Can you believe that tomorrow I will have been out 16 months? I
surely cannot. This work is amazing and the time that I have been here
feels like a dream. Everyday goes by so fast. I cant even begin to tell
you how many miracles we were able to be a part of this past week. My
heart is so full of thanks to my God that I cannot put into words how
excited I am for the events that have transpired this past week. Also I
cannot express how grateful I am for the things that will be coming in
weeks soon to follow. Let me explain...
Last week I mentioned Cody? ( I believe that is what I called him?
The man that did not believe we celebrated birthdays?)...Well! We
stopped
by his house on Thursday night..His dog has been really sick and was
about to pass away. So they wanted to spend as much time with him as
they could before he passed. As a result we weren't able to sit down
with
them and have a "formal lesson" if you will. We were able to be there
for them..took the puppy a get well card. They appreciate that. During
this visit we were able to discuss How all good things come from God.
Cody's son has been struggling with adding additional scripture to the
bible. Since a young age this is all he's known. ( he is 15) So his
questions and concerns were centered on who is to be accountable if he
were to read and study these things and it took him further from Christ
and God? Also he didn't want to go against everything he had been
taught.
I can completely understand this..after living with one law and one
understanding your whole life and having someone come and tell you
something different..I would be a little confused myself and question..(
I
believe I already told yall this also..)..I was worried we were a
little to blunt with him in helping him understand these things. Also
during this visit we asked Cody if he 'hopes the book of Mormon is true,
Believes it is true or Knows it is true." He said He believed it was
true!.. Sister Johnson and I were so excited..both of us beaming! I cant
express the feelings to you of how exciting it is when someone (who
you've been meeting with for a long time) tells you that they believe
the
same things you do. What a great feeling.. and if you think that's
great..
The next time we met with Cody was after he had informed us that
his dog had passed away. So we stopped by to see how they were doing. A
little sad of course. They are going to let me play the violin at the
puppy's funeral. His mom might come down too ( Cody's Mom.. Side note:
He
has been sharing the book of mormon with his family. They didn't like
it
at first..but now they are open to learning more because they know that
Cody and his son would not look into anything that would hurt there
relationship with God.) During this visit we committed them to come to
church again..which they said they were going too..also we told Cody
that we had prayed about his date for baptism and felt good about
it..but it would be a good idea if he did the same thing.. SO in our
closing prayer with him Cody prayed that he would be able to make it to
his baptism date and to confirm if that was the date that he wanted him
to be baptized on. So great!...
Sunday.. We were supposed to have so many investigators come
(because I was playing the violin in church) but The only people that
came that we invited were two less actives and Cody and his son..(
pretty good if you ask me!) His son came to church...and He LOVED IT!
He went right with all the youth his age to class and he stayed in
priesthood with his dad..he loved every minute of it..when we asked him
what he thought he said he liked it a lot better then his other church.
He wants to be involved in scouts and seminary. After the block of
meetings this week we had a "linger longer" ( every fourth Sunday we
linger a little longer and eat a potluck lunch.) We told his son how we
know he was looking for more leadership opportunities at his other
church..and once he gets more involved here he'll see there are so many
available for him..then his dad ( not yet a member ) said " yeah..and
when you learn more about the priesthood you'll understand."...! We
haven't even taught him really any of that! This week we are focusing on
the commandments to prepare him for his baptism... but I'm getting ahead
of myself.. We had a meeting at a members house with him and his son
last night. It was amazing!..
During the visit we sat down and he said he wanted to be baptized
on October 13th and wanted to know what he needed to to do prepare for
that date. No one ever says that to us! Hardly ever. So we went over
some of the baptismal interview questions. Also we are making a chart of
everything we need to teach him, when and what scriptures he needs to
read... His son asked some really good questions..such as How the
prophet is called..he was a little confused on how we were able to still
gain personal revelation if the prophet gained revelation for us..but
he answered the question himself.. This boy is 15! Who has these
questions when they are 15 besides the boy Joseph..not many. One thing i
love that the member said to them last night when we were at there
house was basically.. they do not realize it now..but they are going to
be such an asset to the ward here and to the church. His son said he
wanted to serve a full time mission like us too!...How great is our
calling?
I feel so privileged to be able to teach them and serve them.
Earlier in the week Cody asked us if he was taken us away from the
ministry..we both looked at him and told him "no..you are our
ministry!".. Invite all others to come unto Christ by helping them
receive the restored gospel has taken on a new meaning this week.
Long story.. I hope that it makes sense.. I am just so excited and
happy for both of them. We are meeting with them Wednesday before our
book of mormon study class..His son has another youth group he is going
to but wants to skip it so he doesn't miss the meeting. Also he is
praying to know which date he wants to be baptized on. :)
.. Next story is about that family that I told you about last
week..who was a referral from that sweet little old lady who tells
everyone about us?..well She wasn't home when we went to meet with
her..So we called and rescheduled.. She has been talking with her
"spiritual adviser"..Who told her that we did not believe that Jesus
Christ was our savior and we only believed he was a prophet... Sister
Johnson told her.. No..that would be a lie... and secretly we wanted to
tell her.."we hope you're not paying your spiritual adviser..".. But we
tried to reschedule and she told us that she had been talking with a her
baptist preacher neighbor..who told her was the one that told her these
things.. And started to tell us she didn't want to meet with us anymore
when I got an impression to ask her if she was going to be home today so
that we could talk with her in person..She told us it was her birthday
and I said.."we want to bring you a cupcake!!"..so that we did..She let
us come over..we talked..She now knows we believe that Jesus is our
Savior..he lived, died for us..and lives this very moment!..Because we
took the time to sit with her and listen to her concerns she wants to
keep meeting with us. She told us that every time we come over she feels
such a calming spirit and she doesn't just let people right into her home
and pray with them. We have a return appointment to explain/discuss the
restoration with her in more detail his week. I will return and report.
What else happened this week... We had dinner with these awesome
members and they made really yummy homemade rolls! so I took a picture
with one.. They make the best bread ever..:) SO i just had to eat a few.
lol
..hmm.. I know! We had a meeting with bishop! Things are looking up
in the ward. He has been bishop about 3 years..and it makes me sick
knowing that not one set of missionaries have ever sat down and set
expectations..or told him what our role was and what we could really do
to help. Night and day. Things are looking very bright for our future
here in the Brandon Ward. We have started doing service on Saturday
mornings..showing up and different members houses and seeing what we can
do for them. First stop Saturday was the bishops house..all three sets
of us missionaries asking him who in the ward he knows that we can go
see. I think he really appreciated the effort.
Last thing..we were able to help sister McDonough clean the mission
home for service this week. ( lots of service..but not too much.) It
was great. I love her so much..She is very sweet and it is great to be
able to learn from her.
Well.. That is about it for me.. Ive officially blown up ya'lls inbox
with this ginormous email.. I hope you enjoyed the story.. Also I hate
to ask..but if you could please keep The dad and his son in your prayers
I would really appreciate it. They need all the prayers they can get!
I love yall so much! I hope yall have a great great week!
Have a blessed day!
love, Sister Urie.
Southernism:Sooo.. maybe we were driving down the road and saw this
car..maybe we stopped and took some pictures..maybe we loaned to copies
of the book of mormon and made two new investigators..no big deal..ha!
Also this week I heard this conversation.."How are you doing?".." Oh Fair to middlin"
Scripture: Acts 5:41 They counted themselves blessed that they were
willing to suffer shame for his name. I love this scripture. Do we
ourselves in the same light? Why do I sacrifice and serve? Because I
love the Lord too much not too.
Tracting Tips: zero... The weather has been so nice though.
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