This week we saw more great success. I know that the hand of the Lord is here helping us as we improve the work in this area and ourselves by our diligent efforts to accomplish some good. This week we were able to see the desires of some people change towards doing what the Lord wants them to do. We have one part-member family, and the mother knows that she needs to come back. She is committed for another week, but the next time we have church she is committed to come. Its great to see her as she realizes what is important, and that she wants that for herself and her family.
We were able to find another part-member family while tracting in our neighborhood on Thusday. She told us that she didn't come to church because of how busy she was, and it was easier not to go, but she mentioned how her and her husband had been talking about it, and he is warming up to the idea of joining. We hope to see the potential there take root and bring us success.
Zone Conference on Friday was teriffic. I was able to learn a lot of new things to help myself, and others. I recieved revelation on what real intent means, and how to help others understand it, and apply it to their lives. Just before dinner that day we tracted into a Muslim girl. She is here for school, and she told us that she was Muslim, because in her home of Iran you are Muslim, or you are dead. She hated that. She didn't want it forced on her, and she was amazed that we were just inviting her to learn for herself. We don't have anything set up yet, but she did say that she would try and come to church.
Yesterday was great. The 5th Sunday lessons in both wards were enlightening. In Rock Creek they talked about home and visiting teaching. Bishop spoke, and he related an impression that came to him in the temple.
"When Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden into the lone and dreary world our Heavenly Father was sad, because he couldn't be with them anymore. He couldn't go unto them, and give them the help they needed. So what did he do? He sent home teachers. They went to Adam and Eve, and found out their situation, then the went back to God to report; we do that in prayer. God told them what to do next to help Adam and Eve banish evil from their lives. They helped Adam recieve the priesthood, they helped him follow Christ, including going to the temple to receive the ordinances of salvation. That is the purpose of home teachers, to do what God himself would do if he were here in person. Home teachers are to help us get rid of evil in our lives, and help us follow Christ by pointing us to the temple. They are to turn to God in prayer, telling him of the situation, and then he will tell them what to do."
In Springville we talked about the For Strength of Youth, we went over some of the topics in the new pamphlet, and how they apply to us and our children, and how we can make them a part of our lives, to insure that the standards are being kept.
As for myself this had been an interesting week, full of highs and lows. There were a lot of great spiritual experiences for which I am truly grateful, but it seems that whenever you climb a peak you fall off a cliff on the other side. So it was this week for me. I had great experiences, and then at the same time I questioned and doubted, and lost faith. I really struggle with believing in what I am doing, which doesn't make sense to me, because I feel joy in doing it. Last night I read over my patriarchal blessing, it had been a while since I have read it, and it really helped me a lot. It told me what to seek after, and the gifts that I would be given. I my studies this morning I read over some of the topics mentioned in my blessing, so that I could attain them. I feel like I have a long way to go, but at the same time I was able to see the blessings and promises that had already been fulfilled. It was another testimony builder for me. I hope that I can continue to go up, and to progress, because I do find joy in this work, even if I sometimes don't find joy in my life. If I make this work my life maybe that can change.
I am looking forward to this weekend. we have our temple trip on Friday, followed by General Conference, it is going to be great!
Love Elder Schultz
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