We had a week with a lot of miracles! It was great. First miracle: I caught up in my journal last Monday. I had been trying to for weeks, but I have so much that I want to make sure I write down, that if I get a little behind, I end up a lot behind. But I caught up and I have promised myself that I will do better from here on out!
Annie, our investigator with two daughters, is just doing amazing. She had heard some anti-Mormon things from her brother, and was concerned about what she had heard. But Monday night we had an amazing lesson with her, where at the beginning she was talked about all the things that she heard, and then by the end she was saying, "I know that this is the right path for me. I know it's what my family and I need." On Friday, she told us that she and her daughter have been reading from the Book of Mormon together--family scripture study! Without us even inviting her to do that! I love when the Spirit works so strongly on someone when the missionaries aren't even there. We are working to help her to come to church next.
We had two branch activities this week, a Relief Society activity on Tuesday and an activity (ice cream social) for the whole branch on Saturday. So Sister Edgel and I determined to use this opportunity to its fullest, and invite everyone! And we had some really great turnouts. Tuesday, two less active women we invited came to the activity. Then on Saturday, we had three investigators, two potential investigators, and a less active member at the activity. We were super excited to have the chance to see them in the building and fellowshipping with members.
Another miracle this week: So, on Wednesday, we visited a little town called Brocton in our area. We were trying to track down a less active family. They weren't home, so we decided to go try some of the old potential investigators in the area. We came up to a house that had a big sign: Beware of Dog. I used my old "rattle the fence to see if any dogs come running" trick (no dogs came running) so we went up to the porch and knocked. At first, the woman who came to the door wasn't too interested, and she said that the woman we were looking for was very ill. Well, the Spirit prompted us very strongly, "You need to talk to this woman!" We asked her if she had ever had much religious experience, and she was kind of like, "no, I wouldn't really be interested, I have Native American beliefs." We asked, "Oh, do you have Native American heritage?" She did. "Well, we have a book that talks all about God's dealings with some of your ancestors!" And she got really interested! She asked, "Where can I purchase that book?" Oh, we give it away, don't worry. "Where's your church at? What time does it start?"
We didn't have any contact with her the rest of the week, but then! Sunday! She's the first person we see when we walk in the door! :) She had already read through 1 Nephi 17, and had questions and was interested in the services. It was a real testimony to me that the Lord prepares people.
Sunday we also had a lesson with a part member family, and the nonmember wife (who we've been teaching) said that she feels that she is closer to God than ever before in her life, and that God is showing her that this the right way. We invited her to pray about a specific day for baptism, which is really exciting!
Basically, tons of miracles this week. We have been finding new investigators, teaching, and inviting! One of our new investigators said that we caught her at the right time because she's been looking for a new church, so she thinks she might come visit ours :)
In my personal study this morning, I was thinking about courage, and I read President Monson's talk from this April's priesthood session. One of the principles he taught that really stood out to me is that it takes just as much courage to be brave in our beliefs as it does to defend our lives. I don't really think often about it, but I have been working on my courage my whole mission. It's scary going up to random people and asking them if they want to learn about the Book of Mormon! It's scary inviting someone to be baptized! But the Spirit supports us so strongly in those endeavors. I can't believe it sometimes. I love being a missionary!
Love you all! I promise, I will be better about pictures this week. It's getting embarrassing :)
Sister Barret
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