This week was yet another good one, this area is amazing and really starting to take off as we put a lot of effort into finding the elect. They are definitely here to be found! We picked up 5 new investigators this week, which is way more than any other single week of my mission! One that we are really excited about is a woman named Pam. She requested a Book of Mormon in August but never got it because when the missionaries came by to deliver it she wasn't home and her husband told them he didn't know what they were talking about because she hadn't told him that she requested one. We got in contact with her by mass texting all the contacts in our phone and inviting them to our ward Christmas party. We were able to stop by yesterday and deliver the BoM to Pam and hear her story. She has had a rough couple of years and doesn't feel welcome in the church that she was raised in anymore. There are also teachings in that church that she doesn't agree with and so she stopped going and is looking for a new church to attend where she can feel welcome. She is excited to start reading the BoM and sees our coming to meet with her as a sign that God is reaching out and trying to help her know His will.
Something that has been hard this week is that one of our investigators that was doing great (Conner) texted us yesterday saying he feels like he isn't ready for all this change in his life. He didn't give a specific concern, he just said it was hard to explain, and he needed some time. I was wanted to text him back immediately and solve all of his problems, but I couldn't find the words to say. As I searched the scriptures and prayed the only impression I got was not to say anything. That my trying to address his mysterious concerns without more insight might do more harm than good and so we should just give him a little space. I don't know how that is going to turn out, but it was a good reminder for me that when there is nothing more that I can do I can leave it in the Lord's hands. My mission scripture is D&C123:17 which talks about cheerfully doing all things that lie in our power and then standing still with assurance that the Lord will take care of the rest. That is my vision for my mission, and yesterday was a good opportunity to practice that trust in the Lord.
We had an all mission zone meeting/Christmas devotional choir practice on Tuesday. It was awesome! It was so fun to see everyone! It was a very interesting experience having zone meeting in one tiny classroom, because all the zones had to do it in one church building but it worked out! We sat in little primary chairs with 2 chairs, space for the aisle, and then 2 more chairs in each row going all the way to the back of the room which was long and skinny because it was two classrooms with the divider pulled back. It felt like we were on a school bus! Fun stuff :)
Sister Gattud is great! So much of what we do is new to her, but she is a champ at just going with it! And she is flippin hilarious! I'm going to attach a list of funny moments we have had so far :)
I am so grateful to be serving a mission at this time of year. I thought it would be hard and I would be super trunky and missing things at home, but it hasn't been too much of a problem! It just doesn't get much better than this! There are hard times, and some frustrating moments, but it is such a privilege to be a representative of Jesus Christ during this season when people are so much more inclined to have Him in the front of their minds. I am grateful for my testimony, and I am grateful for each day that I get to add another drop of oil to my lamp of preparedness for the coming of the Lord. It becomes more clear each day that these are truly the last days, and the battle between good and evil is very real. I am grateful for my lifelong commitment to give everything I am to the cause of righteousness. It can be an overwhelming burden at times, but then I remember who it is that I am yoked with. (Matthew 11:29-30) And then I remember what an honor it truly is.
We watched the Christmas devotional yesterday at a member's house with a less active woman that they are helping to fellowship, so that was awesome! It makes such a difference when people are willing to open up their homes like that to help people feel welcome and have a great experience!
I love you all!
Sister McConkie
Part of our zone singing Christmas carols while we waited for our
train in the Newark train station a couple weeks ago during our temple
trip. Mormons. What weirdos!
Something that has been hard this week is that one of our investigators that was doing great (Conner) texted us yesterday saying he feels like he isn't ready for all this change in his life. He didn't give a specific concern, he just said it was hard to explain, and he needed some time. I was wanted to text him back immediately and solve all of his problems, but I couldn't find the words to say. As I searched the scriptures and prayed the only impression I got was not to say anything. That my trying to address his mysterious concerns without more insight might do more harm than good and so we should just give him a little space. I don't know how that is going to turn out, but it was a good reminder for me that when there is nothing more that I can do I can leave it in the Lord's hands. My mission scripture is D&C123:17 which talks about cheerfully doing all things that lie in our power and then standing still with assurance that the Lord will take care of the rest. That is my vision for my mission, and yesterday was a good opportunity to practice that trust in the Lord.
We had an all mission zone meeting/Christmas devotional choir practice on Tuesday. It was awesome! It was so fun to see everyone! It was a very interesting experience having zone meeting in one tiny classroom, because all the zones had to do it in one church building but it worked out! We sat in little primary chairs with 2 chairs, space for the aisle, and then 2 more chairs in each row going all the way to the back of the room which was long and skinny because it was two classrooms with the divider pulled back. It felt like we were on a school bus! Fun stuff :)
Sister Gattud is great! So much of what we do is new to her, but she is a champ at just going with it! And she is flippin hilarious! I'm going to attach a list of funny moments we have had so far :)
I am so grateful to be serving a mission at this time of year. I thought it would be hard and I would be super trunky and missing things at home, but it hasn't been too much of a problem! It just doesn't get much better than this! There are hard times, and some frustrating moments, but it is such a privilege to be a representative of Jesus Christ during this season when people are so much more inclined to have Him in the front of their minds. I am grateful for my testimony, and I am grateful for each day that I get to add another drop of oil to my lamp of preparedness for the coming of the Lord. It becomes more clear each day that these are truly the last days, and the battle between good and evil is very real. I am grateful for my lifelong commitment to give everything I am to the cause of righteousness. It can be an overwhelming burden at times, but then I remember who it is that I am yoked with. (Matthew 11:29-30) And then I remember what an honor it truly is.
We watched the Christmas devotional yesterday at a member's house with a less active woman that they are helping to fellowship, so that was awesome! It makes such a difference when people are willing to open up their homes like that to help people feel welcome and have a great experience!
I love you all!
Sister McConkie
Part of our zone singing Christmas carols while we waited for our
train in the Newark train station a couple weeks ago during our temple
trip. Mormons. What weirdos!