Fwd: Mirrors, One in Four, and Mountains to Climb

Date: Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 11:48 AM

Subject: Mirrors, One in Four, and Mountains to Climb

All Yall,

So guess what? Miracles happen! Here's a neat one we found last night while looking at last week's numbers. 

Because of meetings and an abundance of appointments, we only had 6 tracting hours and 28 contacts this week. But of those 28 contacts, 7 became new investigators! That means one in four people we talked to became new investigators!! Last week we averaged about one in forty becoming new investigators, with 76 contacts and 2 new investigators. I see that as an example of the Lord's generosity, and a testimony that he can place as many people in our path as He pleases. Last week required much endurance; this week, we reaped the blessings of it through finding.

Training Sister Hawkins has been a joy, with ups and downs, of course. I feel like a parent watching their kid get a shot; it's uncomfortable, painful, feels lots longer than it should be, and I can remember going through the same thing. But I can't do anything to lessen the pain. I just know it does get better if you hang in there. Missionary work is a difficult adjustment, and she's felt discouraged, inadequate, and the temptation to just quit. But she received a Priesthood blessing yesterday that gave her comfort and reassurance, and she seems much more at peace. She is a gifted teacher, real, sincere, and works hard. She amazes me! There are rocky points ahead, but along with the difficult climb, an incredible view. We are so blessed, and the low points just make the high ones that much better.

Another miracle! On Wednesday, we invited Jeff & Georgina to be baptized-- and they said yes! They are on date for September 27th. They hit it off with a member that came, Sister Giggey, and we're hoping to have dinner with them in the Giggey's home this weekend. They were a little intimidating to teach because they were a little hard to read; but Georgina told Sister Giggey that she's missed the peace we bring to her home, and that she'd told her mom over the phone how excited she was to keep meeting with us.

One high point during the lesson was when we taught that Christ's Church has been restored after centuries of being lost. I described Christ's gospel like a mirror. When Christ formed his church, it was perfectly organized and in place, with the complete gospel, like a complete mirror. After Christ left the earth and His apostles were killed, the people were wicked and didn't want the gospel anymore, so God took the power to lead God's church off the earth; the mirror shattered. 

For centuries, people scrambled to gather as many pieces of the shattered mirror, or truth, as they could find. Some pieces were lost, some people had more pieces than others, and some were wicked and deceitful and really didn't have any of the pieces. Basically, that perfect mirror could never be put back together again perfectly, with the same flawless reflection as when Christ originally formed his Church. That's why a restoration (complete renewal), not a reformation (putting the pieces back together) of Christ's Church, was needed. And that's why God called Joseph Smith, at a young age, to be a prophet-- to be an instrument in bringing Christ's Church back. When we asked Jeff and Georgina what they thought of Joseph Smith's story, Jeff said, "It looks like the mirror got put back together again." Yes! He got it! I felt the Spirit strongly while we taught this lesson, and I look forward to seeing their happiness increase as they learn more about living Christ's gospel.  

The Foster family (several teens) seem to be at a standstill. They love the gospel, when they read they love it, but they have a hard time keeping commitments. I'm striving to be patient with their progress; I need to walk with them instead of trying to pull them along. Shaqkeem just came up to me here at the library and told me how his glasses (fashion function only) demand respect from all who beheld him. I love that family. :D

We had an adorable encounter with some neighborhood kids. One night we were going door to door and met a couple 5th grade girls on bikes. A few minutes later, three barefoot little boys came dashing down the street yelling for us to stop. "We heard you were saying something about Jesus!" they panted. When we told them about the history of the Book of Mormon, one boy said, "Man, I wish I could have that book." We said they could have a copy under the condition that they promise to read it, and they eagerly nodded their heads in agreement, as though it were buckets of candy at stake. After sealing their promise with a pinky swear, they ran off excitedly holding their Book of Mormon. I don't know if their parents will call, but it was a sweet seed planted.

Have a wonderful week!

Sister Taylor