April 7, 2014

I'm staying in Ventura!


Hey guys!!

What an incredible week It has been!! It's hard to believe that my first transfer as a missionary is coming to a close. I have learned more about my testimony and relationship with my savior in these past six weeks than ever before. Sister Mason Is leaving :( but I am staying in Ventura! She was seriously an answer to my prayers. I could not have been with a sweeter person! Plus.. we had a blast together and had some of the most awkward, funny experiences. (You don't know awkward until you knock on random peoples doors sharing the gospel) haha. Oh, I forgot to mention Sister Mason sleep talks and teaches the lessons in her sleep. It is tooo good haha, but I am definitely excited to see what this next transfer brings!

This week, Sister Mason and I sang at a baptism. The singing was rough, but the baptism was amazing! Tony was able to attend and it made him super excited for his baptism coming up. We had an incredible lesson with him on Monday night… we taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ with brother and sister Wood! Having lessons in the member’s home brings the spirit even more. Brother Wood was able to give Tony a priesthood blessing so that He would have the strength to quit smoking this week. It was so powerful and that next day he had only smoked ONE cigarette. We also met with him on Thursday night with Sister Belisle! Sister Belisle has been in his exact situation.. her testimony and advice to him was absolutely perfect. We try to understand his situation best we can, but when someone knows exactly how you're feeling, they can better relate. We talked a bit about the power of the atonement and sister belisle expressed that, "If she could do it, he could too." Tony is doing AWESOME! He just has to resist the temptation to smoke and drink his coffee. He desires to give it up and he said that Monday would be the day that he quits completely.

This week we went and visited Linda! Usually when we visit with her, she doesn't share much interest in the church because she is pretty devoted to her catholic faith. But this time when we met with her, she was asking a lot of questions about our services. She asked if we have music and we said, "OF COURSE!" We were able to then sing for her.  She's really struggling with overcoming her knee surgery, and she expressed to us the peace she feels when we come and are able to visit with her. At the end of our visit she offered to pray,  she prayed that she may be able to heal quickly, so she could attend church! Every time we go over she says, "YOU MORMONS SHOW UP EVERY TIME I'M IN A CRISIS! I think God is telling me something here."

We also met with Danni! She is still doing awesome!! We gave her a Children's Book of Mormon and she loved it! She's getting really excited about her baptism coming up on May 3rd!

Conference weekend was SO great. I don't think I can just pick one talk that was my favorite, they were all so good. I especially noticed a pattern in Saturday's sessions of the importance of being a true disciple of Jesus Christ…about the importance of defending our faith and not hiding it. Sometimes that can be tough. Especially out here, I've really had to learn to defend my faith and what I believe, BUT with compassion and courtesy. I loved Russell M. Nelson's talk about being truly Tied to God.. and "Increasing your faith, Proclaiming your faith, and letting your faith show." I loved Lawerence E. Corbridge's talk about the restoration. "There will ALWAYS be opposition to the truth." Ah, I needed to hear that one! I also loved what Richard G. Scott emphasized…Sometimes the only way we can influence someone is just by showing them love, that's how we can be a significant influence in someone's life. Just by simply loving them, THEN they will feel God's love through you. President Thomas S. Monson is so inspired, I loved how simple, yet powerful his message was. Loving one another and expressing kindness can change the world and change hearts. (I had a lot of favorites haha)  What a blessing it is to know that we have a prophet on the earth today that receives revelation for our benefit. The Lord truly loves each of his children and wants the best for us. He wants us to enjoy all the blessings this gospel has to offer and he's blessed us with that guidance. I love this gospel.. I love this work. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to see miracles each day, but you can too! You don't need a name tag to share the gospel or show your faith. I LOVE YOU ALL.

Sister James

Elders Leavitt and McKinley, Sisters James and Mason
Sister Mason and Sister James with Tony

No comments:

Post a Comment