Dearest Family,
I thought about teasing mom and
telling her that I extended my mission. But alas, my 2 year Visa won't allow
it. So we shall meet next week XD
It's been another good week.
We've talked with lots of people, had some good lessons, and good experiences.
Here are some juicy dets.
The People
We've decided not to teach one of our investigators for now until things are more clear/safe, due to her religious background. She
drove all the way to Watford yesterday for Stake Conference though. Pretty
neat.
Cherdale... Ahh sadness. We had
two really good lessons with her this past week. On the second, we asked her
how she was feeling about her baptism. Her response: "I want to do
it". Next thing you know, a day or two later, we got a text from her
saying she won't be at church on the weekend because she's visiting her aunt.
We texted back, and got no response. We call her, and it rings once and goes to
voicemail. It seems as though she blocked our number. My feeling is that she
came across some anti material. The saddest thing, is that she's felt the
Spirit many times as she's met with us, read, prayed, and came to church. She
was keeping the Word of Wisdom. She believed the Book of Mormon was true. Then
all the sudden, everything changes and it's like she forgot all of those
experiences. Even though we're no longer meeting with her, I know that a seed
was planted. And I hope one day she remembers the great experience she had, and
has a change of heart.
Funny
I wore holes in my right shoe, so
much that it gave me a blister. It was bad enough that I needed another pair of
shoes. So, with permission, saturday morning I wore my basketball shoes with my
suit, and bought a new pair of shoes (hence the withdrawal on my account, dadda
:).
I sang the "En un lejano
bosque ya canta el cucko..." to my companion one night. Apparently he
knows the song in portuguese, and there's another verse about a wolf. Good
stuff.
While talking with people last
night, we met a guy that was selling Frankinsence. He gave us some for free. It
smelled really good.
Elder Sabin (of the 70; he spoke
at General Conference in the Saturday AM session) was at Stake Conference, as
the Watford Stake Presidency was reorganised. He shared a story from Elder
Christofferson. Elder Christofferson was about to speak when he looked at the
pulpit and read a message that said "speak slowly for you are being
translated." Elder Christofferson then looked up towards the ceiling.
Thoughts
It's pretty strange to be writing
my last email to you right now. It doesn't feel real. I think back over the
past almost-two years, and I've had so many experiences and learned so much.
I'm really grateful for the opportunity I have had every day to talk with my
brothers and sisters, and bear testimony of Jesus Christ, of His Gospel, The
Plan of Salvation, the Book of Mormon, and many other Restored Truths. I feel
such joy from something as simple as opening my mouth, and talking with people.
I know the Lord approves my efforts. He's concerned with the process, with my
efforts, and commitment, which are things I know I can give my all for. I look
forward to this last full week, to giving my all in talking with everyone, and
giving my mission one final push. I will forever look back on my mission with
gratitude for how the Lord has shaped me during this time of my life. Thanks
for all your support for me! It's been so long since we've been together, but
it feels like the blink of an eye. Have a wonderful week! I look forward to
seeing you soon.
I'll close with a powerful
scripture that sums up and missionary or church service. It's the Lord speaking
to Nephi in Helaman 10:
4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for
those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with
unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this
people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but
hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
5 And now, because thou hast done
this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will
make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all
things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask
that which is contrary to my will.
Much love,
Elder Withers