MORE MIRACLES

Hi Everyone, 

It's been quite a week!  :-)
First of all, on Monday, we went over to Boston. We had perfect weather that day--not humid, nicely warm with a breeze. We walked from the huge stake center at Cambridge across the bridge to Boston, and alongside the crazy city streets.

Cambridge Stake Center by Boston.  It's 3 stories tall and has a parking garage underneath.

We went to Mike's Pastries, which is a popular tourist attraction. (I thought it was okay and worth going to once but nothing beats Sweet Tooth Fairy) :-) We also went to Quincey Market, where they have a few shops for tourists. It was a good day and someday we will get to go back and see what other things Boston has to offer.

Boston skyline

Fennway Park (where Boston Red Sox play)

Enjoying P-Day in Boston

Later that day, Sister Gledhill and I were able to eat at the Fox's home and pull through with a past promise she and Sister Bringhurst made--to make an awesome fort. I was up for the challenge, and it turned out to be awesome! Wendy actually loved it and couldn't stop laughing. She is Catholic and her ex-husband used to be LDS, but she still is open to our teachings. Inside the fort we turned on some flashlights and taught how we can all follow the Savior's teachings of being a light unto others, and all discussed how we can exemplify Christ's light by doing good works. 

the awesome fort we made

 Sister Gledhill and I have been witnessing miracles beginning to emerge. For instance...

We have a new investigator! Jose is 12 and part of a family who we are trying to bring back to church. Jose agreed for us to teach him to help him along the right track to baptism, so we are looking forward to teaching him starting this week.

A member from our ward, Sister Shearer also called, telling us how the Vinjas family, whom she's been working with, are gaining interest in the church. Their mom told her how she feels she needs something more in her life and wants for her family to be taught. The dilemma is she is not sure how her husband will take it, so we are praying for them.

Sister Shearer also mentioned how Megan, whom she's been working with, was invited to come to church and is looking forward to it, on top of reading the Book of Mormon.

Sister Gledhill and I ran into "Brother Jack" at the library once again. Sister Gledhill met him at the library when she first came into the mission and he came to her, asking if she was a nun. She explained she is sort of like a "Mormon-nun" and they both laughed, and he introduced himself as Brother Jack. Last time we saw him we forgot to get his number (face palm) but each time we run into him he greets us. He is Catholic and is looking forward to us teaching him tomorrow.

In addition to these awesome happenings, we had Zone Conference this last Friday. I absolutely loved it! We stayed at the Worcester stake center (sounds like Wuhster) from 9 to 5 for lessons and workshops. We had the privilege of hearing from President and Sister Packard along with Clayton Christensen, the author of "the Power of Everyday Missionaries."  Let me tell you, Clayton Christensen is very tall and a genius. He had a stroke while teaching not too long ago and is having to relearn English, (I learned back in one of my Communication Disorders classes at BYU how that happens more than we'd think),  but he continues to teach at Harvard. After Zone Conference, President Packard told how Clayton Christensen just got back from England, as he met with the Prime Minister, and was recently interviewed by Neil A. Anderson. The lessons he taught were powerful and the spirit was very strong.

Now, I also want to briefly tell about another miracle I see coming about. At Zone Conference, I got very giddy as President Packard taught about "the Digital Mission" we are beginning. I was blown as I found out our mission started this and got the approval from a couple of the apostles, and that they thought it was an excellent idea. Several missionaries here were assigned to set up a portal, where articles from all around the web are brought in, focusing on religious subjects. We will be able to search by topic and comment under the articles, sharing our beliefs and linking website addresses to blog articles, which include personal experiences to answer many questions the world faces today, which is what I'm about to explain...

So on top of the portal, a new website is being developed called reallifeanswers.org. Since a lot of people are searching online for answers and don't know where to find them, this website will provide a way to connect with people from the church and read testimonies and personal experiences to give them a better idea of what we believe. Since people often go to mormon.org to find out who Mormons are, this is to help them understand what we believe. We are getting the word out by having members type up stories, having non-members read them, then sending them to be proof-read by assigned missionaries before posted. The goal is to get this website as well-known as possible to help people receive answers and comfort in their lives for when they are wondering who God is and why He allows us to go through hard times, how we can have faith everyday, our purpose in life, how we go about each day facing relationships,  and more. I have such a good feeling about this project. If anyone wants to write a personal story for this website, you can write it and send it to mbm.digital.mission@gmail.com to be proof-read then posted for the world to read. I can send out a few pages to whoever wants one with more details. (Mom, can you, Josh, Brandon or someone post a link to reallifeanswers.org on my blog page on the side of my layout to get the word out?)

Gueriline's Mini Birthday Party!

The other day, Gueriline invited us over for dinner! Sister Gledhill and I got a kick out of it, but we were thrilled. She also invited the Elders to join. Her birthday was also approaching so we decided to turn it into a celebration before another big lesson. We also had Sister Shearer come with her son (for the Elders to come, another male would have to be present), since Sister Shearer is a recent convert. Right as we came to Gueriline's, we saw her friend Amos there and we were nervous. To briefly explain, whenever we had been to Gueriline's for the past while, he was there and when we would teach Gueriline, he would throw some difficult questions at us, defending the Bible, since he was taught to be a preacher and knows it by heart. We were nervous that he would dissuade what Gueriline learned from us. However, I almost wondered if the Lord had him there for a reason, but didn't see much hope in an opportunity. He did not seem to like us and as soon as the Elders and us arrived that night, he hopped in his car and sped off. However, Gueriline immediately called him, insisting he would come back. He did, and was a little quiet.

After enjoying the food that Gueriline bought--Costco pizza, wings, chips fruit, salad, and much more--we all went into her living room. I felt very good about the lesson that was about to take place, as we wanted to teach her more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the specific covenants we make when we are baptized, and set a baptismal date with her. As we taught the spirit was so strong. However, Amos kept throwing questions at us every now and then. It took me some time to realize he was no longer trying to 'prove us wrong,' but questions were flooding his mind as things were making sense. We explained to him more of the Book of Mormon, and how it does not replace the Bible. As soon as he started bringing up the authority that we use to baptize, Sister Gledhill jumped in, telling how we were running short on time, but we could teach him more through the lessons. He is excited to have us or the Elders teach him!

I had to ask for forgiveness from the Lord after this experience. I learned even more how our loving, Eternal Heavenly Father, never gives up on his sons and daughters. He knows us by name. He knows who we are and of our great potential. I didn't give Amos much of a chance, but as the spirit bore witness to him that night, I saw how patient the Lord is with us as he draws us nearer to him. I am so grateful for this lesson that I learned that night.

Line of the week: "Welcome to Boston, where people drive as well as they say nice things to you."-Elder Rushforth

Much love to you all!

-Sister Roy