Dear Loved Ones,
This week we saw many amazing things that took place before
us in our lives each day.
First off finding. This week we made a goal to pass out 14
pass along cards with a testimony, 2 Book of Mormons in unique ways that were
unexpected, and 5 Ensigns of the recent General Conference. The Lord blessed us
with those that were ready to receive these precious gifts into their lives.
An amazing experience we had was we were walking the streets
and walked pass this one smaller road that went off this main road and we both
looked down it and saw a group of little grandmas sitting on lawn chairs in a
circle. I can remember Sister H saying, "You in the mood to crash a
party, or does it look intimidating?" I remember we looked at each other
and just smiled and said, "Let's do it!"
Two amazing miracles happen as we walked up to these
daughters of great worth. First, as we began to talk with them a lady with a
girl in a wheel chair were going passed us and Sister H pointed out to
the lady and girl in the chair that it said the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints on the back. As we talked to them for a moment, we ended up
getting their number and invited us to come by anytime.
After we finished talking with them we went back to
the group of ladies and asked if we could show a short film with them. We ended
up showing Because He Lives. I just remembered that as they all gathered around
in their chairs to see the little dvd player Sister H was holding, it was
a landmark moment that I will remember for the rest of my life as a reminder of
why I am here on a mission. As I watched the faces of these women, I felt that
this is what Missionary Work is all about, giving people an opportunity to have
them get to know their Savior.
We had an amazing experience with a less active member. We were walking down the street a few weeks back and I saw her and
stopped her and said Hi. She hadn't been coming to church for more than 6
months and I just felt that I needed to invite her to do a lesson with her. She
totally agreed and so this last week we finally got to meet. As talked with
her, I saw how great her knowledge was in the Gospel and noted how she she sees
how the gospel has taken a huge impact in her life and that as of late, she has
noticed the difference it makes in her life.
The spirit and wisdom that was with bore witness to me that
we don't know right off the bat who the Lord is preparing for us and where they
are at in their journey of life down the path of righteousness. That is why it
is so important that we talk with everyone and ask that if they know of anyone
that might be interested in the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their life.
Worked with another woman this week in Preach My Gospel and saw
how she is has been studying the scriptures so diligently everyday with prayer.
Had an amazing lesson with twin sisters and their mother we
have been teaching we got this week. We have been
seeking ways how we can relate the Gospel to these girls' lives. I remember one
companion study we were praying together and felt that the Plan of Salvation
was what they needed at this time. As we planned their lesson the spirit guided
it and as we went to teach it, the spirit was there again taking it step by
step.
And it was the first time that we noticed that it was the
first time we felt that their knowledge was being expounded upon. It was a
really cool feel. Like a muscle was being stretched. I know this is the same
for each of us. We are so blessed to have a Savior who is so merciful and gives
us plenty of opportunities to learn and grow and stretch.
Two amazing Active Lessons we had this week were with another two women. One asked to do a lesson with us and so the day came and
as we went into the room two other members came into the room and joined us as
well last minute. One of the members has been struggling with his testimony and
I knew that the Lord was guiding him to be in the lesson we had prepared for her.
The funny thing that we noticed about the whole situation
and noted it afterward was that they were all totally different in personality
but in the end with the spirit and the gospel, they were all special to their
father in heaven. I felt the spirit testify to me personally that these were
the precious members of the church here that were going to keep this ward
moving forward and that they were preordained for this role at this time. They
were sent here to help the people of this area. Knew that they knew each other
before this life and knew what they would be facing them.
With another woman, we had a awesome lesson with her at her home. We
went into her conversion story and how she came into the church. Her story just
inspired me that no matter how long it takes, the Lord is always waiting for us
to come unto him. He is so patient! But as we taught her and she taught us, she
began to speak of members of the ward that have become less active and I can remember
that as we began to talk about how as we reach out to others, we are blessed
incredibly. Well as the lesson went onward the spirit guided the whole
lesson and as we walked out of that lesson we found a window of opportunity of
doing lots of less active work with her and had even planned to go to a lady
the next day that she would show us were she lived.
I remember by the end of that day Sister H and I just
felt the spirit was just with us and we felt that we really did all that the
lord needed us to do that day. As Elder D called us for how our goals went
for the day, we talked about our success and the goals we had planned for the
next day and I can just remember him asking us, "Are there any plans for
tomorrow that you don't feel 100% confident about will go through?"
I remember looking at the schedule and saw the less active
lady's name planned and felt that was something that we didn't feel was 100%.
As we told him, he then asked if we could say a prayer together over her name.
As I did so, I felt the spirit guided my words as to what I needed to ask for
as we were on the phone. Once the prayer ended Elder D mentioned an
impression he had received during the prayer, "There are others that she has to give to you. So just keep working with her."
It was a witness to me that the Lord knows who is in need of
his love and his grace in their lives and has felt trust in us to do his work.
This week as we met with another woman. We showed Because of Him
and after she watched it, she had wiped away her tears and said such a sweet
and simple statement: "It says here at the very end of the video, 'Find
Him', but all in all... I have found him." I remember her eyes lit up and
a warmth about her that gave a deeper witness to us of the conversion that is
taking place in her life.
A cool experience street contacting this week as a group
while showing bible videos that the church has been coming out with. There was
a woman sitting a bench watching the film we were showing. I walked over and
sat down and began to talk with her. By the end of the conversation I found out
she had been taking the missionary discussions in America but she has been here
for a bit but will be going back soon. Her English was pretty good but she
mentioned how the missionaries had to get sections translated into Albanian. I
then asked her if she wanted to get more thing Albanian before she goes back.
She said she would love that and so we then began to plan a time to meet again
so we could give her a few things to help her understand the gospel more. It
was yet another witness to me of how God places people into our paths.
An unique experience I had this week was at a baptism we had
this week was with this couple and as I watched the wife getting into the
water, I felt the spirit fill my soul and felt that the Lord was pleased and
that I felt there was words that almost said as, "Well done." That
they were meant to be found. It brought tears to my eyes realizing how each
person matters to our Father in Heaven.
In the end though, the biggest thing that I got out of this
week was with our Lesson we had with another woman. She is one of our Recent Converts
that got baptized two months ago. She has seriously blossomed with the Gospel
and has taken deeper interest in the knowledge of the Gospel. This last week we
challenged her that she was going to teach us the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That
she was going to be teacher and us the students. She right away accepted the
challenge. Yesterday during our lesson with her she taught with power and saw
firsthand the spirit working through her strongly and was so astonished by the
power of her testimony that was throughout the lesson.
But the part that stuck with me the most was a question that
Sister H asked, "So what happens if we don't repent?" I
remember that the woman looked at first a little lost but then looked determined
and was quiet for a moment and finally said, "We Then don't take his name
upon us." We both were completely shocked at home straightforward she was
but realized that what she said was true.
The finally thing that stuck with me from her lesson was
when she shared how when she first took the lessons a year ago she wasn't
really interested and that she felt other things took first priority and moved
the gospel stuff off to the side; She noticed that the Lord was still
protecting her and watching over her and blessing her because he knew of her
faith that she had in him.
I know this is true for each of us. Our Lord and Savior is a
merciful one and that all that he does is for us because we matter to him!! I
love this gospel and all that is provides for us. As we take up his name!
Keep Being that Beacon of Light!
Motra Bezas
Motra Bezas got pretty sick this week
One of the members with sick Motra Bezas
