Saturday night we taught Kim again. We had taught her last Monday night, and we taught her part of the Plan of Salvation, this time we continued to teach her part two specifically everything after life here on earth. When we started we asked if she had read Alma 32 which we asked her to read last time. She said no, but then replied that she instead was reading through Alma 40 and she had many questions about it. The great questions: What happens after you die? What is the purpose of this life? What is resurrection? When she asked about Alma, I knew that the Lord lead her to this so that our lesson would make perfect sense to her and that we would be able to know just exactly how to answer her questions. The lesson went by very smoothly and it was also great that her kids were there. We had invited her to come to church @9 with us last week and at the
last minute she said she wasn't feelin up to it and said she would try next time. After concluding with our lesson we invited her again, and explained to her how big a blessing it would be for her and her family. She was very hesitant, and asked her kids if they were up to it. Her son, who is only 13 said to her they had to go. And he gave her the puppy dog face to go, and was able to convince his little sister to go to. And really it was the children who were able to convince her to say yes. We were so HAPPY after that we were able to present a great lesson with the spirit, and be able to address her needs and concerns about life after earth and about our church. We set up everything; a ride to come pick her up, a wake up call so they wouldn't sleep in, and people in the ward to fellowship her and her family.
Daylight savings was way nice, doesn't make sense why we have it, but we were able to get 1 extra hour of sleep! Which was of course just a tender mercy of the Lord. When we got up Sunday, we were happy, and
when we headed to church we had a good meeting with the WML and discussed how members were going to really step up and help go on teachings with us.
After we stood by the doors and greeted all the members who were coming in, one by one. Anxiously waiting to see Kim and her Family come in through the doors. It was almost 9 and that's really when
everyone came in, and that's when we saw the family we asked to pick up Kim. The wife came up to us, looking teary eyed and said "she just couldn't make it." :(
Salvation is not easy. Life is not easy. And I curse all the movies that make it seem like it is or like it could be, ha. Reality is a slap in the face. But you know later on through the meeting, because it was Fast Sunday, I boldly went up to the pulpit and bore my testimony of this Gospel.
We are headed into a season of gratitude: Thanksgiving and soon Christmas. Seasons of love and family. I am grateful for the family I have, I am grateful for the support I have been given not just on my mission but throughout my life.
I've come to be extremely grateful for the teachers I had in High School, my history teachers, my English teachers, my science teachers, my teachers in church and seminary, and especially my choir teacher. All the things I've learned up to the mission have now almost all become applicable in teaching, studying, understanding, and building my testimony and strengthening others in the Church.
I'm grateful for my Savior and his endless Grace. and I am so happy to know that he is my Brother, and my advocate in everything. I'm grateful for this restored gospel, it all makes sense. These days here aren't all great, but it's the ones that are that are making it count here on my mission. And I know that when I baptize
someone for my first time, all the bad days will be gone. I'm so excited to do that. :)
I'm beyond happy to hear of all of the things going on in the SLC. I don't miss the cold, but I do miss the snow. And I miss the mountains. Down here it is beautiful, and warm and very sunny especially today.
I'm happy to hear about your Halloween, we had a rule we we have to be indoors in our apartments by 6, so we did not get to trick or treat, but we did get to just kinda take it easy and I wrote letters and updated my journal. I do wish we got a pumpkin to carve, maybe next year. The ward Halloween party was the night before Halloween and that was really a great turn out, and it was great bonding with the members down here. I do like this ward, and in a lot of ways they remind me of my home ward because they are all so strong together and the friendships and fellowships are really good.
I do miss the ward, and I send y'all my blessings. Tell the Bishop that the bishop here reminds me a lot like him, only he's black he-he. But really a great guy and really down to earth.
Best of luck to you Avery Black! I love that you are working so hard to achieve something that most girls in this country can't do. You are an inspiration to me and to many of your peers. I'll let you know that I'm getting fat... well I seem bigger... but I may let myself go for the winter... we'll see on turkey day.
I love you guys so much and I wish you the best for this new week!
Good luck with the snow, stay warm!
-Elder Black
last minute she said she wasn't feelin up to it and said she would try next time. After concluding with our lesson we invited her again, and explained to her how big a blessing it would be for her and her family. She was very hesitant, and asked her kids if they were up to it. Her son, who is only 13 said to her they had to go. And he gave her the puppy dog face to go, and was able to convince his little sister to go to. And really it was the children who were able to convince her to say yes. We were so HAPPY after that we were able to present a great lesson with the spirit, and be able to address her needs and concerns about life after earth and about our church. We set up everything; a ride to come pick her up, a wake up call so they wouldn't sleep in, and people in the ward to fellowship her and her family.
Daylight savings was way nice, doesn't make sense why we have it, but we were able to get 1 extra hour of sleep! Which was of course just a tender mercy of the Lord. When we got up Sunday, we were happy, and
when we headed to church we had a good meeting with the WML and discussed how members were going to really step up and help go on teachings with us.
After we stood by the doors and greeted all the members who were coming in, one by one. Anxiously waiting to see Kim and her Family come in through the doors. It was almost 9 and that's really when
everyone came in, and that's when we saw the family we asked to pick up Kim. The wife came up to us, looking teary eyed and said "she just couldn't make it." :(
Salvation is not easy. Life is not easy. And I curse all the movies that make it seem like it is or like it could be, ha. Reality is a slap in the face. But you know later on through the meeting, because it was Fast Sunday, I boldly went up to the pulpit and bore my testimony of this Gospel.
We are headed into a season of gratitude: Thanksgiving and soon Christmas. Seasons of love and family. I am grateful for the family I have, I am grateful for the support I have been given not just on my mission but throughout my life.
I've come to be extremely grateful for the teachers I had in High School, my history teachers, my English teachers, my science teachers, my teachers in church and seminary, and especially my choir teacher. All the things I've learned up to the mission have now almost all become applicable in teaching, studying, understanding, and building my testimony and strengthening others in the Church.
I'm grateful for my Savior and his endless Grace. and I am so happy to know that he is my Brother, and my advocate in everything. I'm grateful for this restored gospel, it all makes sense. These days here aren't all great, but it's the ones that are that are making it count here on my mission. And I know that when I baptize
someone for my first time, all the bad days will be gone. I'm so excited to do that. :)
I'm beyond happy to hear of all of the things going on in the SLC. I don't miss the cold, but I do miss the snow. And I miss the mountains. Down here it is beautiful, and warm and very sunny especially today.
I'm happy to hear about your Halloween, we had a rule we we have to be indoors in our apartments by 6, so we did not get to trick or treat, but we did get to just kinda take it easy and I wrote letters and updated my journal. I do wish we got a pumpkin to carve, maybe next year. The ward Halloween party was the night before Halloween and that was really a great turn out, and it was great bonding with the members down here. I do like this ward, and in a lot of ways they remind me of my home ward because they are all so strong together and the friendships and fellowships are really good.
I do miss the ward, and I send y'all my blessings. Tell the Bishop that the bishop here reminds me a lot like him, only he's black he-he. But really a great guy and really down to earth.
Best of luck to you Avery Black! I love that you are working so hard to achieve something that most girls in this country can't do. You are an inspiration to me and to many of your peers. I'll let you know that I'm getting fat... well I seem bigger... but I may let myself go for the winter... we'll see on turkey day.
I love you guys so much and I wish you the best for this new week!
Good luck with the snow, stay warm!
-Elder Black