FAMILY!
Well... The cold
bug got a hold of this girl and I have a lovely cough, so, now I sound like an
80 year old man who has smoked all his life... #notevenjoking. Haha! It’s actually kind of hilarious! Ha!
This week I
stayed in Pedro Juan almost the whole 7 days. I went to Concepcion for a
conference and then came back the next day.
This week Hna
Ashby and I found SO many new families and we are stoked to work with
them! I think I’m getting Hna Ashby sick
though... just heard her start sniffling at the computer next to me... SHOOT!
Haha!
According to Hna
Ashby’s paper chain there is only 60 more days until Christmas... just for
those that are wondering!! ;) Bring it on!! It’s all good with us! :) We are happy, We
are working hard, We are loving life out here in Pedro Juan -- and we are also
slightly nervous for cambios next week because it sounds like there will be BIG
changes out here! It’s been such a good run with Hna Ashby and such happy companionship,
but I think she ready to train.... Yes, mark my words... she will be training!!
:) Haha! Anywhoooo...
Well, last week
I put my "ponderizing" scripture to the test and WOW! It changed the
whole week.. We saw miracles! Wow, the Lord is so good!
Helaman 3:35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax
stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and
firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls
with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and
the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification
cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."
I love this
scripture because it’s all about experiencing true submission and repentance, or in other
words, a "true change of heart". But it also demonstrates how that
change is not effortless... it requires deliberate energy and desire on our part.
SO... this week
I really made an added effort to teach our investigators and families in a way
that would convey the importance of repentance, that they might truly submit
their hearts and be converted. And also
so that they might better comprehend our purpose as missionaries and that we
are there to invite them to come unto Christ and become converted to him
through faith, repentance, baptism and confirmation. Or more simply.. HELP THEM HAVE THE VISON AND
UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED :) because they will understand it as a crucial,
vital and ever so important step.
And wow, I don’t
know why I didn’t put this extra emphasis on teaching sooner... it changes
everything.
We have been
working with one of our investigators, C, for a few weeks now. C was an atheist buddhist, who was angry with
God for having felt abandoned in the midst of her trials (and she has truly had
many). She was not happy and she
recognized that she had no peace or joy in her life. She found herself ready to embark in this
search for faith and that was exactly when WE were lead to her! :)
The first visit
we had with her, we talked about faith and the process in obtaining it. We
looked to understand her needs and also to help her understand the importance
of prayer, church, and the scriptures in finding her faith.
Then, on the
second visit, she shared with us that YES! She had ben saying her prayers and
she was reading the Book of Mormon. She is so GREAT! We decided to show her a conversion story from
the Book of Mormon. So we shared the conversion of King Lamoni. We showed her what the missionaries in that
time presented the king and what the king was then instructed to do. We broke
down the conversion process to help her see the goal, what the end was. Just
the fact that we are here shows YES she can have faith, BUT we are also here to
help her have more than that! :) We are here to help her have a testimony, to
be converted and prepare herself to return back to her Heavenly Father. I don’t
think I have ever seen anyone so full of light, so full of hope as I saw her in
this moment. She even commented to it
and began to share special experiences where she is personally coming to know
that God is answering her prayers and that He really is there -- and has always
been there for her.
She is ready to
go forward and start with the lessons, to pray and ask the Father if they are
true and study and pray on her own time... and not because it’s what "we
the missionaries" are assigning her to do, but rather because she really
understands that these are the only things that will help were wax strong in
her faith in Christ, that these are the things that will bring purification and
sanctification to her. And there are
special blessings awaiting her as she begins keeping these small commandments.
I really do know
that prayer and fasting are just two of the many tools our Father in Heaven has
given us to succeed here in this life! :) I know that our prayers are received and
that the Father, in His own time, will answer every single prayer that is
delivered unto him! :)
I love you all
so much! Go make someone smile! :) And every one should take a picture this
week and send it to me! Haha YES!! :) I want a bunch of happy pics! :) I know
Grandma will... she’s the best at that!
Keep up the good
work family!
XOXOXO
Hermana Fardos
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