It's been an AWESOME week!!! So excited to tell you all
about it.
What a week! I probably won't have enough time to tell you
everything so I'll try and be quick and give you the highlights.
After district meeting we met a less-active to have lunch
and teach him. On our way to the car we met a man named Green. He has had such
a rough life and made some wrong decisions. As we testified and taught about the
power of the Book of Mormon and the Atonement of Jesus Christ tears fell down
his cheeks and we saw his true desire to be clean and draw closer to the Lord.
We forgot we were in the blazing sun in the middle of a parking lot. So cool!
The Spirit was pretty powerful.
Wednesday we had dinner with a less-active. Her husband
isn't a member so we were able to talk with him and he expressed interest in
learning and meeting with us. After so many years apparently it's quite the
change.
Also, this sister, Robin, had invited her friend, Heather,
and her two-year-old son to join us for dinner. So our less-active is already
doing missionary work and trying to help others! But it doesn't stop there. The
branch had an ice cream social Saturday night and Robin invited Heather to
come. Which she did and then as they left Heather asked, "So church starts
at ten tomorrow?" We answered yes and she responded, "Ok. See you
tomorrow!" She came for all three hours and loved it! She had some questions,
which we cleared up when we saw her later that day. It was the easiest lesson
we have ever taught. She just wanted to know who the Holy Ghost was and what
was repentance and what she needed to do be baptized. It was incredible! As we
talked about baptism we asked her what she thought about it. Her answer was,
"Well, I just feel like getting this show on the road!" We explained
that she could be ready as soon as she wanted. We extended the date for
September 30th but explained if she felt she was prepared earlier, or even
later, then we could move it. We told her she could be baptized on the ninth if
she wanted, Her response was, "Well, because I'm just starting I want to
be respectful and I don't want people to think I'm joining just to join a
church but because I understand everything and it means something to me."
We taught her about prayer and the Book of Mormon. She expressed a desire to
begin reading it that night and never miss a day. We told her how it answers
all the questions she was asking and then some and that a power and love and peace
would come into her life that she had not experienced before. She also asked how
she would know it was the Holy Ghost and how she would receive her answer. It
was just amazing!
Another less-active is also doing missionary work. She
brought with her a friend and then we were able to begin teaching her that
night. She has a lot to overcome but she is searching. When we gave her the
Book of Mormon she held it close to her chest as if it were very precious and
dear to her. Something she had treasured for a long time.
Also, we went to check up on and try to begin to teach a
couple really solid potentials. The first, before he even said hello he told
us, "I'm meeting with my co-worker on Tuesday to talk with him about the
church." We kind of blinked in surprise and said, "Oh good!" He
was really busy so we set up another time to come by. The following potential
opened the door and saw the Book of Mormon in Sister Thomas' hands,
outstretched his hand and asked, "Is that for me?" Imagine our
surprise once again before we could even ask how he was doing he followed-up
with us. He too was busy but told us to keep trying. That one-day we'll meet
up. His final words were, "Persistence pays off so keep trying."
Another miracle is with a less-active family that we try and
see each day. We haven’t' really gotten to know the son to help him receive the
priesthood. This past week when we go by he actually will say hi and talk with
us for a few minutes. Their father is almost ready to go to the temple. The
greatest miracle this week was yesterday during sacrament meeting. Max, the
son, actually came to church! And the two daughters were there for the
sacrament. But the best part is their dad blessed the sacrament for the first
time in a long time. As I heard his voice pronounce the blessing of the bread
my eyes filled with tears and my heart swelled with joy. It was amazing!
Oh! About exchanges with the sisters in St, Helena, Sisters
Punaa and Riddle. It was really good! I was with Sister Punaa here in Rio
Vista. We saw some miracles of the Lord putting people in our path at the right
time. We found a man who had just moved in and he and his wife are looking for
a church. We haven't been able to contact them again but we're still trying.
Sister Thomas and I had a really neat experience with the
Atonement working in our own lives this week. We had some things that were
holding us both back and in a sense worrying us. We didn't realize we even had
a burden until we did a quick activity Sister Thomas thought of. We decided to
write down all our questions, concerns and everything that was holding us back.
All our worries. We put that paper in an envelope and sealed it with a note to
not open it until a few months after our missions are completed. The peace and
joy that filled every fiber of our beings was incredible! My testimony of the
Atonement increased immensely! I love it!
Just one more thing. I love my life! The gospel is amazing!
The Lord loves us and He is very much aware of each of us. Sister Thomas and I
marvel every single day and every moment of every day at the many miracles we
see and at our many, many blessings. Our joy is SO full! We are amazed at the
blessings of the Lord and seeing his hand in His great work!
This week was amazing!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I might need another SD card :)
Forever love,
Hermana Stephenson
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