Monday, October 12, 2015

week 36







we work in the jungle. this path is literally in the MIDDLE of a neighborhood.





"When you leave a Book of Mormon is a home, you leave a key to heaven" (one of our zone leaders in district meeting this last week said that)
 
We have been working so had on leaving keys to heaven all over the place and let me tell you, the Book of Mormon is truly a key to heaven. 
 
We tracted into a woman named Tina and she invited us in. We prayed with her and talked a lot about the spirit. She told us all about the Pope and invited us back to share more of our message. 
 
So we returned and she soaked everything up. At the end of that lesson shes said, "My grandson NEEDS to hear about this! Come back and he'll be here!" 
 
So we returned and Trey was there. We read from the Book of Mormon with them and they both soaked it ALL up. At the end of that lesson Trey said, "My mom NEEDS to hear about this! Come back and she'll be here!" 
 
So we returned and Tracy was there. We read from the Book of Mormon and taught them all about the Plan of Salavation and all three of them soaked it ALL up. At the end of that lesson Tracy said, "My brother NEEDS to hear about this! Come back and he'll be here! Also, can you leave another one of those books, because he needs to start reading it this week!"
 
We are seeing all of them this week. And Tina and Trey have baptismal dates set.
 
After we taught them yesterday, we got a call as we were headed home last night from Tina, the grandma and she said, "Sisters, I just want you to know how grateful we are for you. We can't stop talking about everything you've shared with us and we all read the Book of Mormon together this evening. You've brought so much love into our family through this book, I can't even thank you enough". 
 
We didn't bring the love, the spirit did. It's through the Book of Mormon that this entire family is finding greater peace and happiness. When we read Moroni 10:3-5 with Tracy she was ASTOUNDED that we were encouraged to ask God if the book was true. Having gone to catholic schools all growing up, she had been taught to never question anything and she couldn't believe she could actually ask God for herself. Who knew I've taken that for granted my whole life?!
 
The Book of Mormon is true. It's as simple as that. You don't have to read all of it to know it, the spirit can testify to you in one verse. Pay attention to how you feel and the spirit will make it known to you as you ask God.
 
Love you!
Sister Mal

Saturday, October 10, 2015

week 35

I'm a little sad that conference is over and that we have to wait another 6 months.... but this weekend was amazing. It's incredible to me that the Lord truly answers our prayers and questions when we seek His guidance. The church is true!

so Mad pointed something significant to me today. On October 9th she will have been home from her mission for two years. Well one year ago on October 9th, I received my mission call.

One year ago I had no idea what in the world I had gotten myself into and I had no idea how amazing a mission really would be. I often think about the fact that I thought so long and hard about a mission and yet I got here and really had no idea what it was going to be like. Surprises came left and right and up and down. I remember telling Bishop Williams and President Oyler that I was done waiting and that I just wanted to submit the papers even though I wasn't sure if it's what I wanted to do. Now I look back and I just want to yell at myself a year ago and say, "DO IT DO IT DO IT! You will never regret it. I don't care how scared you are now, just trust the Lord and do it!" 

I was looking back at my journal from the night before I got my call and it ended with this, "It's been 3 weeks since the papers went in and I would say that each day I come closer and closer to the ultimate comfort that I've been searching for, for over two years. Moral of the story- move forward with faith when the time is right. The Lord might still hold us back when we move forward because the timing isn't quite right -- wait patiently, but be on your toes, always ready to move towards Him".

The next day I opened my call and as I read, "Florida Tampa Mission" I knew that it would be a place that I would hold close to my heart for the rest of my life, and I can honestly say that it has done just that. I love this place and every experience I am having. It's hard, don't get me wrong, IT'S HARD. But I wouldn't change it for anything. 

So if anyone out there is wondering whether or not to go, take it from someone who thought about it for well over two years... Do it, it's worth it and you will never regret it. 

I love you all!
sister mal

Eating in between conferences!

Maddie and Merrick... our favorite young women. They looked back at us during young women's this week and made these precious faces at us. I love them!



shout out to auntie Tamara for providing conference treats for us
all. You're the best!!