Hey Y'all!
This week has been a little slower on the investigator side. You see, the problem with Flatcreek is that everybody works for Delta, which means in the summer and especially the last weeks before school starts, EVERYBODY IS GONE. -.- Sister Clark and I had in mind at the beginning of the week to focus on finding new investigators. . . That, didn't go too well. However, in trying to find more people, we expanded our finding ideas. :) What we decided to do on Wednesday was--you guessed it--chalk art! :D We went to the local park in Tyron with a box of sidewalk chalk and drew a huge Plan or Salvation. It was so big you couldn't fit it all in one picture! :D We were covered in chalk and sweat, but had lots of fun doing it! :D Unfortunately, that day we didn't find anyone who was interested, even when we were doing the chalk. However, the Elders decided to go take a look at it later that evening and found 2 new investigators! At least we are helping the work progress. :) 
On Friday, we decided to go about a much more conventional method of finding people. Knocking doors. We knocked from around 3:30 to 6:30, with no luck! My knuckles were so sore! -.- We only had one person who told us to come back and pray, so hopefully she will let us teach her the gospel. :)
On Saturday, we were able to help out at a Charter Elementary School that is opening up in a few weeks. Us and a big group of other missionaries along with volunteers built fences, moved furniture, painted walls, and set up a a library. Sister Clark and I worked in the Library, taking donated books and placing little pouches in the back for students to check them out. We were there for a good while, but it was lots of fun. :) The people were so grateful for the help that we offered and were so excited to see all of us missionaries there to work.
However, by Sunday, we were pretty discouraged. We had worked all week to find people, to see our investigators, and to see members, but found NO ONE! -.- However, the Lord really knows when to lift us up and help us out. :) Earlier last week stumbled across some Addiction Recovery booklets that the church put out. I looked at them and instantly thought of a potential investigator we had who said he wanted to quit drinking alcohol. This man and his wife--"T" and "J"-- were going through a harder time. "T" lost his job, and he felt the increasing guilt of his drinking problem weighing him down. When we saw him, we told them about a 12 step program that the church did for addiction recovery, but didn't know anything about it. However, we talked about the restored gospel, and they took a Book of Mormon and Restoration pamphlet, even though they said they were devout Catholics.
When I found this booklet I was excited. :) But, I kept forgetting to put it in the car and take it on team ups! So on Sunday, I noticed the booklet sitting on the table. We decided to go take it to them. We were only able to see "J", but when we gave her the booklet and told her we would find out more about our program she was very touched. She looked about to cry! She hugged both of us and thanked us repeatedly. It was such a sweet moment. :) We talked with her more about how we would be willing to go through the program with them too, and that to help them understand more we would like to teach them more about the church. She agreed and we set up to come by for our first visit on Saturday! It was amazing to see how the Lord really prepared this family. He put them in a situation that humbled them enough, then sent His missionaries to help them. I look forward to teaching "T" and "J" and helping "T" to overcome his addictions.
This experience showed to me first-hand that the Lord is in this work. He doesn't let any effort go wasted. Even if it feels at that time that maybe he isn't hearing our prayers or seeing our efforts, His work and His blessings will come. It took us a whole week to finally have success, but we did. The Lord answered my prayers to find someone who is prepared. He will guide us and lead us to in everything that we have. So, even if you are in the middle of a huge trial, and maybe you don't feel like the Lord is listening to you, or even realizes how hard you are working, or praying, I promise you that He is listening. He will bless you, so hang on. Hold on to the promise and hope that he gives us in the scriptures. Hold on to the words of the prophets and apostles. And don't give up, even if it feels like that's the only option left. The Lord will be there, and He will rescue you. Keep your faith, and most of all, don't forget that you are a beloved child of God. :)
Y'all Southern Bell,
Sister Welch
 |
| Becca said this moth was about 4 inches! |
No comments:
Post a Comment