Hey all!
It's been another good week in the WA-TAC! It actually was a terrific week! We had some pretty solid lessons, and some pretty neat experiences this week. All of it just kind of confirmed to me the reality of God's hand in this work.
Monday night, we have a lesson with Carlos Llamas. He STILL hadn't really read any of the Book of Mormon, so we talk a little bit more about it, and why it's so important. We bore testimony of it and shared sacred experiences with it, and then read the first chapter. The spirit was there and was powerful. Carlos is getting more and more real intent and true desire - he just actually has to start DOING! haha that's kind of the hardest part! He wasn't able to come to church this weekend, because his brother is in town, and they were spending time together, but we have a lesson with him on Wednesday, and I'm excited to see how the spirit has been working with him.
Tuesday morning, we had another pretty awesome lesson with this kid named Luis. Sister Bayles had met him on exchange, and she wasn't too sure how interested he was in learning more...she thought he was just flirting with the sister who was with her. Sister Gehring is a babe, so it's an understandable concern. So, we go, and we have a really, really good lesson! He's not like super into it, but he has a desire to learn more about God - and to find out if God really is there and really cares about him. He's pretty uncertain about it all. He said he would definitely read the Book of Mormon, and said he couldn't come to church this week, but would next week. It's been a struggle to get people to come to church - or even say they're going to come to church - so responses like that just get me super pumped. Really, though, it was a much better lesson with him than we both were anticipating. It was another one of those moments where the spirit was present and quite strong. Heavenly Father uses those moments to remind us to not question Him or His children, because WE don't know who is ready to receive the Gospel, but HE does! So we just have to trust!
Another pretty cool experience was Saturday night. We go to visit Mary Turley, a less active we've been working with - she came to church two weeks ago, because we were singing. She lets us in, and immediately starts talking about family history, and how that's all she's been doing for like the past week. Then, out of the blue, without us even mentioning church, she asks, "So, what are the Sunday School classes after Sacrament meeting? I think I want to start going to those, too." She then talked about how she was wanting and planning on coming to church regularly - she didn't actually end up coming yesterday; she probably freaked herself out and convinced herself to not to. She kind of has anxiety problems/social fears. But, change takes time, and the spirit works on people subtly and gradually, often times. It still was a huge change in her, to be so sure and so committed. I'm excited to keep working with her! But, that whole experience was just a wonderful example of how important FAMILY HISTORY is! Because it's still a part of God's work, and the spirit that such things bring are so powerful! The spirit of Elijah is working across the world. It's something that we can foster and encourage to help become even more involved in God's work, to help it progress even further!
Last but not least, my favorite thing that has happened this week: Rainy. Rainy is an investigator we found last week. I think I mentioned her! Her friend had given her a Book of Mormon, and when we knocked on her door, she wanted us to come by to help explain it and to help her understand it. So, we come back on Thursday, and teach her the Restoration. You guys, the spirit was SO strong. I can't remember the last time I had the spirit that strong and that evident in a lesson, here in Lacey. Her eyes lit up as we told her and testified of Joseph Smith. She eagerly committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We invited her to church, and she was very hesitant - she is very involved in her church. In fact, she has done a mission trip to Juarez, and is planning to go on another one, soon. So, she was kind of hesitant. Sunday morning, we get a text asking us to save her a seat in church. She leaves after sacrament meeting, but not without saying," Maybe I'll stay for the classes next week!" Implying she was planning on coming next week - we didn't even ask her if she wanted to come again. Rainy is open, interested, and has a true desire to come closer to God. All of these things lead to the spirit working powerfully within people. I have high hopes for Rainy. I'm not expecting super fast results, but I'm SO certain that she will find the truthfulness within this Gospel. She is SO ready and SO close to the spirit! I love it! I love seeing Heavenly Father place people like her in our paths, blessing us with the opportunity to see miracles, and experience the spirit changing people's lives. Please keep Rainy in your prayers - as well as everyone else.
It has been a wonderful week. I've been so uplifted, and it's making me want to stay in Lacey even more! Man. I love it!
I love you guys! Thanks for everything you do! Thanks for the prayers and the support! I love it out here! Life is fantastic, even when there aren't lessons like the ones with Rainy. Those are just very special gifts from God, given to remind me of how sacred and special this message is, that I get to share. I'm so blessed to be here. I'll never regret this time. I love it!
Sister Beth Ann Root!
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