Hey all!
Transfer buzz: Sister Bevan and I are staying put! We're both super excited. Even better: all the sisters in the zone are staying, too! It's going to be a way fun transfer! Plus, we plan on seeing lots of things happen in our ward.
It's been a little bit of a rough week for us, though. All of our progressing investigators pretty much said baptism just got put on the back burner. Not that they're not thinking about it or they're not interested, but they're just not sure any more. Sally was way solid for the 14th - more solid than we were aware, actually! - but then, she said she's been getting mixed feelings when she spends time with her mom, who has dementia. She said her parents had her baptized Catholic for a reason, and she doesn't wan tto betray her parents. So, we're just trying to encourage her. If you could keep her in your prayers, I'd really appreciate it. A few other sad and discouraging things have happened this week, like an investigator dropping us. And some other stuff. But, the Lord still blesses us! We were able to go to 3rd ward's baptism (the sisters in that ward, Sister Hardy and Sister Peruch are our STLs, and pretty much our best friends) and it was way spiritual. I accompanied them singing Oh My Soul Hungered and Sister Bevan gave a little short missionary message while the guy who got baptized was changing. Because of that, we were able to convince Linda and Jim to come. It was way good for them to come, because the spirit was so strong! Gerald, who was the one who got baptized, bore his testimony at the end, and it was AMAZING!! I LOVE baptisms! They make me so happy!
Also, a couple potential investigators just randomly showed up to church yesterday, with their neighbors. It was such a tender mercy to us. They are Liz and Anna. Anna is 8 and Liz is her grandma. their neighbors, the Turmans, had told us about them a while ago, and so we recently stopped by to visit Liz, and she was very much, "I'm not getting baptized into your church! But, the door isn't closed. But don't come by again. I'll contact you." It was kind of an odd encounter. Especially since Sister Turman said Liz came over after that and was like, "I'm going to church with you guys soon!" I'm not really sure how to read her...but she seems fun. A little fireball. :) So, to see her there was awesome. She really enjoyed it, and so did Anna - we actually had gone into Primary to help with Sharing time, so I hope that gave Anna a little bit of a good impression of us. :) And Anna said she wanted to come back, so Liz said they would, because Anna is the boss! Hopefully Liz will actually let us teach her, soon. But, regardless, we were very blessed to have them come, and that it was a good experience for them.
You know, it's kind of cool to see how the Lord blesses your work. You do all you can, and you work with the people you can, and the people you think you're supposed to focus and work with, but, it's the Lord's work. We actually aren't doing much. Because, then there comes someone you haven't been working with, but the spirit has been, and...it's actually kinda better than if you had been. Like Liz just showing up to church, without us inviting her. The Lord acknowledged the work we do, and knows we're doing our best, accordin gto the knowledge we have, and then he just blesses us to reap the rewards of the work HE is doing.
It's not exactly "missionary work." It's Heavenly Father's work. Which is why missionaries and members need to be working together so closely. Because neither of us can do it alone. And all of us need to be united with Christ and Heavenly Father. And, if we are, we'll be striving to do His work. It's perfect! I'm so grateful I can be here. I'm learning so much, and I've never been so aware of God's hand in my life. I love it! Thank you for all you guys do to support me. I love you all! Remember! The Church is true, the Atonement is real, and it's all worth it!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
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