[Sent 17 Feb 2015]
Rakkaat ystävät,
Hyvää Ystävänpäivää!
This week I learned what a real difference there is when we
are doing the work joyfully and having fun.
Between the two of us, there has been enough stress energy
to power a small town. But what do we do? We get over it and have a good time
anyway! The other night we didn't have good plans, so we went knocking on doors
as late as we could, then went and "heart attack-ed" a member family
and a former investigator. The whole evening we were laughing and making jokes
and just having fun with each other and when we talked to people, we had more
success because they could feel our joy and we could see it touch them.
Truly, "men are that they might have joy." We had
an investigator who said she loves the Mormons because they are always so
joyful, and it amazed her that young people like us could be so happy all the
time. When people around you can feel of your happiness, they are more
receptive to your message because they want to know what makes you so happy even
when times are hard.
On the investigator front, E is still doing well. He didn't
make it to church on Sunday, but his wife said that the lesson we had in
which we discussed some questions he's had really made a difference. Also, she said he's
been reading the Book of Mormon and is thinking about the gospel a little more
seriously.
O, an older woman who has met sporadically with the
missionaries for the last 10 year dropped us yesterday. Her children do not
like the church, and she is afraid of losing them, which is valid. Hopefully, down the road she will realize that the Lord will provide and soften the hearts
of her children, so that she can feel she is able to make this step.
Perhaps the saddest on our roster is that M said she needs a
break from us. She is still our friend, and wants to keep learning, but just
not for a couple months. I have faith that, as disappointing as it is right
now, she will get there, as long as we stay in contact with her. And, especially with the Branch President's wife as her friend, I really feel like
she will make it.
One interesting thing we did this week was attend the
Pentecostal church with T, the young woman we recently stopped teaching. I was
pretty nervous because I have never actually attended any other church than my
own and wasn't sure what to expect, but it was pretty cool. Even if the
form of worship itself didn't really stir me, I could feel that they really
love Heavenly Father and that He loves them just as much as He loves me. And I
could tell that T really appreciated the effort we made on her behalf, and came
away with a good impression of us.
So be happy. Love life. Live the gospel. Have fun. Stay
shiny!
Rakkaudella,
Sisar Hillebrant
 |
| Just like Peter, I can only walk on water with divine assistance . . . like freezing temps! |
 |
| The sun makes a rare appearance, as seen from our apartment window |
 |
| Tracting in Finland usually isn't this difficult |
No comments:
Post a Comment