"If I get tired of walking, I can always run.": Week 23
(Disclaimer, Sarah sent a
separate email to me with this picture saying, “Its getting to hot in Florida,
I had to cut it. She is a stinker) Mom I sincerely appreciate your love. But I
didn't cut my hair. He-he.
Now when the summers I've
heard so much about come.. that might change things.
What a wonderfully
exhausting, spiritually fulfilling week it 'twas. So first for some typical
mission related stories and then I will get to my commentary on Conference.
So okay, we found a
couple new investigators this week,
One, her name is T. We
had a return appointment with a former (someone who used to see missionaries) but
he wasn't there. So we went to this other formers house that lived near by. (Side
note: Because it is Florida, nearly all our formers if they were over a year
ago have moved.) So anyway this former has moved also, but the new lady there
was like "Oh I've been looking for a church!" So she let us in and we
taught her the restoration. She seemed slightly overwhelmed by the concept. But
she said she would be glad to read the Book of Mormon and find out for herself.
Still cool though because people never invite you in on the spot.
Another one was an old
former from like 6 years ago. (Shocking she does still lives in that house)
She's from Haite and she said the missionaries just stopped coming by because
she was so busy. So I'm excited about her.
I'm trying to be much
better at following the spirit, on the spot. But sometimes it's scary. We went
to a member’s house and then went and tried to see a couple formers down the
street. They weren't home so as we were walking down the street back to our
car, three houses stood out to me. The moment I looked at them I remembered
when we came to this member’s house for dinner the three same houses stood out
to me, but I didn't knock on them and I can't remember why. So we got in the
car. And as I said I'm trying to follow the spirit. I remember just thinking,
"That's probably not the spirit, it's just that the houses are in front of
me and every time I look at a house I think I should knock it." And then I
swear to you as clear as can be a voice echoed in my head. "Are you
going to listen to me or not?"
I said to my companion, I
think we need to knock those 3 houses.
So we did. First one, not
interested at all, second, not really. The third one, this lady came out and we
talked to her forever. She said she hasn't found a church, she sees elders all
the time and always wondered what they did.
I don't know what will end
up happening with her. But it was definitely a lesson I know that I needed to
experience. …To really listen to the spirit and be obedient. Not to question.
We got to go to the temple on Friday! It was glorious. I miss the
temple so much. I just didn't want to leave. We did someone's family names.
Mine was.... Sarah! : ) I thought that was just such a tender mercy. I don't
know why it just meant a whole lot to me. And then in President Eyring’s talk
he said "When a name on a card seems like more than just a name." It
was really cool because that's how I felt. I felt the connection. Not just by
our names but by spirit.
 |
| We were a little bit exhausted after when we accomplished our weekly planning. |
CONFERENCE! Was sent from above. Seriously. Saturday session we
watched at the church. We're not aloud to watch it at member’s houses, but we
also can't be in the church without priesthood. Thank goodness (small miracle) some
random couple from Ohio was there. But it was freezing.
 |
| Sister McCullough and I trying to stay warm and being dumb |
The Sunday sessions we watched two different places. The first session
was at the church. Again a miracle. Some guy from Chicago was there. And our
investigator L. T. came with us! She loved it. Seriously she was raving, she
thought all of it was so cool.
The Sunday afternoon session we had to end up watching it at a
member’s. So of course we chose my missionary family, the Sampsons.
And get this I've had really bad knots in my back. So she gave
me a massage while I watched conference. Can you imagine anything better?
Okay so
I have like 16 pages of notes.
Few things I loved. Brother Brough - "Tolerating bad
behavior without correction is false compassion." Woah. If we love people
we want them to be their best.
I loved President Nelson’s council to follow the teachings of
Jesus Christ and studying them. Something really stuck me with his talk was the
intensity. Or I guess the desperation we need to have for answers we really
want.
Elder Holland of course is amazing as always. "Come as you
are, but don't plan to stay as you are."
I loved, loved, loved Brother Sabin's talk. New motto of my
life: "If I get tired of walking, I can always run." And so so much
more that I can't possibly all write.
It seemed to me a lot of it was not looking at others. Stop
comparing. Stop criticizing. Look to God. Look to Christ. Focus on what
matters.
I know with all the certainty of my heart that they are our
leaders and that our prophet and apostles are called of God. I have no question
about it. I'm thankful for the opportunity it's to "Preach what I
Practice." Sister Sorensen
Also. Sister Bromley came to service day this week with us and
it was so so good to see her. Seriously it was like seeing Kate or something.
Much needed.
