I don't really know what to tell you about this week. One of our investigators moved back into the Mesa Vista ward area so we taught her one last time this week. We committed her to continue taking the lessons from the Elders which she said she was fine with. She was just here in our area for a little bit to get herself back into health. Our lesson went really well. We read from the Book of Mormon and talked about questions she had. We also finally got her to pray. She usually asks us to pray but lately Sister Hiapo and I have been working on getting the investigators to say the prayers themselves so they can become more comfortable with it. They have all hesitated at first but each one has said the prayer in the end.
We had a lesson with our investigator Christina this week. We taught the Plan of Salvation and she said it made a lot of sense to her. She likes the idea that there is more than just heaven and hell. We have been having the elders quorum president pray to know who would be good fellowship for her and her husband so we believe we have the right people for that and we are planning on having them there at the next lesson.
We also had an incredible experience while we were doing service for a member on Wednesday. We help her with her business and one of her friends walked into the store. She saw us working and asked who we were. We explained that we were from Sister Mansur's church and that we were there helping her. She asked what church we were from and after telling her we were from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints she told us that she hadn't heard of that one. We then explained that we were mormon. She immediately got this horrible look on her face and started asking us "why?" she then said "And Phebe supports this? Oh, no!" I was so confused by her reaction. After asking her why she thought this way she asked us how we dealt with the polygamy and other things that go against everything we stand for. We quickly explained that we did not practice anything that she had just said and then she said "You do, because that guy got put in jail for all of that!" We quickly explained that he had no relation to the church. Then she mentioned that her son had been attending a mormon church and she was not happy about it. She also explained that his wife left him on Easter with their 6 month old son. At that point the story started to sound familiar.
Her son's name is Jason. We have been teaching him on and off since I arrived in Goleta. He came to church a few weeks ago and a member talked to him for a long time about addiction recovery. After this lady found out that we knew her son she completely softened. I know this was an answer to my prayers. While we had been talking to her I prayed to Heavenly Father to help us say the right things and to soften her heart. I guess us knowing Jason was the answer. She then went into detail about how he was doing. She was a little scatter brained while she spoke but half way through she told us how grateful she was for the mormon church and how much support they had given her son. She said that they have really helped him a lot to give him the strength he needs to overcome his addictions.
After a few more minutes of speaking she looked at us and said "I don't even know why I am here. I normally don't walk anywhere because I have terrible MS." She then got this look on her face like something had clicked. She explained to us that she knew Heavenly Father had brought us together and that it was no accident that she had met us. Music to our ears! We were able to teach her a little bit and invite her to church in the end. Right before we left she apologized for all of the horrible things that she had said and was so sorry that she might have hurt us. Then she realized that we might have gotten that more than once, and she felt even worse. We let her know that it was all ok and that we forgave her for anything she might have said. The spirit was so strong and it confirmed to us that we were meant to meet this woman and talk to her. We were able to get her number but she told us that we could not come over to her house because her family would swear at us and drive us away. So we decided we would call her and meet up with her somewhere. We have called her and are waiting for a response. If we don't get one tonight we will call again tomorrow.
Vicky is doing ok. Right now we are trying to decided if we should stop teaching her for awhile. She does all that we ask but there is still something missing. We are teaching her this week how to recognize answers from the spirit and if she doesn't improve or put the effort in we are going to need to drop her for a little bit.
Calling home yesterday was so great. My mom started to cry the second she answered the phone. My whole family was there and anxious to hear how the mission is going. It was hard to say goodbye but that is ok. I have eternity to see them and talk to them.
We had a lesson with our investigator Christina this week. We taught the Plan of Salvation and she said it made a lot of sense to her. She likes the idea that there is more than just heaven and hell. We have been having the elders quorum president pray to know who would be good fellowship for her and her husband so we believe we have the right people for that and we are planning on having them there at the next lesson.
We also had an incredible experience while we were doing service for a member on Wednesday. We help her with her business and one of her friends walked into the store. She saw us working and asked who we were. We explained that we were from Sister Mansur's church and that we were there helping her. She asked what church we were from and after telling her we were from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints she told us that she hadn't heard of that one. We then explained that we were mormon. She immediately got this horrible look on her face and started asking us "why?" she then said "And Phebe supports this? Oh, no!" I was so confused by her reaction. After asking her why she thought this way she asked us how we dealt with the polygamy and other things that go against everything we stand for. We quickly explained that we did not practice anything that she had just said and then she said "You do, because that guy got put in jail for all of that!" We quickly explained that he had no relation to the church. Then she mentioned that her son had been attending a mormon church and she was not happy about it. She also explained that his wife left him on Easter with their 6 month old son. At that point the story started to sound familiar.
