The saddest moment I have had in Diamond Bar other than saying good-bye to Sister Hernandez would have to be what happened this Wednesday. We had a wonderful lesson with Madelyn all planned and it was going to bring everything back to where it needed to be for her to continue to progress. But the Lord has a different idea. When we sat down for the lesson she began to tell us that her brother was not happy with her continuing to meet with us. In that minute the Spirit told us to let her go for a time. The gospel is supposed to bring families together, not tear them apart. So we felt that if we were causing contention between her and her only sibling. It must not be her time yet. She told us that we made her a better person than who she was 5 months ago and that we brought the sparkle back into her life! She said the sweetest prayer and then we said goodbye. I left her with my testimony and asked her to listen to the missionaries if they were to ever pop up on her doorstep again in the future and she said she would. She knows she is always welcome and invited to church during this time of pondering and questioning in her life. We love Madelyn.
THEN to top it all off this Saturday our sweet investigator Elizabeth decided to stop meeting with us as well. She did it in the most gentle, warm, and polite manner. She invited us in and told us that she is comfortable where she is at but she is so grateful for our friendship and the Spirit we have brought into her life. So THE SPIRIT that we have is real and people feel it. It is different! That was sad but I know she is one step closer to where she needs to be to be ready.
We have had awesome scripture studies with Tesan lately. We are showing her how to actually study the scriptures by using all the books in the Quad. We read Mosiah 4 which is one of the favorites in the Book of Mormon for me. Vs. 6 talks about the 4 things we can do in this life to have the promise which is in vs 12. "Ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God and always retain a remission of your sins. Ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you" What an amazing promise! And what we have to do in order to qualify for that blessing is simple! 1. Come to a knowledge of the goodness of God 2. The atonement of Jesus Christ 3. Put our trust in the Lord 4. Be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord to continue in faith.
All my studies have really come together lately to create one common practice to stay rooted in Christ. (August Ensign 2016) It is a choice we decide where and how deep our roots are planted! And the incremental one-step-at-a-time good choices creates a foundation of effect. Because all of our actions and inaction's have consequences. So if we would all stop complexifying the gospel and let it simplify our lives. We will always rejoice no matter the complex.
As you all know I love being a missionary. If you were to remember anything from these emails I hope you remember my testimony that I know living the gospel works. It brings us happiness, peace, and direction just as promised. The Lord never leads us astray and He loves each one of us equally and uniquely. Remember that He loves you and He knows you.
Have a wonderful week!
With all my love,
Sister Holt
Pictures:
1. The District! Embrace the Awkward
2. We Match!
3. At the Hindu Temple!
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| We match. #twinnersagain |
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| District - Embrace the Awkward |
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| Sister Crane and I at the Hindu Temple |
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