Hello all!
This has been a really good week! We have met so many wonderful people who are so prepared to hear the message of the restored gospel! I will just list a couple of the different experiences with a couple of the people.
Monday night we went out walking and we saw someone painting a house. We offered help and that opened up a whole discussion. He was so grateful for the offer, though he couldn't let us do it, but we talked about the Book of Mormon and gave him a copy. The next night he texted us and told us how much he loved the chapter we had given him to read (3 Nephi 11) he explained all sorts of reasons he loved it, including Jesus giving the people the authority to baptize. He said that was something he needed in his life.
So I am out of time so I am going to copy and paste part of my wonderful companion’s, Sister Johnson's, email!!
Sister Peterson and I had made a goal a few weeks ago to talk to everyone we see. To not let anyone go. So this past week, we made our very best effort and talked to anyone and everyone we saw on the streets. And a lot of them weren't interested but some were and we were able to find four new investigators! As missionaries, we are told to refer quickly back to the Restoration quickly because that is our unique message to the world. That the gospel of Jesus Christ, the church that Jesus Christ has established when He was on the earth, has been restored once again in its fulness to the earth today. That is what we are out here sharing and it has power.
On Tuesday, we had an amazing first lesson with one of our new investigators, Edward. He is so prepared and we are so excited for him! He showed up to the lesson, Book of Mormon in hand, and he was super excited to see us. He expressed to us that he had been looking forward to our meeting. Awesome! He recognized that the Holy Ghost had been leading him to where he was and to meeting with us and learning more about the gospel. He had a lot of great questions and was truly searching and seeking for truth and knowledge. He truly has a sincere desire to learn more about and follow Jesus Christ. We taught the Restoration and he understood very quickly and readily, the need for a restoration. As we recited the First Vision to him, the spirit was so strong and almost palpable. Thankfully, no interruptions came. After, he had a lot of questions about baptism. Mostly the what and why of baptism. We showed him the Bible video of Christ's baptism and he really enjoyed it and thought it enlightening. He understood that baptism was an important commitment and when we asked him if he would be baptized, he said he would have to think about it a little more but not immediately a no. He knows how important baptism is. He admitted to us at the end of our lesson that in the short time thy we had been together, he already felt like a different person; that he was different than he was "10 minutes earlier". Awesome! He very willingly said the closing prayer and eagerly asked what he could read before our next lesson. He's very excited to meet again and we are super excited to continue to teach him.
We almost met a guy named Daren on Thursday who is also super prepared. Daren has had Mormon roommates in the past. He has faith in Jesus Christ. He felt it was a sign that we stopped to talk to him that he should listen to us. We told him God sent us to him tonight. He was very open to learning more. We'd testified to him of the truthfulness of our message and that it was a message that would bless his life. As we testified of the Book of Mormon, we felt the spirit confirming to him of the truth of what we said. He is excited to meet with us as well!
Saturday we got a glimpse into how our Heavenly Father feels about all of us. We really struggled with one investigator in particular. Specifically in helping them connect that the promise we make aren't from us but from God. That we aren't just two girls talking about God but that we have been called by a prophet of God to come and preach His gospel to the world and how that calling has given us the power to make promises in His name. But of course, people have that wonderful gift of agency that allows them to choose right or wrong. And sometimes, they don't choose right. And it was hard to see someone who we love so dearly not choose right. And in that moment, we felt a little piece of how our Heavenly Father feels when we don't choose right. It was hard and so so sad. A little heartbreaking. So if that is how we felt, I can't even imagine how our Heavenly Father feels when we don't choose Him or trust Him. Makes me appreciate my Heavenly Father and the love He feels for me even more. How patient He must be ♥
Joanne came to church yesterday! And she loved it! It was 10:30 and church started in 30 minutes but we felt super prompted that we needed to go and invite her anyways. So we went and knocked on her door, asking her to come to church with us. We told her we could get a ride for her and everything; all she needed to do was say yes. And so she came! And it was great! A little miracle. She loved church to much that she said she's going to bring her kids next week! Yay! She is also praying about a date to be baptized!
Ending thoughts: I add my testimony to Sister Johnson’s, I am so grateful for this restored gospel! I am so grateful to be able to be a part of this great work in bringing people closer to their Heavenly Father!
I love you all!!
Bye!!
-Sister Peterson :)
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