I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!!!!! I cannot begin to describe to you my feelings bout General Conference and the chance that we have to listen to the inspired leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Tuesday we had a stressful morning with William. He called us and informed us that he just didn't believe and didn't want to meet with us anymore. After a long conversation on the phone we were able to talk about some of his doubts and concerns and he agreed to meet with us on Wednesday.
After talking with William we were able to go teach Allean and invite her to watch Conference this weekend at Sister Caine's home. Unfortunately she wasn't feeling well yesterday so she wasn't able to make it.
Wednesday morning we had a Zone meeting and it was a lot of fun because some of the Sisters and Elders I have served with in the past are now in the same zone! It's the best! Sister Crane is also in the same zone.
At lunch we got a text from William saying that he had to cancel, so we ended up going to Wake Med Hospital to visit the two young women who were in a car accident last week. One was in ICU with a lot of injuries, and the other has broken bones but is doing pretty good. It was so nice to be able to see them and their families and to see how the girls were doing. Now one is home and the other has made it out of the ICU. There have been a lot of blessings pouring out on these families and it is amazing to see their testimonies being strengthened in this time of need.
After visiting the girls we went to a less active member's home because she wanted us to teach her six year old son. We taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We asked him to jump from one end of the room to the other in one jump and he just looked at us and said "I can't!" Then we used each of the components as a stepping stone to be able to make it across the room to symbolize getting back to Heavenly Father.
Thursday was weekly planning and coordination meeting with LOTS of phone calls... that about sums up the whole day.
Friday we got a text from William asking us to call him. Once again he told us that he didn't want to meet with us because he can't believe things that we believe. But after another very long conversation on the phone he said we were able to "persuade" him to meet with us that evening. When you find someone as amazing as William to teach, you don't just let them walk away!
That night we had a lesson with William and Sister Kirkpatrick. It was AMAZING! We talked about faith and read Alma 32:21 & 27-28
" 21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me."
With that in mind we talked about how we need to try living a principle of the gospel in order to know it is right. We invited him to go one week without drinking coffee and he was excited to do it! From today until next Monday he has told us he will not drink coffee, and if he needs something, he'll just drink hot chocolate instead. I know that as we follow the words of the prophets and keep the commandments we will be blessed in ways we never thought possible! I am so excited for William this week!
Right after our lesson with William we went to dinner at the de Camara's home. Their children are VERY musically talented! They have a 16 year old son who plays piano (even though he has never taken a single lesson), acoustic and electric guitar, and a lot of other instruments! He is amazing!
Saturday we watched General Conference at the church in the morning (or here it is at 12) and then went to the Robinson's home for the second session and dinner. Sunday sessions were watched at the church and then at Sister Caine's home. In every session we watched we wished that William was there watching it with us because it answered so many of his questions and was what he needed to hear! He had his son this weekend though so he wasn't able to watch any of the sessions.
Yesterday was also Sister Zoolakis's birthday! So we celebrated a little bit, but today we are buying her favorite ice cream to really celebrate it right!
I love the gospel. I love being a missionary. I love the Savior, Jesus Christ and I know that He loves each and every one of us!
Love,
Sister Shurtz
No comments:
Post a Comment