3/13/12
On Tuesday afternoon I wrote letters while watching Mountain
of the Lord, one of my favorite movies. It’s amazing to think they spent
40 years building such a wonderful temple. In the evening we had a lesson
with a super awesome twelve-year-old. He is way excited to be learning about
the Church and is looking forward to his baptism. He lives with his
grandparents (who are members), and he is just great. I am so glad I have
the chance to teach him.
On Wednesday, we had district meeting, a good
experience. I am glad that we are able to meet as missionaries and help
each other learn and grow. I learned a lot at the meeting and was spiritually
uplifted. We all went out to lunch afterward, and it was nice to get to
know some of the elders I will be working with. We taught several lessons
on Wednesday, and I am so grateful for the love I feel for those I am
teaching. I can just feel my Heavenly Father's love for those I meet, and
it helps me want to help them even more. Every day I get a little bit
more comfortable teaching in lessons.
On Thursday we met with a less active member. When we
first started talking to her, she didn't really seem that interested in
listening. Then, as we continued to testify to her, she seemed to soften.
The Atonement and the peace and joy it brings into our lives can help lift
people who are struggling. I love the Atonement! It not only allows
me to be redeemed from sin but it also enables me to overcome inadequacies and
insecurities.
On Friday we had weekly planning. It takes a long
time, but it helps direct our week. There was a misunderstanding, and I
realized how incredibly important it is to think the best of people.
While it isn't easy to always think the best, I know that it makes life easier
when we do. We have also been focusing a lot on talking to the different
auxilaries from the different wards. They often know who in their ward
boundaries is most prepared to meet with the missionaries. They also know
which nonmembers are coming to church.
On Saturday, we taught a high school girl. Some of her
friends have been making some pretty stupid choices. Because of that, she
is having to deal with things no teenager should ever have to think
about. She asked for a blessing, so the elders in her area were at the lesson
too. (They had been teaching her, but her dad was more comfortable with
sisters teaching her.) She knows the Church is true, and she has been
standing up for beliefs that other Mormon kids are throwing by the
wayside. She is just scared about the big commitment. Anyway, after
this super awesome lesson with her and the added comfort she received from the
blessing, she committed to baptism! It was so exciting. I could
just see her face light up when she finally made the decision. We met
with her again on Sunday, and she just seemed so happy and excited. I
love the joy the Gospel brings!
On Sunday we went to a few different wards and sat in on the
first part of a ward council. In one of the wards, an older lady passed
us a note to get our phone number. Then she wrote something that neither
me nor Sister Davis could read. We honestly thought she was going senile
and had forgotten momentarily how to write. Well, it turns out it was
shorthand. Sister Davis and I were just cracking up. I mean, who
even knows shorthand anymore?
We also got a really exciting message on our phone.
One of the ward mission leaders called to say he had set up an appointment for
us. There was a man who showed up at church and said he had moved to Utah
to find out what the Mormons were all about. How crazy is that?
Sister Davis and I are excited to meet him and hear his story. I
cannot even tell you how many times people have stressed the importance of
obedience as a missionary
On Monday we taught a less-active single father and his
son. The boy was so hard to talk to. He said almost nothing the
entire time we were teaching. I am going to try to come up with ways of
getting him to talk and open up in lessons.
I love missionary work so much. I am lucky that I get
to spend my day learning and teaching about Jesus Christ. I was reading
in 2 Nephi 2, and it blew me away how many truths are in there. I don't
think I ever realized before how much agency is mentioned and how much eternal
life is emphasized. The Church is true. Heavenly Father loves us
and wants us to be happy by following the example of our Savior. I love
you all so much, and I am glad to hear all is going well.
Love,
Sister Snow