Miracle Monday

Dear Family,

What a good week. I do have stories to tell!

First of all, dad, I forgot to tell you about my Thanksgiving. It was alright. We had it with a few people in our ward and some old people living in a retirement community. There wasn't room for us anywhere except at a table by ourselves, and then the elders sat by us. So we had an awkward Thanksgiving with the elders. but then we went to a family in the ward's house for pie, and that was nice. It was an okay day. It was our preparation day, which was weird.

Second of all, dad, I agree. I don't want you to pick me up out here. I just want to fly home at the end of my mission and rip that bandaid fast. We can tour my mission later with Willie or something (I would love to show you the historical sites, though!). It is strange that my release date is the 15th because my ministerial certificate expires on the 13th. Oh, well. So anyway, you can fill out the paperwork that you won't be picking me up.

So. This week.

Last Thursday was a good day. We taught our spanish speaking investigator finally, and just had her read the pamphlet in spanish. I want her to be baptized someday! Man...

On Friday we tried a former investigator from three years ago, and when we knocked on the door, she let us right in like she was expecting us and we were late. She's this awesome black lady named Ms. Karen (yes, she is married). Her reaction: "They finally sent me girls!!" Her Book of Mormon and all her pamphlets were still sitting in the middle of her coffee table next to her ash tray. It was awesome. I liked her right away, although we weren't able to really talk much. She used awesome phrases like, "It's jus that simple" "Jus keepin' it real" and "see wha I'm sayin'?" The best part was Sister Harding's reaction after we left. She's never met a real black person, I guess, let alone taught one. I love it. They are great people. She told us some awesome stories. She's really good at preachin'. I laughed so hard. We really wanted to teach her, but even though we called her two hours before church and she said she would come, she never did. It turns out that her daughter told us that we thought black people were animals and wouldn't give her a ride. Hopefully she comes this Sunday, but she's moving to Oklahoma soon. We'll send missionaries there once we get her new address.

Sunday was Fast Sunday. After thinking about it, I decided to fast to be able to find someone that was ready for baptism=a miracle. I know God can give us miracles if it is His will, and this wasn't a selfish request. I want to be able to help, and I felt like it was time. I later found out that Sister Harding was fasting for the same thing.

(oh, and the Christmas Devotional was great. :) )

So then Monday rolled around, the day after our fast. We headed out with a lot of energy. We had a former investigator that we felt really good about, but hadn't been able to find. So we called the elders so they could use their GPS to tell us where it was. We headed where they said, and it didn't exist. It was a beautiful day in the 70's, so we decided to try some doors. We met one man who wasn't interested, but when he found out that that new temple was ours, he said he wanted to check it out with his kids. We explained that he couldn't go in, but he still wants to go to the grounds and get a church tour. Sweet!

Then we tried some more doors, but no one answered. As we were leaving one door, there was a young man walking down the street. I just said hi, and when he turned to say hi, he looked excited to see us. He stopped in his tracks and stuck out his hand to shake ours. He was just coming home from work. He is a skinny white guy with a tattoo on his neck, some bling in his ear, and a flat brimmed hat, but with the light of Christ in his eyes as he was excited to see us. I asked if he had seen missionaries before, and he stared at my name tag for a second "uh... yeah!" He had met with missionaries before and even gone to church a few times, but had missed some appointments and then moved, so he had lost track of them. He wanted to come to church with us and start meeting with us again! He even still has his Gospel Principles manual. :)

I looked at him and said, "Kris, you know, you are an answer to my prayers. We know that the gospel has blessed us so much and made us so happy, and we just want people who will listen! We love sharing it! You are the answer to my prayers."

Then he said, "Yeah, you know, I was just thinking as I was walking how I wanted more religion again. In fact this last Sunday I was so deprived that I went down to that church," he said gesturing down the street with disgust. "Their bible study was just a bunch of men talking about current events."

We agreed that it was no coincidence that we had met him on the stree that day. And there was his house, across the street from us. The timing could not have been more perfect.

The spirit was prompting me to set him on a baptism date. We already had a return appointment with him in two days, but the spirit kept saying now. So I brought it up. "Did the other missionaries talk to you about baptism and what that means?"

"Oh yeah. That it isn't something you just do. There are steps you need to do to be ready for it."

"Would that be something you would be interested in?"

"Yeah, or else I wouldn't be talking to you." He was almost laughing at me.

"We are holding a baptismal service Dec. 29th. Would you prepare for that date?"

"Don't you kinda have control over when those things happen?"

"Yeah, but would you start working towards that day?"

"Yeah, sounds great."

He looked so happy. What a miracle! I wasn't there for our return appointment with him because I was on exchanges, but it sounds like it went well. He's coming to church this sunday. We are so excited!

We met some more people on that street that wanted us to come back (and one guy that was just hitting on me, but whatever. "here's a website." the end.)

Then we went to try a Part Member Family. They weren't home, but as we walked away, a dog ran up to us. It was cute so we said hi, and helped it go back to it's owner who was calling after it. It was a man named Tom. He has hit a real low in his life and realizes that he can't regain what he lost. He had a job, a wife, kids, a house, a car, and then he started using Meth, and he has lost it all. He is working on getting clean, but almost has lost hope that the future will be better. He was really humble and ready for some hope. The spirit was so strong. He asked us to pray for him, and as we did, I felt hope for him. He can do it. I am not afraid of him at all, and I really feel that he has been prepared. He's right, he will never regain what he had before, but if he turns to God, he can get something else good, and turn his life around. I believe it.

As we went home, we were both in shock about our miracle morning. The Lord answers fasts and prayers. He knows what he is doing and he loves us. When it is time for a miracle, it isn't bad to ask for one. He provides. It's His work anyway.

Tuesday I wasn't feeling so great. I almost wonder if I am reacting to my meds, so I am going to go off of them for a few days to see if it helps. Don't worry, I'm doing good.

Then yesterday we did an exchange with the full proselyting sisters in Odessa. It was a good day. They drive a truck and live in an ancient tiny house by themselve in a tiny town. It's awesome. We had a pretty good day. Except that they lost both of their progressing investigators. One is moving and the other got hit by a semi and broke his back and both legs. What a sad day!

So here we are on today. I am pretty worn out, so I am probably going to take a nap.

I love you all!

Have a great week!

 

Love,

Sister Atkin