Her son's name is Jason. We have been teaching him on and off since I arrived in Goleta. He came to church a few weeks ago and a member talked to him for a long time about addiction recovery. After this lady found out that we knew her son she completely softened. I know this was an answer to my prayers. While we had been talking to her I prayed to Heavenly Father to help us say the right things and to soften her heart. I guess us knowing Jason was the answer. She then went into detail about how he was doing. She was a little scatter brained while she spoke but half way through she told us how grateful she was for the mormon church and how much support they had given her son. She said that they have really helped him a lot to give him the strength he needs to overcome his addictions.
After a few more minutes of speaking she looked at us and said "I don't even know why I am here. I normally don't walk anywhere because I have terrible MS." She then got this look on her face like something had clicked. She explained to us that she knew Heavenly Father had brought us together and that it was no accident that she had met us. Music to our ears! We were able to teach her a little bit and invite her to church in the end. Right before we left she apologized for all of the horrible things that she had said and was so sorry that she might have hurt us. Then she realized that we might have gotten that more than once, and she felt even worse. We let her know that it was all ok and that we forgave her for anything she might have said. The spirit was so strong and it confirmed to us that we were meant to meet this woman and talk to her. We were able to get her number but she told us that we could not come over to her house because her family would swear at us and drive us away. So we decided we would call her and meet up with her somewhere. We have called her and are waiting for a response. If we don't get one tonight we will call again tomorrow.
Vicky is doing ok. Right now we are trying to decided if we should stop teaching her for awhile. She does all that we ask but there is still something missing. We are teaching her this week how to recognize answers from the spirit and if she doesn't improve or put the effort in we are going to need to drop her for a little bit.
Calling home yesterday was so great. My mom started to cry the second she answered the phone. My whole family was there and anxious to hear how the mission is going. It was hard to say goodbye but that is ok. I have eternity to see them and talk to them.
So there is this lady here who LOVES us missionaries. She found out a few weeks ago that Sister Hiapo didn't buy a blanket so we went to the store last week and bought her a blanket AND some sheets so that this lady could make her a quilt. Then we went over last night to give her a Mother's day card and she told us that she wanted to take us to costco and get us some treats for our cupboards. Sweet! Don't know if we will have time to take her up on that though. Then I she found out that my shoes were tattered and gave me a $60 pair of shoes for me to try and see if I like them. She is so funny! When she saw my shoe she snatched it so fast out of my hands and shoved her hand in it to feel the holes. Sister Hiapo and I were cracking up just thinking about how gross the shoes were and how much they must have smelled and here she is putting her face right up to them and putting her hands all over the inside. I wish you could all meet her. She is the funniest lady! When you see her you tend to think she is angry until you start talking to her and then you realize that she is actually happy and so ready to serve!...wait did I talk about her in the last blog? Oh well!
Ok, I found a quote the other day that I really liked it said " Courage is not the absence of fear or despair, but the strength to conquer them." So good!
Also I need to put in a small plug for my mom. I hope you had a great Mother's Day! I am sorry I couldn't make you any cute slide shows this time. Just so you know, I know that you are the best mother in the world and that everything I do today is because of you (well, all of the good things) and the way you raised me. Thank you for all that you have done. Yesterday when we were talking about mother's at church I thought of the stripling warriors and the scripture Alma 56:47-48. Also today in my study I read the scripture in the bible Proverbs 15:20. I thought it was interesting and pretty true actually. If we really loved our mothers we would do anything to make them proud of us and obey them. Just like with our Heavenly Father.
In one of the talks also there was a quote that says "Do your eyes light up when your children come into the room." I thought of grandma with that one and how excited she gets every time she sees us. We know she loves us just by the way she lights up when we walk in her door. And with you mom, I thought about all of the times that you would make us treats for when we got home from school. You didn't have to do that but that was your way of showing us you loved us and wanted us to be happy. I hope that one day I can be as great of a mother as you are! Thank you for your incredible example of what a loving mother should be. Love you!
Sister Skeeter
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