Letter #26 - A Change of Heart - 7.20.2015
Hola Family and Friends,
There is NO GREATER GIFT we can give to others than to bear our testimony to them. There is NO GREATER JOY we can have than to bring even one soul unto Christ. There is NO GREATER WAY to strengthen our own testimony than to share our witness of Him with the world. Applying the Pattern of the Restoration We found several new investigators this week and so we had the opportunity to teach the Restoration several times this week. In result, my testimony of WHY we teach the Restoration first has grown a ton this week. I realized what a perfect guide the Restoration is for our lives. It is a guide, that if we follow the pattern that Joseph Smith showed us, we can strengthen our own testimonies and strengthen our faith. It is the pattern of turning to the scriptures, kneeling in prayer, asking in faith, and listening to the Holy Ghost. It does not matter if you have been in the church your entire life or it is first time hearing about the church, we should all apply this pattern in our lives. As we do, I know that our faith will be strengthened to help us through the most difficult storms of life and will be able to stand as a witness to others that this is the the only true church on the face of the world. That the steps are easy and the rewards are great. Gaining a testimony and becoming converted requires effort on our part. That the first steps begin with study and prayer, then living the gospel with patience and persistence and inviting the Spirit. Joseph Smith showed us the steps that we should follow: 1) DESIRING to know the truth 2) PONDERING it our hearts 3) Then, feeling and obediently following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Nephi is another example to us, that if we apply this in our lives, we will have the guide of the Holy Ghost. He said, "For it came to pass after I had DESIRED to know that the things of my father had seen (In a vision of the tree of life) and BELIEVING that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat PONDERING in my heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit (spoke) unto me." There truly is a strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life. We have the all resources we need through following the Savior and the living prophets. God has something great prepared for each and everyone of us. I know that through living the gospel and following the Savior's example our lives can be blessed beyond measure because I have seen it in my own life. I have to say, one of the harder things about being a missionary is having people not even the desire to ask God if this is the true church and I can only imagine how it makes our Heavenly Father feel as he knows the potential of each and everyone of us. I hope that each of you, will apply the steps that are shown through the Restoration to strengthen your testimony. I know that there are sure anchors for our life in these troubled times. There is a solid rock foundation which we can build our faith to help us through the devestating storms of the latter days. That we truly have the fulness of the gospel in our lives and if we live those concepts they will aid our joyful completion of the course that leads to eternal life. A Change of Heart I started talking to a woman on the bus and introduced myself. I told her that we were missionaries and that we would like to visit her another day. She said of course and gave me her address. As she was getting off the bus she kept saying "It's right there, 2nd floor." "Do you see it?" We called her the next day and the first thing she said was "Are you the girl that I was talking to yesterday? The blonde girl?" Yes! When we asked her if we could visit her today, she said yes, you can come right now. We were shocked. We went to their house and were able to teach her and her husband. About half way through the lesson, I realized that I head met her husband on a corner by the store who had said that he was waiting for the missionaries. Several weeks had passed and I had just happened to sit by his wife on the bus. I know that God's hand is in this work. That he has put people in our path. We invited them to church and Ema was excited. Carlos was a little doubtful. He said that he had listened to the missionaries 10 years ago, but they wanted him to get baptized and give up coffee. He told us that he was going to die a Catholic and that he could NEVER give up coffee. He did say he would go to church though with his wife. We woke up early Sunday to go to their house. We got there and all Carlos said was "I do not like this" "I do not like this" "I will go today, but this is the last time I will ever go in my life". I sat by him before the Sacrament Meeting started and before I could even say anything he said "it is really beautiful here" "I feel so much peace here" " I want to invite my friend next week". I know, wow huh. I complete 360. They stayed for all 3 hours with smiles on their faces. We visited them later that afternoon and he offered the first prayer. In his prayer, he thanked Heavenly Father for the missionaries and said that he would go to church every Sunday for the rest of his life. We started talking to him after and he said that he decided that he wanted to be a member of the church. We did invite them to be baptized and his wife said that she would like to learn a little more before accepting, but she wants to go to the temple with the ward next week. The gospel changes people even the most stubborn people. It makes us want to be better. Carlos reminded me that each and every one of us accepted the Savior's plan and that we need to trust that given the opportunity they will do so again. It taught me the importance of going to church each week. That it is at church where we feel peace, happiness, and a place where we can take a break from the world and remember that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father. It is a place where we will learn the principles that we need in our life to obtain happiness in this life and the next life. It is also an opportunity to receive personal revelation for our own personal lives. Helamen 5:12- "He (Jesus Christ) is our safe foundation."Jacob 4:15-16- This stone, he said, shall be "the great, and the last, and the ONLY sure foundation". The Cutest Couple We went to go visit Daisy who is a new investigator this week, but she was not there. My companion randomly said "let's go visit the old couple that we contacted last change". They have crossed our minds several times this change. We called them and were able to find out house. They said that they had been waiting for us and were not sure if we were ever going to show up. They are both 83 years old, but are doing well. Arturo has a problem with his leg that makes it hard for him to walk, but he still gardens and is able to walk. Everytime we go over they offer us all types of food. They treat us like family. I love them! We went over there and she served us lunch. We joked around with her because she kept bring us food and said "are you trying to make us fat?" She said, "No, you need strength do your work!" They both attended church on Sunday with us. They loved it. The only challenges that they have are that they live at the top of the mountain and the church is at the bottom of the mountain, but we talked with the members to hopefully help us with transportation. We are excited to continue working with them.
A Test of Faith This week was busy on the nursing side. I feel like I have called President Richardson with bad news several times this week. Several missionaries may have to go home because of health problems, but we will find out more this week I have to say that is the other hard part of being a missionary, is having to send some missionaries home early. I am sure it is even harder for President. I know that everything happens for a reason though. That if that is what is best for the missionary than that is the next step that needs to be taken. We continue to have a lot of problems with knees and ankles. For any missionary that is coming to Ecuador, I encourage everyone to buy inserts that will give them support depending on their archs and to buy shoes that have support even if they are expensive. They will save you from having problems in the long run. From a Nurse's Perspective What every missionary should bring that is serving in Ecuador! Supportive Shoes- We have a ton of problems with knees and ankles. Many missionaries have sprained their ankles or had pain that lasts for weeks because we walk a ton. I encourage each missionary to buy supportive shoes (yes, multiple pairs) that have a lot of support. Also, to spend the money to buy inserts that will support your arches. Medications- The medications here are half the strength as they are in United States. If you are taking medications, then my suggestion is to bring them from home. You can find them here, but they are not as good as the States. Also, bring the basic medications like Tylenol and Ibuprofen because again they are less strength. Make-up- Bring makeup. If you like American brands, then I would suggest buying a supply to bring to last you here. The make up here is really expensive and as missionaries we are on a budget! Same with face wash! Bed-Bug Bag- Yes, there are bed bugs. It does not matter how clean you are or how many times you wash your sheets you have a chance of having bed bugs. I found my the "bed bug bag" just at a travel store and I have not had a problem. I know of a lot of missionaries especially who are out in the country that have a problem with bed bugs and bugs in general. Also, in the coast and orient it will help from being bit by mosquitos. I love mine and I think it is totally worth bringing! I love being a missionary! The Church give us opportunities to serve the Lord and our fellowmen. If given in the right way and for the right reasons, that service will rewrad us beyond anything we have given. I have seen this with being a missionary! We are here to help each other. I encourage each and everyone of you to look for opportunties to serve and as you do, do it with your all your heart, mind, and strength. As you do, I promise you will see your life change as well!
I love you all! I hope you have a wonderful week! Until next week!
Hermana Pemberton
