( the days run together..lol) We ran into( we will call him..) Mike ..or new investigator. I saw him at wal mart and he looked really familiar..So i said" hey! Were you at the library today?" he said he had been.. Come to find out he had sat across from me..I knew he looked familiar..long story short we loaned him a copy of the book of mormon right there in the laundry section of wal mart  ( best wal mart trip ever..right after we ran into a less active, who's name I thought was on the roll is not! She almost came to the relief society activity too..but her husband out of the blue went "anti" on her.) ..back to Mike.. So We set up an appointment with him and he met us at the church with the Tuckers. We had a great lesson and he committed to be baptized on July 21st. We are meeting with him this week and I will let you know how it goes. He asked so many great questions, wants to change his life around and I am excited for him to progress.
 
So we had Leadership training on Friday. Amazing as always. President Tucker started out by teaching us who God is and the doctrine of who we truly are. Knowing who we..that we really are Sons and daughters of God really motivates us to want to change and do better. The comment was made that if we really knew this we would want to be more obedient and repent. We need to make sure that we are teaching our investigators how to really repent and come unto Christ. The assistants talked about always being on duty. There is never "off time" for missionaries. we are always to be doing the lords work..even on P-day..It is just a day to get to go shopping for grocery's. Then President gave his last " will and testament" if you will.. the speech that he would give at the departures he gave to us. I sure am going to miss him..The counsel he gave us was wonderful and It motivates me to want to be and do so much better. Great great meeting. also it was a plus to see all my sister friends in the mission. I love these girls.
 
Saturday we got to go to Clinton for the musical stake fireside ( which sadly was poorly attended). Cactus Jack was performing a musical fireside. It was wonderful. He has a great voice and apparently has his CD's for sale at Deseret book ( hinthint nudgenudge winkwink.) lol. He has a wonderful voice and I wish yall could have been at his concert. His life has been full of so much tragedy and heart break. As he would go to sing a song he would tell us all the stories behind it and the meaning of the song to him. It was wonderful. One thing he kept saying is " How cool is my life!" I have pondered on this and some of the things he has said. The truth is there is nothing great about shrinking so that others will feel better about themselves. We all need to shine and be our best, this is what will bless peoples lives more then anything. "there is nothing enlightened about shrinking."
 
Well my time has come to a quick end. I hope yall have a wonderful week! Things are great here. The ward is taking care of us and we are in no short supply for people to teach..never a slow time that's for sure. I love yall! Thank you for the prayers and support. It means the world to me. Though yall are so far away..know my prayers are with you.
I hope that yall get to go out with the missionaries and see them often!
 
Love yall!
Sister Urie
 
Southernism: Boiled Peanuts! I sent pictures of this..ate my first ones today and thy are amazing..never going back!
Tracting Tips: Nothin..yet! We are going to be blessing every home in Flowood this next transfer..so look out! haha
Scripture: 3 Nephi 11:3 Let us all be worthy to hear the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.
 
Till next TUESDAY.

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