This week was one that I'll never
forget; it's been one of the most tiring but rewarding.
Not much happened on Monday and
Tuesday, but on Tuesday night, Sister Packard asked Sister Patterson and I if
we could help out with the lunch for all the missionaries at MLC. However, once
we got there, we found out the lady who was going to be there was sick and
couldn't make it. So at that point, Sister Patterson and I were in charge of
preparing a large BBQ meal. Holy smokes I don't think I've ever had to handle
so much pulled pork and beans before. A tradition that the mission has is that
before the missionaries start eating, they all stand and sing "Love one
another" to the people who prepared the meal. After Sister Patterson and I
were tired from rushing and trying to prepare the food, they all stood and
sang. It was pretty neat.
This week we had more appointments
fall through, and we hadn't heard back from many who we were trying to set up
appointments with. We've had to drop more investigators, as there are some
whose families do not want us to meet with them (one potential had a sign on
her door that read "NO PROSELYTIZING), some who do not want to meet
anymore, and other who have been taking a slower pace. We are still there for
them if they want us to teach them and are glad that we could "plant the
seed." Luckily, we are still teaching Jose, and we are still so blown away
by his diligence, his example, and how he is bringing his family back. We
cannot wait for his baptism on November 23rd. :)
There came a point where I became
discouraged, but knew I had to get up and try again. Let me tell you, November
9th was one memorable day. Sister Patterson and I went throughout the day,
which started off slowly, but as time went on, we noticed miracle after miracle
taking place. It was absolutely incredible. We didn't have any appointments
set, except for one that night. We made stop by's and they were actually home.
There was a point where we were at Walgreen's to pick up some medications, and
I suddenly said, "Let's go see if their almonds are on sale!"
(Whaaa?? That was weird...) So before seeing if the medications were ready, we headed
to that aisle, and there was a lady we hadn't seen the whole transfer since she
wasn't home, and we set up an appointment to see her. On the way to another
home, the Elders offered to order us pizza and have it delivered, and even more
tender mercies took place.
Our only appointment that night fell
through, so we decided to make a couple of visits. Both were not home, so then
Sister Patterson had the thought that we should go tracting. Knocking on doors
is our last priority in the mission and it's usually the most ineffective, but
we decided to try anyway. The first couple of homes didn't work out well, so we
continued on. However, as we about reached the next home, a dad and his two
daughters stood at the opened door. We introduced ourselves, and offered to
share a message on Jesus Christ and how families can be together forever. The
dad then turned to his daughter, and asked what she thought. "Sure!"
she responded, and we were let in.
"Whoa! Hold Up!" I
thought. "This isn't happening!"
From there on, we were in discussion
and got an idea of who they knew God was, and we taught them how God is our
loving Heavenly Father, and that he loves each of them more than they could
comprehend. They mainly speak Spanish, but one of the daughters helped
translate what we were teaching. We asked how it made them feel to know they
have a Heavenly Father, who loves them for all that they are, as we could see a
new light come about them. The daughter who spoke better English held a smile
as she took in how much our Heavenly Father loves her. We then shared how the
gospel blesses families, and asked how the knowledge that they can be together
forever made them feel, which they said made them feel really good. They
couldn't stop beaming. We asked if we could come again, and we set an appointment
for this upcoming weekend. As soon as we said goodbye and Sister Patterson and
I stepped outside, there was nothing we wanted to do but embrace each other and
soak in what just happened.
That right there was one of the best
feelings. We've worked hard. We've been tried, rejected and forgotten by many,
but never forgotten by our loving Heavenly Father as he poured his tender
mercies and miracles. Words do not serve justice for how we felt at that
moment. It had been a very rough week for both of us, and we were at a point
before where we almost had nobody to teach, but we were led to those who may be
yearning for the knowledge and the good news that the gospel brings.
I know that times can get rough, but
that those trying times help us grow stronger and in the ways our loving
Heavenly Father knows is best for us. If we are willing to seek the ways he
blesses us, even if they seem small or insignificant, he will pour them out and
help us recognize them more fully.
Have a great week!
-Sister Roy
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| A sketch of me by Sister Patterson |
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| Sister Patterson is a gifted artist |
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| Our English Class |
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