This past weekend was so great. I hope everybody watched that "Because of Him" video because it is truly accurate, touching, inspiring and spiritually uplifting.
Okay. Here we go.
Monday: Our district met up and had a fun P-Day activity. We played "The Word Game." Yes, I played. I like words. Plus, nobody really wins or loses. So that made me pretty happy! Then, we met up with the elders at a place called Kiosko and I ate Mexican ice cream. We went over the ward list again and then headed off to FHE. We broke off into small groups, so that was pretty fun. That's what we'll be doing from now on. Only, tonight's FHE is a pool party for the group that Frank, our investigator, is going to go to... So we'll have to find a different one to check out. Oh well! We'll work it out.
Oh, and Sister King found out that there's been another Sister Training Leader in our zone this whole time that she's been Sister Training Leader, but nobody told the other girl and nobody told Sister King... So she's been stressing out with doing exchanges with everybody when she didn't actually have to!! Oh man, that was funny. Its Sister Schellhouse serving in the Magnolia 1st Ward. And we were planning to do exchanges with them that night.
Sister Schellhouse was very shocked to find out that she's Sister Training Leader too.
Tuesday: We had exchanges with the Magnolia 1st sisters! Sister Schellhouse came here with me. We did some research on some unknown ward people at the computers and then we visited a member named Sean. We had a really good discussion with him about the sacrament and the Atonement, and a member named Jennifer came. It went so well! The Spirit was super strong, and I know that Sean felt something. Then, we went and visited Kristin and told her that I got my visa. She was shocked, excited, happy and sad. All at the same time. It was pretty funny. Then, we had to exchange back early so Sister Schellhouse could go to a Relief Society activity.
We visited, well, tried to visit, a few members in Magnolia and got some quick dinner. Then we drove back.
When we got back, we started knocking doors. However, we realized that it was late and people would probably think that we were creepers instead of missionaries. So we were walking back and had about 15 minutes left. We prayed about what we should do, because we've been trying to be super obedient lately and are trying to use our full missionary day and not come in until it is 9 o'clock. So, we were praying about what to do. And I got this prompting that we should drive to the temple. I kind of pushed it away because, honestly, who is going to be at the temple at 8:45 at night? But I kept thinking it, so Sister King and I decided to drive to the temple. We got there and got out, and sat down by the fountain in the front. I looked up at the beautiful top of the temple with it all lit up and how it represents that Heavenly Father is always home and always there for us. Then, we both said our own prayers quietly. I was silently praying, saying, "Okay, we are here... I'm pretty sure it was a prompting to come here. And we're here so... Let me know what we need to do and if we need to talk to anyone... Yupp, Just let me know what I should do... Please?" And I could feel the Spirit very strongly but I wasn't really getting an answer or anything. I opened my eyes and... how do I describe this? Okay. So, a ways behind us in the parking lot was a very bright street light thing. We were sitting on a bench facing the fountain, with our backs to the light. When I opened my eyes, I saw our shadows on the ground with this bright, radiant light around them, like some angel was standing behind us illuminating everything. Even though I knew it was just that light behind us, I couldn't help turning around to see if someone was there. It was just the light. I turned around again, feeling like Heavenly Father was literally right there with us, even if I couldn't see Him. I started praying, asking why we were there again and such. Finally, I got this prompting; "Just appreciate the beauty!!" So I laughed at myself and did just that. And when I opened my eyes the same thing happened with the light and our shadows. It was just a beautiful moment. Heavenly Father really is always there, whether we see Him or not. And so is the Savior.
We didn't find anybody at the temple, but I know that it was a prompting to go there. Sister King and I needed to go there for ourselves. And I think Heavenly Father was testing me. Like, "Alright, I'm going to give you a prompting.. Are you going to follow it? Show me that you are willing to follow My promptings."
I love the temple!!
Wednesday: We caught Ashley at "Chill..." on our way to "The Mission" and had a nice chat with her, and set up an appointment with her.
Then, we went to "The Mission." That Christian group we always go to. And I'm going to be completely honest. I did not appreciate the sermon. It was directed at us, the members of the church that were there, and the Spirit was not in the atmosphere. I can't really even remember a specific example, just that the sermon seemed to be all over the place and they were just saying things like they were trying to prove us wrong. And the natural man inside me got a little angry, I'll admit. I was so close to standing up and saying something, but I decided to follow the example of the Savior and hold my peace. The Spirit wasn't there, but it was in my heart telling me that what he was saying was wrong. He was calling us out without using our names or the name of the church, but we knew. So did the member we were sitting by. And the guy giving the sermon couldn't even look at us. It was so frustrating. But, we held our peace. Because they are just good Christians trying to bring people closer to Jesus Christ and trying to save us. I just wish I knew how to help them see the truth that we've laid down right in front of them.
