We had a really great week this week. It was like we saw one miracle after another. The Lord really blessed us.
On Tuesday night Rycca, Nick, and Dylan all went to the Primary/Mutual activity. It was awesome because we’ve had such a hard time getting them all to the church and they finally went. It was so easy. We simply just asked them if they wanted to go and they were like “of course!” It was so cool. The young men and young women put together lots of little games for the primary and everyone had a lot of fun. We were so excited about them actually coming and enjoying themselves.
(Sister Thomas and I, the Bishop and his wife prior to a competition. I told them it wasn't quiet dignity, but they still made me do it.)This week Sister Thomas and I decided to really focus on finding. Not just tracting but doing smart finding. We decided that we needed to work more with members and part-member families. There are so many people in this area that need to be united with their families in the Gospel. I swear, a lot of these part-member families have been contacted by missionaries countless times but you never know if it will only take just one more time or just that certain missionary. You'll never know until you try. So many people say things like, "those people have been tried so many times. Visiting them might be pointless and a waste of your time." Well, we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father and we all chose to follow Him before this life so you never know if they will accept it again if you don't ask.
One of the people we decided to visit was this man named Jerry. I'd met Jerry before but it was during NASCAR so we didn't really get a chance to really talk. Like I always say, the Lord's timing is perfect and it definitely was perfect this week. We got to Jerry's house right as he was trying to kill a rattle snake.
His wife wasn't home and he said, "Sisters I have a rattle snake! Run and get your cameras!" He wanted us to take part in this experience with him. So basically after we took a lot of pictures he informed us that he had killed countless snakes during his life and that he thought that one of us should have a chance. I decided that I would do anything to win the trust of a potential investigator so you guessed it, I killed the snake with his garden hoe. The whole time he was saying "harder Sister, harder."
(After I killed the rattle snake with holding my weapon),It was so funny. After that excitement he invited us to sit down on the porch and to talk with him. It was great! He totally just opened up and shared with us all about his life. At one point I said, "Jerry, I know that you've been asked this a lot but have you ever been interested in joining the church?" It was great because he was totally open and said that he had been thinking a lot about it lately and thinking about surprising his family by doing it. We told him that it was simple to get an answer if he should do it or not. All you have to do is pray. He was shocked for some reason.
So many people think that getting an answer to your questions is so hard and almost impossible but I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who wants to answer us and guide and direct us. We just have to do our part by getting on our knees and praying. It's simple. God isn't complicated. We complicate things.
Shortly after that his wife pulled up and we ended the conversation. I'm just praying that he decides that now is the time to change and accept the Gospel fully into his life. It was funny because he said that his wife brings them good luck because she's living the Gospel. Jokingly we informed him that it's time that he starts to bring good luck into their lives as well. We'll see where things go with Jerry but I'm excited.
At church yesterday his wife, daughter, and son-in-law sat in front of us. They were calling me the snake slayer and said that Jerry has told everyone about it. He even showed them pictures. I know that the Lord really does give us courage as we're trying to bring others unto Him because there is no way that I would ever have done something like that back home.
Another great thing that happened this week is that a brother in the ward called us and said that he had gone and visited with a different part-member family and invited them to take the lessons. They accepted, went to church, and we had a lesson with them yesterday. It was so simple. Candy, the girlfriend, now has a baptismal date and is excited to have her questions answered. It's amazing because it was all so simple. A man was in tune with the spirit, followed its promptings, and now someone is drawing closer to Christ. I love it!
I always think about the quote from President Hinckley in PMG. It says "So many of us look upon missionary work as simply tracting. Everyone who is familiar with this work knows that there is a better way. That way is through the members of the church..." We can go out and knock on every door in town and have zero new investigators. But when members are involved, we get so much more done.
I read talks from Elder Bednar and Elder Ballard today about "becoming a missionary" and having gospel sharing homes. Both talks taught that when we truly know who we are, missionary work is not a burden. It's one of the greatest desires in our hearts. It becomes instinctive and who we are. Missionary work is not a program but it truly is a way of life. I love being a missionary because it brings me so much joy. I know that the lessons taught in D&C 15, 16, and 18 are so true. How great will be our joy if we bring just ONE soul unto Christ. It makes everything worth it when you help others. I just love it. Missionary work needs to run through our bloods because it truly brings salvation.
Yesterday was amazing because Rycca and Candy both came to church. They're now progressing and seeing more blessings in their lives. It's so great! We are so blessed to be a part of the TRUE church of Jesus Christ. He is the only way. He is everything. As we truly come to know that our lives become easier and more meaningful. I love the Gospel. It is definitely true and makes me so happy. I hope that you all have a great week and look for the blessings that come from the Gospel. You'll find them. Look to God and Live!
Love, Sister Anderson
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