I heard a story about a missionary companionship who were teaching with a member and they testified of the exact same principle but when the member spoke it left the investigator in tears, feeling the spirit change their heart. They couldn't figure out what the difference was. They were obedient. They could speak the language. They had studied the mission skills inside and out. What was missing?
One of there mission leaders told them 'If you want the Holy Ghost to be your constant companion you have to purify yourselves. You can't do this on your own. You are going to need the Help of The Lord.' He challenged them to make a list of everything holding them back from being the ultimate tools in his hands even the smallest things and each night for 40 days take the list to the Lord and report how is has been coming. If they failed? Tell the Lord and ask for strength the next day.
Now prideful little me over here is thinking 'I am obedient.. I already broke up with the world. I am on a mission aren't I ? I follow the rules. I obey the commandments. I am good. ' But sometimes I think we put all our sacrifices on the buffet table and say: Okay Heavenly Father pick one. But we always keep that one little thing safely in our pocket. It took me a few days to figure out what my pocket item was... And then work to break up with it. Break up with the finer things of this world. The list was made. I may not have done a 40 day fast but I did do a 4 day fast and now I want to do a 400 day fast.... hehe but seriously. It was the neatest thing and probably one of the first times in my life that I felt like I was doing exactly what Heavenly Father wanted me to do.
We set out to do our normal schedule. A few lessons, transportation, eat, talk to people. You know. The usual. And we had schedule a little time to go talk to people on the streets and I don't know what it was but every single person we talked to actually stopped to have a conversation with us. It was the weirdest thing. They may not have all had interest or taken a card or a Book of Mormon but they heard us out which is flying colors from what we are used to. And then the very last person I contact was Ge (yes that is his name) and say the usual spiel and schedule an appointment for the next day. He comes. He has interest. He hears our prayer and holds his heart explaining how good he feels. He asks to invite a friend to the next lesson.
Next day. Same deal. Walking to the church and we stop to talk to this guy, Leon, who also has no belief in God whatsoever and yet still listens to us. Schedule an appointment for the next day. He comes. He has interest. And he actually brings his friend,Christian, to the lesson. HE has interest. Christian prays. Leon prays. Both their very first time talking to their Heavenly Father in their whole lives. Woah. How is this happening?
The difference in our area is already huge. Remember just like 2 weeks ago when I was telling you about all those jerk peeps? oh they are definitely still here but yet that doesn't even phase us. I wish I could tell you all the other times the peoples countenances changed after talking to us or who took a Book of Mormon or who left with a better impression of who the mormons are or who trusted a 19 year old with their life story. I am seeing miracles right and left. It's great. but the best part is the difference I am seeing in myself. I think I am finally starting to recognize just a tiny glimpse of what the enabling power of the Atonement really is. This is incredible.
break up with the finer things of the world.
xoxoxo
s. heywood
ps: if you are in the mood for a tear jerker, I have just the thing for you. http://www.mormonchannel.org/
Pictures take like a whole century to send on this computer but I decided I would take the time to send you at least one so you can see my cute new comp Sister Parker. Party over here.