Agh.
Anyways, then we had a really good lesson with Evan, an investigator that goes to "The Mission." Johnny, a member that also attends the group, came with us and it went really well. Evan asked us a bunch of questions and agreed to take the official lessons. He even took notes and was super excited about this talk we gave him by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on the Godhead.
After that, we went to "The Waterway" and contacted a few people.
And something cool happened. This lady passed by us jogging. I heard something and for some reason looked back, and saw that the lady had collapsed! I said, "Oh my goodness!" and Sister King turned around and we ran over to her. She was a bit scraped up and very shaken up. She told us that her name is Andrea. We calmed her down and talked with her, and prayed with her. She has a lot of friends that are members. We got her phone number, because she is always looking for "good Christian friends" and have been in contact with her throughout the week. It is so neat how Heavenly Father uses us to help others, and has the timing worked out all perfectly. Even if it doesn't seem perfect to us because we are late for our dinner appointment.
He watches out for all of His children. He truly does.
We had a nice dinner with some YSAs and their family, and they gave us cute little Easter bags filled with candy.
Then, we had a really good lesson with Sandra at the temple. Courtney came, who is also a convert and had some of the same concerns that Sandra has right now. Sandra was just very confused, and was refusing to read the Book of Mormon because she knows that if she reads it, she WILL get baptized. And she's very scared about that. She felt good when she was reading it though, and whenever she prays she feels good about it. Then, suddenly, I felt like I should tell her a super embarrassing story from my life. And I was like NO. But then, I thought, okay. The Spirit must know better than I. Here goes.
The Parable of the Challenge Pole
Once upon a time at Girls Camp, Sister Shell was on the Ropes Course. Everybody was doing the "Challenge Pole" or the "Leap of Faith" except for her, because she was so darn terrified of heights. And the "Challenge Pole" is a 30 ft tall telephone pole that one climbed up, stood up on the tiny 2 ft long platform at the top, and jumped off, trusting the harness and the belayer to catch them.
Terrifying, right?
Sister Shell really wanted to do this. But sister Shell is terrified of heights. But she really wanted to do it. She talked to her mom and got all harnessed up to do it. With tears streaming, literally streaming, down her face, she climbed the pole because she really felt like she should, would and could do it.
Still, she finally stood up, clutching the rope.
After a moment, still unsure but determined, she called out to the belayer. "Falling!" she yelled as loudly and bravely a she could muster, voice cracking, tears clouding her vision and covering her face. Everyone went "aww she sounds so scared!" "Duh!" she thought. "I told you I was afraid!" And then. The belayer called back, "FALL ON! And since she'd committed to doing it already, she did it. Before giving it any more thought, she threw herself off of the top. And a terrified shriek escaped her lips.
The end.
So... I related that to Sandra. Its like she's at the top of the pole and wants to climb back down instead of taking a leap of faith. She really related well to the analogy and understood it. I told her that now she can either climb back down and be safe and never know what would have happened, or she can take that leap of faith and jump and have the time of her life and find out that everything was worth it.
So she committed to writing down every time she feels good about getting baptized, and every time that she feels the Holy Ghost telling her that its okay, or whenever she gets a little answer or a little sign.
Having Courtney there was so perfect, too, because she was able to really help Sandra by telling her story.
So, people. Follow the Spirit, even if it means telling a super awkward and seemingly unrelated story from Girls Camp. Because the Lord knows better than we do.
Thursday: Weekly Planning! And, I had my last interview with President Pingree. It was rather sad. Both of us cried a little, and he bore his testimony to me. That was really special, and that is something that I will treasure forever. He also told me that Heavenly Father is proud of me and the work that I am doing, and is grateful for me service. That was really good to hear. President also told me that he and Sister Pingree will miss me a lot.
Man, I love this mission. I'm gonna miss Texas a ton.
That night we had a really good lesson with Frank on the temple grounds. We went over the baptismal interview questions and got him prepped for that. Then, since it was 8 and it was dark, we pointed out the light at the temple is always on because Heavenly Father is always home and is always there for us. He liked that. Later, when we were writing down who he wanted to baptize him and who he wanted to speak and such, I caught him looking up at the top and muttering with a smile, "Always there.."
