Jun 25, 2012
Saturday was a hard day! I
stressed the night before because we had no appointments scheduled, we were out
of miles, the heat-index was into the high 90's or 100's and yet, we still
needed to get out and work. So I planned, and called, schemed, plotted, sought
help and none of my plans worked out. I prayed hard that we could go out and
whole day Saturday and work effectively even though we didn't have any
appointments.
After a massive miracle, I could not
believe it when we left the apartment and set off into the world. All I really
knew is that there were a ton of people on one of our ward lists and neither
myself nor my companion knew any of these people, so we were going out to meet
them, strengthen them, and set up follow-up appointments; with the added
benefit of being able to talk to people by the wayside.
We went house to house and met some
great people. One family fed us lunch (Which was great, because I stressed
about how we were going to eat lunch). We met some less-actives, strengthened
families, and were even taken to a home where the husband spontaneously asked
us to give him a blessing. It was a beautiful thing to be part of! No one in
this area has asked me or my companion to give them a blessing except one
other time for a less-active family's 2 year old son. It was a magnificent
experience to be an instrument in the Lord's hands and make known to this man
all that was to be made known to him. I felt edified by this miracle
and this tender mercy!
Then, after eating dinner with
another family, we went out to do a thing many missionaries highly
dislike. It's called "Power Hour." You get with a member at a
little before 6 pm, share a powerful quick, message. Then ask the head of
the household to give a prayer, combining everyone's faith that we
would be able to find someone(s) to teach. Then, from 6- 7 pm we go out
and FIND!!!! Yea, you can probably guess why this isn't the favorite activity
of many missionaries. But I have been pushing and pushing to go out and do
this every single day! On this day, we shared a powerful lesson, we asked the
head of household if he knew anyone that would be blessed by the message
of the restored gospel, he pointed out two houses and said, "Good
luck." We went to the first one and nobody was home. Then, we
went to the second house where the member described the man living there as
"Extremely Christian."
After ringing the doorbell, a man
comes to the door, pokes his head out looks both ways and says,
"You guys Jehovah's Witnesses?" "No" we say, "The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." "Wow! This is rare,
come in." he says. We then had a very long and awesome conversation
with this man and got a new investigator!! It was AWESOME!!!!
After this, we walked a few
miles back home, a member driving by drove us the last mile and we finished our
day as it should have happened- filled with miracles, and both extremely
sweaty.
The Lord's hand IS in this
work! He guides and inspires his servants according to their diligence and
righteousness. He WILL gather His sheep, regardless of whether we are
worthy and ready or not; His purposes will be accomplished. But if we are
ready, willing, and worthy; we get the amazing blessings which come from taking
part in His work.
I testify of Christ! I testify that
He lives! And that is all the reason in the world to go and labor diligently despite
the challenges which may seem less than ideal.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love Ya All
Elder Ryan A. Bell
No comments:
Post a Comment