The
place we were emailing at yesterday was pretty sketch and the power is so
inconsistent in Sierra Leone that we weren't able to finish emailing. So
I'm sorry I had to make you wait a whole day mom;) haha!
My
companion and I have really been working hard and doing our best to sift out
the wheat and the tares. There are sooooo many people that will sit down
and listen to you just because they like to hear the word of God... I don't
think I have met a single person who doesn't believe in God while I've been
here..but Sadly, once they hear it.. they have no intent on following it. We
have found some of the sweetest investigators lately and they have a real
desire to follow Christ. My Transfer news comes this Friday and I am
really praying that I will stay so that I can finish teaching these people and
witness their baptism.
Two
of these investigators are named S**** and I****. They live at the same
house and are both married. They are both around 26yrs and have 2 kids
each. S****'s husband has been in the U.S. for the past 5 years and she
is only in contact with him every so often. He is studying.. but it
sounds more like he is "staying" to me. I don't know if I could
leave my family for 5 years... 2 years is Long enough haha! I**** is
married to a Muslim who doesn't treat her the way a man should treat his
wife. He disappears for months at a time but when he is actually at the
house they never talk. Both I**** and S**** are the smartest women I have
met while serving. I wish you could feel the spirit that was there when
we taught them about Jesus Christ easing our burdens. I wanted to cry for
them and all I could think about was how I wish I could lift some of their
weight... However, I realized that teaching them the Gospel is the only way I
can help them in their lives. Giving them anything else would be a
temporary fix. The Gospel of Jesus Christ Literally Heals deep wounds and
scars that could be filled no other way! It is the Eternal fix.
My
favorite Law of Chastity lesson was with I**** and S****. We gave them the
pamphlet and asked them to read it before we came to teach them about it.
They read through the whole thing and even wrote questions they had. This
is rare for my mission. Normally when we teach the Law of Chastity it
feels as though we are just giving them a list of things they shouldn't do...
but with I**** and S**** they really understood the principle behind the
commandment. The first thing S**** said was "I wish I was able to
learn about this earlier in my life... all the problems that I have are
because I didn't obey this commandment when I was younger." They
were able to see the truth behind the blessings that come from living a clean
and pure life. We then tied it into temples and explained the eternal
blessings that come from being worthy to go to the temple. I felt the
spirit so strong. I can not explain how grateful I am to be sealed to my
family. It brings a sense of reassurance that can be given no other
way. Even though S**** and I**** have very difficult marriages... they are
beginning to feel and know that the Savior can take away any pain.
Prayer
day was yesterday and it was very interesting. It is the end of Ramadan
so muslims all dress up nice and do a big prayer together. The thing that
I thought was interesting was how even though it is a muslim holiday...
Everyone celebrates it. I think all of our members did something to
celebrate it.. haha.. I guess everyone wants to enjoy a good time when it comes
around! The Africana (clothes) that they wear is so dope! When a
person dresses nice here they call it Bluffing.. So Bo town Bluffed Big time yesterday!
I am gonna try and bring back as much africana as possible when I come home!
I'll add a picture of Some Africana my companion bought!
Something
that has been on my mind lately is how easy it is to be a hypocrite.
Missionaries teach all day everyday about how to become christlike... but the
real test is applying it to yourself. I want to be changed.
Whenever we ask someone to do something... we better be willing to do the same
thing ourselves. Whether it be praying to know if the Book of Mormon is
the word of God... or cleaning the dishes you used for breakfast. Do we
talk the talk.. or do we wakka the wakka?? There is a quote in Preach my
Gospel that says, "You can't convert someone beyond your own
conversion" So if missionaries stop progressing... then
investigators stop progressing as well. I challenge myself this week to
see from other peoples points of view!
We
received the Liahona's for May, June, and July this last week. I LOVE
modern scripture! Every night this week I have been catching up on all
the conference talks! Listening to conference is great... but studying
conference is better! It is impossible to read a talk given by the
prophet or one of the 12 apostles and not smile! They have so much
encouragement, love, and advice for us! One way to keep your spiritual
level high is by reading the Liahona every month! I love the feelings of
the spirit:)
By
small and simple things are great things brought to pass. I have never
realized the impact of doing something before being asked until as of
late. If you want to put a smile on someones face... serve them before
they ask for your help. Also, give someone a compliment... and watch them
smile!! It is a very small thing... but it makes a very big difference.
Sorry
for all the random thoughts! but I wanted to share one last experience I
had while in a tri-monthly interview with President Ostler. The second we
started talking the spirit was so strong! I have been very interested in
personal revelation lately so I asked him how I can better recognize my own
revelations. Heavenly Father speaks to us in the quiet times.
Sometimes we don't realize that the thoughts that are coming to us are not our
thoughts. The Holy Ghost puts thoughts in our minds that if we heed... we
will experience miracles. If our lives are in line with the Gospel, then
our thoughts slowly become Heavenly Father's thoughts. I said a
couple of prayers this week that I asked a specific question.. when I
finished... I just waited and listened to my thoughts. I received many
needed answers while doing this.
President
Ostler reminds me so much of my dad.The spirit really can radiate off a person.
It made me wonder if I give that same feeling to my investigators when I teach
them.
I
love you all!
Shout
out to my favorite Nephew!!! Happy Late Birthday Bud!! Keep on keeping
your parents busy with all your energy!! You better be able to say my name by
Christmas!! I love and miss you!!
Also,
Shout out to Papa Bear and Cleo! Congrats on your Talks in church.
Pops... I heard you were out of this world powerful. I hope I grow up to
be like you! Thanks for all the love and support you give me. Give
'em Heaven! (classic Steve Crandall Quote)
Elder
Crandall the Vandal
No comments:
Post a Comment