"Catch the Vision"
Hola and howdy y'all!
So it is another good week here in Hammond.
This
week was a little slower because of transfers even though we didn't get
transferred. We did a lot of planning this week for how we can best
help this ward and how we can best do our work as missionaries. We came
up with a plan to invite the members of this ward to be the ones that
invite less-actives back to church. We are calling this plan "Catch the
Vision." Each day we plan to invite an active family or member to get
in contact with someone that they know who is struggling with activity
and invite them to come back. It has been received really well by the
members so far!
So one of the cool things that
happened this week is that we got in contact with the Strausbaughs again
for the first time in a while! They have been keeping the commitment to
have family prayer each day and have seen benefits not only for
themselves but for others that they have prayed for! It was so cool to
get with them and to hear about their experiences with prayer. We also
committed them to add scripture study to their nightly routine and they
accepted so we will see how that goes!
We also
got to spend a lot of time with our Spanish investigators this week! The
four that are progressing are Eivar (A-bar), Gregorie, Janice, and
Melanie. They have all prayed about our message and felt good about it!
They all said that they felt peace when they prayed and Eivar explained
it as a great tingling in his whole body!! They are such good people and
I can't wait to see how much they grow! They all came with us to Stake
Conference this past Sunday
in Denham Springs and they loved it! Joel and Brother Abel also took
them to see the Temple after Conference because they are interested in
seeing it!
So one of the questions that we
will get every now and then out here is, 'Why are y'all here?' or 'How
are y'all crazy enough to pay to come out here to preach?' I have been
studying the New Testament a lot these past few weeks and I think that
Peter and John give a great answer to the Pharisees. Acts 4:19-20
19
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in
the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
That
is exactly why I am willing to give up my time and my money to serve
God. As a missionary we can only speak the things that we have seen and
heard or in other words the things that we know. I know that this Gospel
is the one and only effective way to find happiness and joy in this
life and in the life to come. I know that through the scriptures and the
teachings of the Prophets, we will come closer to our Heavenly Father
and to his Son, Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ lived, suffered
and died for us, but more importantly I know that He lived again for
us!! How can I not tell others about these great things that can bring
them happiness and peace?! This is why I am a missionary.
Have a great week y'all!
Elder Stoddard out!
