eep. missionary work is the best. the best. Can you believe I have been doing this for a year now? I certainly cannot. Again I just feel like every time I hit one of these monumental marks I just think.. ooo I am no where near the missionary I thought I would be by now.. and it kinda starts to freak me out a little bit that I might never get to that point and my mission will be over in like a blink of an eye. Have I changed? Did I even learn anything? do anything? Or just like learn the same 5 things over and over again and go in circles? Ooo.. can't think about that too much. Good thing I still have time. Just learning and growing and plugging away in my little neck of the woods over here.
I have been really trying to focus on getting the doctrines of what we teach down. Like really know them. Really study them. You know how you are with some missionaries and they seem to have the entire Book of Mormon memorized and can just flip open to an inspiring scripture at the drop of a hat? That is Sister Parker. Seriously. I don't know how she does it... good thing I have another six weeks with her to learn her ways. she is the best.
But yes. Really studying out the lessons to have a deeper knowledge of every piece of it and then qualify to have the spirit more with me. And oh boy. Oh boy. Do I have a story for you. We had met this cute little Phillipino girl on the bus a couple weeks ago. **side note: I now understand why everyone loves that culture so much. holy cow.** And we met with her And taught her about how she can find the true church for herself. She told us how every church she went to seemed to have something missing and she couldn't figure it out.. Normally she isn't really too motivated to go to the church that her friend's invite her to, but that when we emailed her to set up this appointment she just felt such an excitemenet and a hunger to learn. and as I looked her right in the eye and told her the words of Joseph Smith's experience. And she instantly starts crying. And just kept apologizing and saying 'I am so so sorry I don't even know why I am crying I just feel something.' That is the spirit telling you it is true Annielyn.' She came to church and told us she wants to bring her friends next time because they need to be a part of this church. oh boy.
Modar was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I don't know if I ever told you about him but he was taught by missionaires back in Russia. They found him on facebook and got him hooked up with us over here. Thank goodness for them. The first meeting he told us he wanted to be baptized the next day. But we kindly explained that he could meet with the elders to learn a wee bit more first. He obliged and now he is a member and just so happy about it! After he was confirmed he just stands up and says over and over again 'thank you thank you my dear siblings of the church!' Welcome to God's family Modar. We are happy to have you. And you know what else? Annielyn came to the baptism. And brought a friend. And when someone asked her if she was a member she just told them 'Not yet.' I am still learning. But I want to.' Every time I looked over at her she was talking to someone. oh man. she is just too great. My heart is going to burst out of love for this girl.
Christian told us that he is moving back to China in a couple weeks. Pretty much broke my heart considering he has been one of my absolute favorite people to work with and has come such a long way from not even believing in God to reading and praying everyday and wanting to get baptized. ah. I just feel so grateful to be a part of it and you know what? I have full faith that when missionaries can go to China they will find good ol' Christian and he will be like the next bishop or something. really though. he is so great.
xoxoxox
huggin ya. lovin ya.
s. heywood
ps: got back in touch with Sebastian and Alex. And Gabriel. Happy day.
my two little mission mom friends. They both have kids on missions right now and just rave about them. Showing me pictures every week in their little photo album they carry around everywhere. I like to imagine you do the same thing to me mom... hehe
working on new methods. and so we took this little whiteboard and went to the college campus and started asking where people were from and had them draw a little dot for where they came from and told them about family history. literally every single person we talked to at least took a card and told us they wanted to check it out. I couldn't believe it. I thought family history was for old people... whoops. repenting don't worry.
went to go visit the sweetest old lady with our young women. cuties.
one year celebration. the elders burn a shirt and the sisters buy ice cream as big as their faces. classy. yummy. this is the life.
