Hi!.... Okay so this is going to have to be SUPER fast... which is lame because there is so much I want to share with you... but there is only an hour left in P-day and my comp still needs to email her family on this computer. AHHHH!!!! Stressful life.
So to speed things up here is my presidents letter.
Hey President,
First of all. This week was a little hard. Anabel got a job and told us she doesn't have time for us anymore... we're going to try and be really annoying until she lets us meet with her on her day off but we'll see what happens... It broke my heart. Really cool thing though is that we picked up an investigator of about 8 years and have started working with her. Her family is her priority and so she cant get baptized because her "husband" wont marry her and she wont leave him. But she is so faithful. She had a goal to finish reading the book of Mormon by the end of the year. She was only in Jacob. So we figured it out and together we are ready 12 pages a day (in SPANISH!) to accomplish that goal. I've seen the book of Mormon work miracles and that is what we are praying for. either way, we'll both have finished reading the book of Mormon in Spanish by the end of the year.
Something I learned this week: So I started messaging a friend I've had FOREVER back home who is completely less active. I found out this week that in reality she is atheist... but by what she said I think she believes in God, she just doesn't understand him so she says she doesn't... I am still trying to figure out how to respond without going all missionary on her... but! While I was studying for her I read this quote... okay... so I can't find it... but basically It says that as we grow closer to Christ Change is the natural consequence and blessing. Man was I slapped in the face. I told you last week that the whole idea that I had changed kinda bothered me... I have always been an independent person and that only increased when I moved away from home. But as I read this quote I realized that in my ignorance when I wasn't appreciative and grateful for the change that I have achieved I was basically slapping Christ in the face and saying no thanks... In effect, moving further away from him than closer. I have made a resolution and commitment to rely more on Christ. A thought hit me this week that we either have to let Christ pay for our sins or we have to... either way the price has to be paid... and yet the only way we are saved is if we allow Christ to do it. We can't do this alone. I can't be independent in my salvation. I need Christ. I don't want to try to do it alone anymore. He can change me all he wants... and he's already letting me know exactly what he needs me to change next.
-Sister Hale
First of all. This week was a little hard. Anabel got a job and told us she doesn't have time for us anymore... we're going to try and be really annoying until she lets us meet with her on her day off but we'll see what happens... It broke my heart. Really cool thing though is that we picked up an investigator of about 8 years and have started working with her. Her family is her priority and so she cant get baptized because her "husband" wont marry her and she wont leave him. But she is so faithful. She had a goal to finish reading the book of Mormon by the end of the year. She was only in Jacob. So we figured it out and together we are ready 12 pages a day (in SPANISH!) to accomplish that goal. I've seen the book of Mormon work miracles and that is what we are praying for. either way, we'll both have finished reading the book of Mormon in Spanish by the end of the year.
Something I learned this week: So I started messaging a friend I've had FOREVER back home who is completely less active. I found out this week that in reality she is atheist... but by what she said I think she believes in God, she just doesn't understand him so she says she doesn't... I am still trying to figure out how to respond without going all missionary on her... but! While I was studying for her I read this quote... okay... so I can't find it... but basically It says that as we grow closer to Christ Change is the natural consequence and blessing. Man was I slapped in the face. I told you last week that the whole idea that I had changed kinda bothered me... I have always been an independent person and that only increased when I moved away from home. But as I read this quote I realized that in my ignorance when I wasn't appreciative and grateful for the change that I have achieved I was basically slapping Christ in the face and saying no thanks... In effect, moving further away from him than closer. I have made a resolution and commitment to rely more on Christ. A thought hit me this week that we either have to let Christ pay for our sins or we have to... either way the price has to be paid... and yet the only way we are saved is if we allow Christ to do it. We can't do this alone. I can't be independent in my salvation. I need Christ. I don't want to try to do it alone anymore. He can change me all he wants... and he's already letting me know exactly what he needs me to change next.
-Sister Hale
So... this may have been one of the longest weeks in my mission with how much the Lord is pushing me and trying to teach me. Our President has asked us to remain focused as we get ipads this transfer and everything and so I have thought about some areas that I need to be more focused in. The first is my studies. So this week I have really tried to go in with purpose and an open heart. and he's taught me so much. What I wrote to president is such a small part of it.
The second thing is the members. We need to be focusing on building relationships with them. We kind of let that lag a little as soon as we got an investigator... maybe that's why the Lord took her away... I don't know... but we need to make sure we are working well with the members to make this a strong pool.
Accountability is next. What Jacob wrote really taught me a lot about that principle and about wanting to be proactive in being excited and proud in reporting our efforts to the Lord and to our leaders.
and Finally, Work. I just want to work. Its been a little difficult adjusting to city life as a missionary. We're with other missionaries so much that its hard not to socialize and get caught up in that. But I just want to work and focus on that. Its interesting because the new English sister across the hall shared with me some experiences with just working hard on her mission and I had to think, I am not sure I've ever worked as hard as I could. So I focused on it for just 24 hours... and miracles happened.... and I really don't have time to tll you about them all! I am sorry. I have to go. I have to be nice to my comp. What did you guys decide about the christmas tradition?
Sorry!
I love you all!
-Sister Maren Hale
P.S. Dad... no the marathon didn't go through my area.
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