Bonjour à tous! La vie est belle? It was a pretty good final week of the transfer. Yep, crazy how fast time flies huh? This next transfer I'm still here in Annemasse with Sister Monson! I'm super grateful to finally have a transfer where nothing changes...first time in like 8 months! Haha. It's awesome, we'll just get to accelerate right off the bat with the work here! So this week I have really come to appreciate and more fully understand the power of prayer. That's been something I've been working on improving my entire mission. Well, God gave me lots of opportunities this week to do so. First little story...all of our plans had fallen through, including our back-ups. So, we were left with street contacting out in centre ville in the middle of the blazing hot afternoon. On top of that, we literally stopped close to 30 people and not a single one would talk to us. (Normally you can get at least 1 or 2 conversations with that many attempts) And just to make matters even more joyful, we were getting harassed and teased a lot. So, after a while, I was at the end of my fuse. I knew I couldn't be an effective instrument in the Lord's hands with that attitude. So, all I could do was pray... .....and that made all the difference. I told Heavenly Father that I wanted to do what He wanted me to do, but I couldn't do it anymore without some extra help. So I asked for it. Immediately thereafter, 4 letters popped into my mind. I thought of the millions of bumper stickers I'd seen on cars back home in the good ole south that say "WWJD"--what would Jesus do? I told myself: Jesus would keep walking in the heat, searching for the one. Jesus would turn the other cheek to those that mocked Him. Jesus would open His mouth to speak to everyone, because He is no respecter of persons. Jesus would testify of our Father's love for us and His atoning sacrifice that He wants us all to take advantage of. Jesus would smile at every person He walked by. Jesus would never complain, but only look outward to see who else He could serve. So, as a representative of Jesus Christ, I decided to do what He would do, and to say what He wants said. I felt the strength of ministering angels walking with us, helping me to be a better representative of His holy name. The day wasn't easier after that, but it was much happier, because I had the quiet assurance that I was ministering in the manner Jesus would. Another example. I've been really trying to be more prayerful throughout the day. Before we go somewhere, before we ring that doorbell, before we talk to that person, I've been asking for Heavenly Father's help. Well, we decided to exercise some faith and try passing by an inactive sister's house, even though she had turned us down on many other attempts. Well, we prayed that this time her heart would be softened and she'd let us in. Well, we get to her house and not only did she let us in, but she was excited to see us! We got to know her a bit, and then we asked if we could watch the Mother's Day video with her "ItWasMom." She agreed and so we watched it. Oh la la the spirit that came into that room! I had been praying during the whole video that she'd feel something. After it was over Sister Monson and I just testified of very simple basic truths, I can't even remember what was said. But I do know I almost cried, and I never cry in lessons. And then this inactive sister began crying, and we all just felt this thick warm happy love for God and all He's given us. She told us we could come back any time. I also spent quite some time on my knees every night, deeply pleading with my Father for our amis. One night I woke up in the middle of the night and realized I was still on my knees...oops haha. But it occurred to me after reading D&C 9:7 that God can't just help us with things we don't ask Him for. And I've kind of been at a loss lately to know how to help some of our amis progress. And what good am I as an instrument of the Lord if I'm not using His perfect knowledge He has about each one of His children? And after all, specific prayers bring specific answers and blessings. So I spent a lot of time specifically going through each ami and praying according to their needs. I noticed a real difference in our planning for our lessons, and in the lessons themselves. I had many more moments where the promise was fulfilled that what I would need to say would be given to me in the very moment where I needed it. This work is much more effective when we're speaking through His voice and not our own, since it's His work after all. Well, that's just a little insight into my week. Keep praying, it makes the difference because He really does listen! Love, Soeur Shields
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November 2015
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