Last Week

September 20, 2012

OK, I just got back from the best lesson that Elder Belo and I have
ever taught. The guy's name is L.. He's that 42 year old marine
that I've been telling you about. He's got the biggest laugh in the
world and he's really, really kind despite his big burleyness. He's
had some issues trying to wean off coffee. But today we were planning
to just talking about the doctrine of Christ. Some how we tied in the
Word of Wisdom as an example of how we endure to the end and prepare
for baptism. We were really teaching by the spirit. We were showing
him the why's of the gospel, not that these are just things to do in
our church, but how we honestly come closer to Christ by doing them. I
feel like Captain Moroni right now when he was talking to Amalikiah I
think when he said, I can't remember what I've said but I know that
the Lord will fulfill the words of which I said... or something along
those lines. We really taught to his needs and when we felt that we
needed to address something Elder Belo said every time that we switched
off he felt that he had something specific to say, but as I was
speaking I already said exactly what he was feeling to say. It was
amazing. The Spirit was truly there.

As for the rest of the last week we've had a huge boom. It was about
Tuesday last week when we went tracting in an area after L.
canceled on us because Grimm was setting up to film in his house. we
decided to just stay in his area. We tracted for probably a half an
hour and the place was just dead. It even FELT dead spiritually. so I
commented to my companion "Is this where we feel we need to be?"
instantly he said "No." So we said a prayer on the corner of the
street asking for direction. When we were done Elder Belo said "I just
have the feeling we need to walk." So we did. every block or so I
would ask "do we feel like here is the street and then we would both
answer "no" we walked a considerable distance. we walked over "the
cut" (aka where the train rails cut St. Johns in half)  and he said,
let's pick up where my last companion and I stopped. So we did. We
were able to actually talk to half the people on that street. One guy
even gave us some plums after we testified of Joseph's first vision.
(they don't taste that great) He said he wasn't looking for a religion
though, that he was content with his Catholicism and we went on our
way. we found a less active family who is super nice, but best of all,
we found R. She's the mom of 3 children. When we knocked on her
door she immediately said come back on Friday. So we did. She was busy
Friday, but she said come back Monday. So we did. and I knocked on her
door 4 times because we could hear the TV going and she said "why you
no use doorbell?" and I said "I did... twice." She invited us in and
we had a very good lesson of the Restoration. She's currently reading
Alma 32 and we'll meet back with her on Saturday. Her thing is that
she doesn't want to go to church, but she was very intense about
agreeing with everything we said. She has a strong testimony of the
true principles of free agency and praying in faith. She was so
intense about agreeing with us that she cut Elder Belo off when he was
saying Joseph's words describing the 1st vision. She said "I believe
that a 14 year old could see a pillar of light because he prayed in
faith." and hen she rambled on for like another 10 minutes and the
entire time I wanted to scream "Wait, there's more!" It was very funny
to us.

I guess my story is that the Lord guided us last week. We found the
person who was more than willing to listen to us because we were
willing to ask and submit our will to His. There's something
interesting about all of that though. As a brother in our ward was
telling us last night, it is easier to steer a moving vessel than one
at rest. We had already been moving. We had already been trying. But
when we sought for the Spirit, he led us step by step, block by block
till we got to R's house. I am so thankful for His guidance and the
work that he does THROUGH us. We are the tools in his hands. When life
gets dark and gloomy, and you feel like God isn't answering your
prayers, look around you. Look at the people that are around you? how
have they been supporting you? How have YOU been supporting THEM?
That's something that Christ taught us. When we are put in situations
that we want to be selfish  and turn in to our inner desires for
gratification, instead turn outward and serve others. If you do, I
promise things will be easier, and the Lord will bless you. I testify
of this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.