This week has been a great week! Our week started off with an explosion--literally! On Tuesday morning we were making breakfast and it was cold so we were making some hot cereal and hot chocolate and all of it blew up all over the microwave. Then we had an explosion of revelation during our personal and companionship studies. Then we had an explosion of papers--Stake Correlation (missionary paper work to help us work with the large areas more effectively). Then we had an explosion of laughter as we laughed about the absurdity of our morning. Then we had an explosion of pumpkin--the pumpkin that we had in our apartment from Halloween exploded and we had quite a mess to clean up. We also had another explosion of laughter as we related our day at dinner to the other missionaries. Overall, we just had a fantastic exploding day as we also received 3 referrals (recommendations of someone who might like to speak to the missionaries) from a member. The rest of the week has been an equal adventure.
We also were in the Primary (church children’s auxiliary) program in the branch. Hermana W and I were in charge of playing all of the songs and singing in one of them. We didn't find out any of this until about 5 minutes before church started. So, we have become very grateful for the ability to sight read and to play the piano. I also have become very very grateful for a companion that can also play the piano. It went very well and the sweet testimonies of the children touched the hearts of the congregation and the investigators that were there.
We are continuing to work with the people in our branch and are seeing them gain a desire to come back to church. How wonderful! This past week a large family came to church for the third week in a row. This time one of the grand-daughters, J (our investigator) stayed for all 3 hours of church and loved it! We are seeing her mother also have a desire to come back to church and learn more and more. Little by little the chapel is filling up with people and I am beginning to see what the Lord's vision is for this area right now--to strengthen the members. We are accomplishing this by doing the family mission plan with the members. As we have been doing this family mission plan, we have been able to see a change in the members--they are now having a desire to help their families come closer to Christ and they are realizing the simple ways that they can help their friends have this desire as well. It is truly amazing!
This week we set another baptismal date! Well actually, he set it for himself. One of our investigators--R, went and talked to the President of our branch and told him that he wants to be baptized this month. They set a date for the 24 of November! Now we just need to make sure that he is completely prepared for that day. It is amazing what miracles happen in missionary work! F and J still have baptismal dates for the 30 of November and J is all ready to be baptized on that day--she is very excited!
We went and did harvest blessings on the first street that came to our minds--one that did not logically make sense for where we were, but we soon found there was a reason that we went there. We met 2 men and a woman outside of their home who were very open and willing to talk to us. Years ago they knew some friends that were members of the church and had very many questions about our beliefs. That morning during companionship study we had practiced teaching a lesson in 5 to 10 minutes in a street contact. As we talked with these men and this woman we were able to be prepared to answer all their questions in an orderly manner. We ended up teaching almost the entire first lesson just standing outside and talking to them. We can't wait to go back and see them again! I know the Lord puts prepared people in our path. He puts prepared people in the paths of prepared missionaries. I now understand more than ever the importance of companionship study every morning.
I love you all so much! I am so grateful for all of your love and support. One scripture that has really helped me this week is 2 Nephi 32:9 . I know that through our prayers we can access to heaven and heavenly help and guidance. How grateful I am for prayer!
Have a wonderful week! Espero que todo esta bien con ustedes! Como estan? Ustedes siempre estan en mis oraciones! Tengan un buen dia y una maravillosa semana! (I hope you are well. You are always in my prayers. Have a good day and a marvelous week.) Los quiero mucho!
Love,
Hermana VanWie
Hermana VanWie
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