Hey y'all!
On Tuesday,
we had an amazing lesson with Angelica. After the numerous times we've
explained it to her and testified, she finally understood the need for a
restoration to the earth of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ
and His church and priesthood! She had observed many evidences of why
this was truly the path God wanted her to take, but she kept waffling on
it- she hadn't been reading or praying about the Book of Mormon, and
she didn't understand its importance. She had also been feeling guilty
about living with her boyfriend Jeff, and not praying or studying the
scriptures as often as she used to, and she could feel it weakening her
spirit. She yearned for the Spirit. We spoke of feeling the power of the
Holy Ghost before baptism verses having the gift of the Holy Ghost
received after baptism by someone holding the priesthood. We spoke of
receiving a witness of the truth of the Book of Mormon, which would mean
that this is truly Jesus Christ's church. So as we were reading the
last paragraph of the introduction of the Book of Mormon, she exclaimed,
"I understand now!" What sweet words to hear!! She went on to say,
"These really are the last days; in the Bible, it talks about Christ's
church being restored to the earth, and many people are looking for it,
wondering, 'when is it going to come? His church will be here again.'
But you're saying it has already happened! Why doesn't everyone know
about this??" She committed to begin (again) reading the Book of Mormon.
It really is the key!
The next day, I was on
an exchange with Sister Anderson while Sister Crosby was in Niceville.
Before our dinner appointment, Angelica texted us asking us to come over
as soon as possible, and that she needed our help! We went over, and
she was visibly a bit shaken. Satan had been working on her again, with
discouraging and negative thoughts, because she is so close to having
the joy of the restored gospel in her grasp. Man, I hate Satan!! So in
response, she had been reading the Book of Mormon and praying basically
all day long, seeking for peace and answers. And she had been finding
it, but she still needed help. Her boyfriend Jeff (he's the member she
lives with- well, did, but I'll get to that in a minute) hadn't been
talking to her, and she was stressed about what to do. She just wanted
to have the Holy Ghost with her, and always. She cried and cried, and we
comforted her as best we could, reminding her of God's love and His
promised blessings to her. Then she asked the question that every
missionary dreams of hearing: "When can I be baptized?" We told her that
in order to be baptized, she will need to move out of Jeff's house to
keep the Law of Chastity, and to trust in God's will and timing, that He
would prepare a way for her to keep His commandments by being baptized.
We left in good spirits, feeling hopeful and overjoyed! It might take
some time, but eventually it was actually going to happen!
Friday
we had our next lesson scheduled with Angelica at the Baltimores' home.
We were so excited! We had confirmed with her the night before, gave
her the directions, and we were set. We arrived, but Angelica wasn't
there. We called, and she didn't answer, so we hoped that maybe she was
driving. But she never came. So we had a lesson with the Baltimores. We
got in contact with Jeff, who said that Angelica has moved out of his
house to her friend's house, who lives in Destin 30 minutes away. And
her phone has been turned off since Friday, most likely to avoid contact
with Jeff, but it has also cut off contact with us... so please pray
for Angelica. Sorry this email is super depressing, but this is the
biggest thing that has happened this week. :( I do, however have hope
that she will be okay and that it will all work out somehow. Everything
happens for a reason.
On a happier note, we
went to visit Camen, a less active sister in the first ward, and her
neighbor was over, who is not a member. She is interested in meeting
with us!
Also, Lorraine from 2nd ward picked a quite date to have quit smoking by, and she's super excited about it!
Also, our senior couple missionaries moved in this week! The Swapps from New Mexico. They're great!
Aaaaand,
yesterday Ashley and Dylan Vankerckhoven had us over for dinner last
night- a Cajun sea food boil! Crawfish, shrimp, sausage, also potatoes,
corn, artichoke, mac n' cheese. It was SO GOOD! Cleared out my sinuses,
too!
My spiritual thought this week is about
repentance. In Elder Rasband's talk, "Repentance: A Joyful Choice," he
said, "Even as we feel godly sorrow for our actions, when we choose to
repent, we immediately invite the Savior into our lives. As Amulek
taught... 'if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately
shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.' We can
feel godly sorrow for our actions and, at the same time, feel the joy of
having the Savior’s help." I love this! As I have sought to believe and
act upon this promise, I have felt more hope. We don't have to wait-
the Savior is right here. He is doing this work with me! His work! I
have recognized the good that He has done through me so far on my
mission, the lives I have helped change, the lessons I have learned, and
the person I have and am becoming. I am working on developing high hope
for what I can accomplish with God for the remainder of my mission. I
want to keep running hard every minute. I am better understanding who I
am, and who I can become, and it is motivating. It can motivate you too!
Crawfish!!
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