Happy fall, y'all!
I've learned a lot this week. Sister Harrison and I have been working harder than ever to be guided by the Spirit to those people who need us the most. However, one thing she and I have felt prompted to do is get the members of the Brandon ward (that we attend) more excited about missionary work.
Now, I won't delve into details about that, but I do want to share how crucial members are in conversion, fellowshipping, and faith-building. More often than not, people who need the gospel have people placed in their lives who are disciples of Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father does this on purpose! If you're a member, think of all the nonmembers you know! Are they struggling? Questioning? Are they lost? If someone came to your mind, tell them about the gospel! And if you aren't sure how, well, that's what you have missionaries for! Missionaries love it when members approach them with referrals and questions. We can't do everything ourselves -- so we need you! (Just imagine me as Uncle Sam...) Also, bear in mind that missionaries, while they may be living a different life than you are right now, are still people. In fact, they're basically kids. I have said many times that I am a fake adult. Legally, I am an adult, but actually? It's hilarious anyone allowed me to grow up. Help the missionaries feel like they're part of a family; they want to get to know you, help you, and show you the beauty of the gospel. They don't want to eat all your food and demand referrals. Promise!
As we went throughout the week, we tried our hardest to get members present during our lessons. One member in particular named Sister Mullin is a total firecracker when it comes to missionary work! She was converted thanks to her husband (who is also totally awesome) and ever since, she's been so excited about helping us missionaries do the work. She's so helpful! It's crazy! She's helped the people we talk to feel far more at home than we ever could ourselves.
We met a lot of amazing people this week. A couple in particular come to mind. The first was a woman we met while tracting. She was sitting in her driveway with her husband, who was happily sipping away on a beer. They were happy to talk to us when we walked up. The husband mostly had questions about what we were doing, why, and if we were safe in Flowood (which, we are!). As we kept talking, we bore testimony of the Book of Mormon. As we talked, the wife, whose name is Rhonda, looked at us and began asking us questions about what we believe. As we kept talking, we set up an appointment with her. She said she wanted to strengthen her faith and be a better disciple of Christ. She said, "I want to get to the point that y'all are at: where I can go and preach the gospel." Which is just beautiful to me. I can see the seeds of faith have been planted in her soul, and we can't wait to help her grow them.
We met another woman named Debra, who seriously changed my life in five minutes. She was working on her yard and preparing it for fall, which meant cutting the grass, moving plants, and preparing her trees. She was so sweet! She taught me an amazing lesson about work. She taught me that if you see work as work, that is all it will ever be. Find the good in your work -- what do you like about it? Use it as your therapy. Allow some time to talk with God while you work, and your life will change, and your attitude will be better. As I've been doing that, I have been able to see that change. Given, my work requires that I strive to be close to God at all times, but sometimes that's a challenge (actually, most times it's a challenge). Going out and tracting and doing the work has become even more fulfilling than it has been since I've begun that!!
Debra also gave us a beautiful testimony on Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. She said that faith is like a seed (which is in the book of Alma! Chapter 32, check it out!) and that we have to nourish it and let it grow through Christ. As we talked, she said she felt impressed to share that that night, she was supposed to be at her bible study class. She felt like she wasn't supposed to go and decided to work on her yard instead, and now we showed up, and she firmly believed that we were sent to her to minister to her. I can attest to that, too, my dearest friends! Missionaries are called of the Lord, and He knows His sheep better than we do. He knows that we're supposed to be here, at this time, ministering to these particular people.
In 3 Nephi 5, it reads, "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life."
Coincidentally, we in the MJM are required to have this scripture memorized. No scripture so plainly describes my purpose as a missionary than this one does. I am a disciple of Christ, and He has called me to the wonderful world of Mississippi to declare the word of God which has so beautifully touched my life. I can't wait to share it with the people God has prepared for us! I hope y'all do the same and share how the gospel has blessed your life with those you know, especially now that we are getting into that time of year where everyone is very family-centered, service-driven, and full of love. Share what you know plainly, and the Spirit will testify of its truth. Rejoice in the simple truths you know of the gospel. What do you know to be true?
Lastly, did y'all watch General Conference?!?!! I know I did! Funny story about it, actually.
Sister Harrison and I have these super cool neighbors in our apartment complex. They're the nicest people ever, I swear. We made them cookies and talked to them for a while, and now they're like really good friends to us. After one Harvest Day, we came back to our apartment and realized Sister Harrison's bike tires needed some air. After consulting with the elders earlier that day, we found out that our tire pump was broken! We ended up asking our neighbors if they had one, and Don, the dad in the family, snagged his and pumped up Sister Harrison's tires and carried our bikes up the stairs to our apartment without us asking! Who does that?!
After thanking him, we told him about General Conference and he said, "Oh? They broadcast it? Y'all don't have a TV! Come over to our place and watch it."
COOL, RIGHT?
So Saturday morning rolls around, and we head over to their apartment. Don is in the living room, and we assumed (never do that) that his wife was in the back of the apartment. (Now, just so y'all know, missionaries cannot be alone in a house with one person of the opposite sex. It's a safety precaution.) Don couldn't find byutv, so he'd pulled the livestream up on his laptop and said, "I'm going to go to Best Buy and get an HDMI cord so we can watch it on the TV." Before we could protest, he was out the door, and we soon discovered that we were totally alone in this apartment.
We tried to figure out how we were going to address this situation, when suddenly the Internet stopped working. I texted Don and told him what happened, and he came rushing back and figured out that all of the devices in his home didn't have Internet anymore! He said this never happens and that their Internet provider is pretty trustworthy. We decided that we'd watch the rest of Conference at a member's home who had invited us earlier that week. We apologized, and the moment we left the apartment, his Internet was back up and running.
Divine intervention much?
So, that's my funny story for the week! Did y'all watch General Conference? If so, what was your favorite talk/quote/message? Why? How can you share that with someone you know?
Love y'all! Have a happy fall! Godspeed!
Sister Rose
PS - PHOTOS Coming in another post today! Don't miss them!
PS - PHOTOS Coming in another post today! Don't miss them!
(A note from Maddy's Mom: if you'd like to email Sister Rose, her address is madelyn.rose@myldsmail.net. She can read and respond on Mondays.)
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