 |
| Short walk on beach with investigator |
This last week was
pretty good. Sister Nielson and I are still working on finding those who are
interested in learning more, so it's been a little bit slower lately, but is
still going well.
We're still keeping in
good touch with Beth and Amy, who will be baptized in only 2 weeks! This
week we helped them clean their old home, studied the scriptures and continued
lessons with them, and watched the LDS General Women's Broadcast with them (and
with quite a few of the girls, Young Women, and women of the branch.)
I am thrilled for Beth and Amy. It's been bewildering to
see them grow and rely on the Savior and His Atonement over the past while,
during both the good times and their storms of life. Although we are not teaching
many people, I am amazed by their faith and example as they're
pressing forward, clinging to the rod and holding fast to their faith that they
have.
On
Saturday, there was a New England Family History Conference at the church
out in Franklin that Sister Nielson and I helped with. It turns out there
were at least 50 members and 400 non-members who registered
and came! People came from all over New England and attended workshops for all
age groups. Our Stake is focusing on working on family history and taking
names to the temple, as it seems that it is a greater focus for many members.
It's awesome to see and to help others prepare for the temple and see
individuals feel connected with their ancestors.
Speaking of which, I
received an envelope from Aunt Florene on Thursday. Enclosed was a bunch of
information on "the Mayflower Ancestry" through the Roy side. I never
knew before I had several ancestors who boarded the Mayflower, including John
Tilley, John Howland, and his wife Elizabeth. There were stories included on
their adventurous lives that I never knew about. It's a cool opportunity to
serve where they landed on the Mayflower, signed the Mayflower Compact, and
fought for religious freedom. Ha-ha to be honest I was pretty stoked out of my
mind to learn more about them and can hopefully as time goes on learn more
about those I'm related to.
Also, I enjoyed the
Women's Broadcast on Saturday night. As mentioned, we watched it at the church
with many of the girls, youth and women of our Branch. The Broadcast was pretty
different from what I expected it to be like, but I was touched to see the
choir of girls and women of all ages singing together. I hope its main
focus on how we're daughters of our loving Heavenly Father, and how we are
to embrace our differences and strengths to lift and build up one another around
the world strengthened many. It inspired me to do always strive to do better at
reaching out and showing the Lord's love for others, as well as always staying
true to the covenants I've made, both for now as the Lord's
representative and also for the rest of my life.
Sister Nielson and I
also had a great visit with Sister Blackwell from our branch. As we talked
while we had dinner together, I cannot remember exactly what we were
discussing, but she mentioned 2 top phrases she would always use for her children
and family:
1. "Are you
tearing down or building up?"
2. "Remember who
you are and what you stand for."
I decided right then I
will remember these wise words. Sometimes we may find
ourselves tearing others down through negative thoughts, feelings, or
words. At times we may even find ourselves thinking negatively of
ourselves. Instead, we can seek what is wholesome and uplifting as we reach out
to and build up one another, including those we don't know so well. We can
hold onto the fact that we are Sons and Daughters of our loving Heavenly
Father, and that we stand as His witnesses. We stand for our Savior who stands
beside us, as He is our Redeemer and Advocate. There have been many
twists and turns in life that can lead to disappointment. As for
hastening the work, it may include an increasing amount
of investigators not progressing, less people at church, or other things
which are needless to mention. However, I know my Heavenly Father does not want
me or other missionaries to feel discouraged as long as we're
doing our best, as He is guiding His work along.
The other night I
also came to a journal entry I wrote a while ago back in November, which
had some occurrences very similar to what's happening now. And, of course, I
wrote advice to myself that I needed the moment I read it again:
-Don't lose faith in
the Lord and His timing.
-People have agency.
-Remember there are
miracles we don't see.
-Think of all the
things that are going well, even if they seem so small or insignificant.
-Growing doesn't come
when we're in our comfort zones.
-Give your all, but
then know that you're giving your all, and that's all the Lord expects.
This advice may not
only be applied for other missionaries serving around the world (including the
all-time hard worker I'm giving a shout out to--Elder Roy) when discouragement
comes, but for anyone who may need a little boost. :) I know this upliftment
was not from my own thoughts, but most definitely from the Lord to lift me up
at that difficult time, so I find no problem in sharing it. And, not to
mention, the journal entry after that one consisted of many miracles that took
place, so as always, faith precedes miracles.
I love you all and
want to hear from you! Tell me about your lives even if you think it will bore
me!
Love,
Sister Roy
P.S. #1 I cannot wait
for General Conference.
P.S #2 It seems like
Josh is using the scriptures from my letters each week in his letters.
Just saying...jk, it just means they're good ones. :)
 |
| the Founding Father's Monument |
No comments:
Post a Comment