One of the sweetest thing any missionary experiences is
when a person who they found, taught, baptized is active and IS HOLDING A
CALLING AND GOING TO THE TEMPLE!!!!!!
That's what motivates me. There are people like BH out there. Ready and eager to have this Gospel be familiar to them.
I remember the day I found him. I was with dear Sister Vance on the eve before
the transfer call. We were in Lexington, Ohio a small suburb outside of
Mansfield. We were knocking on doors like crazy, praying that we would find
someone who would be prepared for us to teach. Remember that day Cassi?? The principle
that helped BH understand that this is the Lord's Church is knowing that
Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that he translated the Book of Mormon by
the Power of God. I remember clearly the day he told us that he knew the Church
was true.
I love how the Spirit testifies of truth. I have been
thinking a lot about that lately. In the Book of Mormon we read that
"...By the Power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all
things." As a missionary I have the opportunity to fine tune to the promptings
of the Spirit. To really know how the Father communes with me, and to better
help those I meet understand how the Father communes with them.
To go along with this thought we have been talking to a lot of people who are a part of Strong Christian backgrounds. They bare
testimony of what they believe and tell us to read the Bible. I have found
myself walking away feeling frustrated and hurt all at the same time. If they
took one second to just listen, they would feel the love that God has for them.
I often wonder if they aren't listening to me because I am too focused wanting
theme to listen to me and the Lord's message. I've come to realize that I like
doing the will of the Lords a lot more than doing my own will. I found a talk
given by Sister Burton last year about the Spirit. She adds a poem that her
blind mother wrote. It
says:
"I know
not by what methods rare,
But this I
know, God answers prayer.
I know that
He has given His Word,
Which tells me
prayer is always heard,
And will be
answered, soon or late.
And so I pray
and calmly wait.
I know not if
the blessing sought
Will come in
just the way I thought;
But leave my
prayers with Him alone
Whose will is
wiser than my own,
Assured that He
will grant my quest,
Or send some
answer far more blest."
I love that poem! Aren't we far more bluest when we
follow the voice of the Spirit?
This last week in MLC we talked about the basics of the
Book of Mormon. It is the Keystone of our religion. Through it we come to a
deep understanding that Jesus Christ is the Son of a living God, and that
Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God who through God's power restored His church.
Our mission is super young. 48 of the companionships are
training.
President Daines wants to have theses young missionaries
be passionate about the Book of Mormon. I love how many restored thirties there
are in the Book of Mormon. From Baptism to the Sacrament -- it's all in there.
I want to read these sacred scriptures over, and over, and over again to be
able to stay away from the adversary. I want to be a better person because of
this Book.
We've been doing all that we can to help T and
C to understand this. C often forgets to read, now I don't blame
her for forgetting when she had a pile of homework to do. Sister Corbett and I
are able to bare our testimonies about the divinity of the Book of Mormon to her
and teach her why God commands us to read and study the scriptures. She wasn't
at church this Sunday... I have hope and.
LOT of faith that she will be baptized at some point. I
know she knows this church is true. She sees how happy it makes her friend who is
a member of our Ward. I know that they feel the Spirit as they love the Word of
Wisdom. They're good girls, and I love them SO MUCH!!
Poor Y. He's having a lot of medical problems, but
he's holding in there. When we were on
exchanges the other day we read 1Nephi with him. Let me tell you, the Spirit
was SO strong hearing him read the chapter heading in English. I was in awe of
the Spirit. After he read the heading he said " I read, but no not what it
says!" So we explained it to him. The funny things is, and the Spirit was
growing stronger, a storm came and drove us out. Literally it was crazy!
Sister Morgan and I were soaked from head to toe. I know
Heavenly Father is looking out for Y.
We have been doing a lot of finding. We have a deep,
strong desire to see these people progress. Sometimes agency isn't my friend
because these good people end up telling us to not come back. I have faith that
as long as I invite everyone to be baptized on the first lesson that at some
point someone will be baptized.
This Gospel means a lot to me. I was asked to beat my
testimony at MLC and I walked about thinking and feeling that I had so much
more to say about our Savior. My words can't even begin to express just how
much love I have for Him. I know He lives and loves everyone. He is my brother
and dearest friend. Through Him I can have a better relationship with our
Heavenly Father. They answered Joseph's humble prayer. Through him Christ's
church was restored to the earth and the Book of Mormon teaches us of our Savior's
doctrine. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God. I have read his
words and studied them in my mind and the Spirit tells me that he is. I love
our Prophet. I know that the Spirit directs him as he does the Lord's will. I
know that the Spirit will continue to teach us all things, as long as we are
willing to act.
I hope everyone is preparing for General Conference!!!
Any guesses as to who the new Apostles will be??
I don't have any.
Make this week a happy one!!
Love,
Sister Preston
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