This week was rough, both for the work, and for myself. In the last little bit we have been dropped by seven investigators. The start of this transfer was like the start of the last one with the reduction in our teaching pool. One of the most disappointing though, was Tuesday we got a call from Dirk R, saying that he no longer wanted to meet with us. So thats how the week started, and I will admit I was a little less than excited about going out for a few of those days when we had no lessons scheduled. Elder Lott really helped me a lot though. He had been studying on patience(probably the reason this happened, because it did teach us that.), and he was optimistic, and grateful the whole time. What an example to me of keeping your head up, and trusting in the Lord. I have seen such growth in him, and I know that because he isn't the strongest, he is stronger than most, because he relies completely on God.
Monday started off great. We had a lesson on prayer with David and Melissa, as well as the Lyons. Both lessons went fairly well. We discussed how faith applies to prayers, why we pray, and the blessings it can bring. I definetly know that prayer is a powerful tool, and something we overlook all to often. I know from experience that whenever I have forgotten to say prayers, or justified not saying them, I have gotten myself into dangerous territory with temptation. Its no wonder Christ told us to "pray lest ye enter into temptation". It is a real protection for us if we use it.
Tuesday we had two lessons fall through. One with Theres I, which was weird. We were meeting at one, and sister Henrie, Theres' friend was already there. They opened the door, and she didn't let us in because her friend was there, and sister Henrie didn't even suggest that she invite us in. She also didn't invite her to church again this week, despite her mentioning that she would like to come. We are trying to work with Theres, but her member friend, is not helping, and even hindering the progress. We have another lesson set with Theres this week, and sister Henrie doesn't even want to come. I wish members could just see how important they are in teaching and helping others to accept the Gospel. Her friend is prepared, but she can't see that.
Wednesday we did a lot of tracting, and I have to say I wasn't super excited. It was pouring rain, and it reminded me of my first week when we tracted in the rain like that. I thought then what I thought now, "this stinks, what did I get myself into". But, even though I didn't really want to do it, I knew that I had to, if for none other reason than obedience. Also I know that the only way to gain a desire to do something is to know it's true, and you come to know its true by doing it. So, we did it. We then went to go teach Kimi, the jew. We took brother Haslam, who is the stake patriarch, and Kimi stood us up. Back to tracting we went. Dinner cancelled on us, and that evening our lesson with Howard M fell through as well.
Thursday we were able to teach Nathan. He gained a testimony of God and Jesus Christ by studying the Bible, and great example of the importance of scripture study, we shared with him how he could do the same with the Book of Mormon. We went over the first part of the restoration, and we talked a lot about prophets. Its amazing to me how insignificant people think prophets are, or how little the understand. Without a prophet there is no priesthood, and without priesthood there is no authorized baptism, and therefore no remission of sins, or access to the Atonement. What a huge deal. Our dinner cancelled again that night too.
Friday we did more tracting. We went down by the river, and knocked over there. There was a Kingdom Hall on the street, the first I had seen in this area, we almost knocked on it, because we didn't realize what it was. After we finished the street we went to visit some of the unordained in the area. One of them, Dennis M let us in, and we were able to talk with him. He said that he went his own way, and was going to another church, now he doesn't even go there. We shared a message with him about the importance of Christ, and the Book of Mormon. He then invited us to check out other churches. He was a really nice guy, but he didn't want to come back. After more tracting we went to dinner with Bishop Smith, his son had a nonmember friend there, and we were able to talk with him a little. We had our lesson with the Rivers fall through, but we were able to see Shawn G, and his nonmember friend Kristian sat in on the lesson, and participated. WE are going to meet with both of them again this week. We Kristian a Book of Mormon, and invited him to read and pray about it.
Saturday we did a lot more tracting, and a little bit of service, and that evening we were visiting potentials and we decided to stop by Dirk, and say goodbye in person. He let us in, and we talked with him about how he can know. We bore testimony, and he agreed to continue meeting with us. I was so happy I could hardly stand it. After our lesson with Dirk we went by to follow up on a potential that we had found in the areabook. She was found in 09, and the note said "golden contact", and she had never been followed up with. We knocked on her door, and she was home, she was excited to see us, we gave her a Book of Mormon, and a paphlet. We set up a lesson, arranged to meet her at the Visitor's Center. She was golden. We came home that night so happy, and grateful for the blessings that we had been given.
Sunday I spoke in church. My topic was "when good plans don't work out", a fittin gtopic for this week. I related the story of Nephi getting the brass plates, and Alma preaching to Ammonihah. Both of these stories they had tried and failed to do something, and when their plans didn't work out they relied on the Lord, and he helped them. 2 Nephi 25:23 say that we are saved by grace after all we can do, meaning that even though we can try our best, we can make all our plans we will fall short. We will fail. And after all of that He will save us. No matter how many times we fail, if we trust in Him He will help us. After all our plans, we can't return to God, but it doesn't matter that we can't do it on our own, because we don't have to. I am glad to know that I have a Savior who can help me through hard times. A Savior who knows what its like, and knows how to help. I am grateful for the blessings that I've seen this week, and I know that if you focus on the positive, you can truly see the tender mercies of the Lord in your life. Amidst all of the hardship and struggle He will always love us.
Some of my favorite scriptures about faith are in Hebrews 11, Alma 32, 1 Nephi 4. Good ones on the Atonement are Alma 7: 11-13, Ether 12: 27. For the Plan of Salvation I like Alma 11, Alma 40, 2 Nephi 2, Mormon 9
I did get the package this week.
Is there anything you can do to fix my shoes? Will MrMac replace them if I send them back, or am I out of luck?
Love Elder Schultz
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