Also, speaking of Frank, here's a funny little text conversation we had with him. F=Frank, M=missionaries, aka, us
M: How's your Book of Mormon reading going?
F: Me and Nephi are building a ship. With our skills :)
M: Haha how's that going?
F: Pretty bad so far.
M: Darn Laman and Lemuel...
F: Yeah I know right!!!! Lemuel and Laman question our skills too much :/ They need Jesus.
Haha, oh Frank. Yes, they do. We all do.
And, I had a good panic attack about going to Brazil because I realized that I was planning my last week in Texas. And, since I got a lovely package for Easter from my lovely family, I put the box over my head as I lamoni-d on the floor.
And Sister King got it on video.
Jerk.
Friday: We had a super beautiful and Spirit filled District Meeting. It started with Elder Duvall saying "Today we are going to be talking about Jesus Christ" and slamming a box of tissues on the table.
Yeah, wise choice.
We discussed what Christ did while He lived on the earth, and, of course, discussed the single most important even in all of history- The Atonement. It was beautiful and we felt the Spirit the whole time. I was asked to give the closing prayer, and I think that that might have been the most sincere prayer I have ever offered in front of people.
I just feel so grateful for the Atonement and for what it means for us.
Then, we went to The Waterway in The Woodlands and finished planning, contacted and wrote our testimonies down in copies of the Book of Mormon and left them for some people to find after sincerely praying about where we should leave them.
Then, we tracted in the neighborhoods behind us. Ran into some interesting people. At least the nice agnostic guy listened to us and thanked us for sharing our Easter message about Christ. Its so funny, because a lot of the Christian people we asked if we could share an Easter message about the Resurrection of Christ would say something "I'm already Christian and I know about the Resurrection. Thanks!" Like... okay, can we talk about it anyway?? We have something here for you!! I promise!!
Then, we did some family history and watched that "Because of Him" video which I loved and Sister King loved. Its beautiful!
Saturday: We were so blessed to be able to do service at the temple for a few hours. It was neat to be able to do that on Easter weekend. What better way to celebrate the Lord than to help His house look beautiful? It felt like we were preparing His tomb.
I love the temple!
Then, we had dinner with Kevin and ate some yummy barbecue. Although, I will say, that I prefer Barbecue Street.
After that, we tracted a bit more and tried to contact some people.
Sunday: Happy Easter!!
We put in our "Lamb of God" cd on our way to church. Its all about Jesus Christ and focuses on His Atonement. Its by Rob Gardner and its part narration, part singing, and part orchestra. Its beautiful. It was so perfect for Easter, and really helped us to feel the true meaning of the holiday. Its not about bunnies and candy, people. Its about the Savior of mankind suffering for us, and conquering everything for us. He is risen!
We had a really good church meeting where I talked with Sandra and she told us that she is going to start reading the Book of Mormon again, and that her list that she promised to start making is bigger and longer than she thought it would be!!! So that was a pretty cool miracle. I gave her an assignment to read.
Then, we went to the Jones' for dinner, the family that we typically eat at on Sunday's, and had a really good spiritual message. We used one of the songs from the "Lamb of God" cd called "This is He" and it facilitated a lot of good discussion about the Savior. And, of course, we watched the "Because of Him" video. The Spirit was so strong!
He lives! I know that He lives, and that He loves us, and that because of Him, we can do anything. We can conquer all. He is real. He is love. Turn to Him. Embrace Him. He is right there, waiting for you to do so.
Also, here's a challenge that Elder David A. Bednar gave our mission president, that President Pingree in turn gave to us, and I, in turn, give to y'all.
"1. Find a paperback copy of the Book of Mormon.
2. Read the book cover-to-cover and highlight any passage that helps you answer the following question: “How can I use the enabling and strengthening power of the Atonement?”
3. Write a one-page summary of what you learned.
We were promised that if we would do this, we would come to know the Savior better, learn to access added strength from the Atonement, and become more effective servants of Jesus Christ."
Here's something I got from it. When I was reading 1 Nephi 8, I replaced some of the words while I read.
Tree=Christ
Fruit= Atonement
Anything about water= waters of baptism (except for verse 32 which is waters of sin)
Iron Rod= Strengthening and enabling power
It brought so much meaning and symbolism that I hadn't thought of before.
So, yupp. Those are my thoughts.
I love y'all!!
com amor,
Sister Shell
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