We had a pretty great week here in Prune Hill!
We taught two different seminary classes, which was super fun! I always loved seminary, so it’s awesome to be able to go back. I think the teachers really appreciated us as well, because they are struggling keeping the attention of the kids this late in the year, and we were able to get them energized and laughing early in the morning.
We also finally taught a lesson to one of our new investigators this week! It was probably the most meta conversation I’ve ever had, though. This guy is an awesome, super deep thinker. He studies a bunch of philosophers and has lots of questions, which we did our best to answer. We’ll see what happens when we go back to teach him next week!
Another fun thing that happened this week was going to a Relief Society activity, where we did speed friendshsipping! I love the sweet sisters in this ward and it was a really great way for us as missionaries to get to know them in an informal setting. Sometimes missionaries come across as intimidating even to members of the church, so it’s nice when we can befriend the members and show them that we’re just normal people and that they can trust us. Member trust is huge because people aren’t going to trust us with their friends to teach if they don’t trust us!
Anyway, we were supposed to have a lesson with another new investigator this week but he wasn’t home, so that was a pretty big bummer.
But it’s okay, because our weekend was super awesome! Elder Finley organized a huge service for one of his investigators on Friday night! The zone worked with a bunch of non-members to clear trails on her horse ranch, and then we had a bonfire with hot dogs and s’mores. He also organized a fireside of sorts, so we had musical numbers (I did one, of course haha) interspersed with spiritual thoughts and conversion stories. It went together really well and I hope all of the other people there could feel the Spirit! If nothing, it was a welcome break from the insane amount of finding time we have per day. It is really hard for us to think of new ways to find when nearly every door has been knocked and there is only one tiny park and zero stores in our area.
Anyway, Saturday was a wonderful day as well. We went to Luz and Anthony’s baptism!!! I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to teach them and I know their lives are going to be so blessed by this next step they are taking. I got to see Ali again at the baptism, and he just told me all about how much better his life is! He found the connection with God that he was missing and longing for, and I can see how much it’s changed him and given him a happier perspective on life. That eternal perspective changes everything! It doesn’t mean that things won’t still be hard and painful sometimes. But when we know that a loving Heavenly Father sent us here to learn, that He sent His son and the Holy Ghost to guide us and allow to return back home one day after everything that we have learned, life seems so much easier to bear and so much more joyful! We are not meant to be downtrodden and miserable. Heavenly Father only wants us to learn and build relationships as we help others, then we can go home to Him and live with our families forever! That knowledge has blessed my life for as long as I can remember, and only does so more the more I learn about God’s plan for us.
I had a great Sunday as well. I always love fast Sundays and I felt the Spirit testify to me often throughout the meetings. I also met a returned missionary from PR who was visiting the ward! It was so cool to talk to her! Sister Schott is convinced it was a sign that I’ll be going soon, I honestly have no idea what will happen haha. All I know is that I’m trusting Heavenly Father to put me where He needs me to be. I decided a LONG time ago that I would serve Him anywhere and in any capacity, so I will go where He wants me to go. Something that’s helped me a lot during my mission is the talk, Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good. I’ll attach a link because I think everyone should read It! I testify that as we continue trusting in God, He will help us become who we are meant to be through all of our trials. Have a fabulous week!
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2017/11/sunday-afternoon-session/do-we-trust-him-hard-is-good?lang=eng
Love,
Hermana O’Barr
