November 5

Monday already? These weeks need to slow down. 

Missionary work is a big game of hide and go seek. 
Except no one knows you're playing.
And you're always "it".

Things that were supposed to happen this week: a steak dinner 
Things that actually happened this week: whole foods gluten free frozen pupusas (still frozen)

Things I learned this week: 
1. Persistence 
Couple months a go we met a man by the name of David. We had a pretty solid contact, he wanted to learn more, we got his information, then never saw him again. We kept trying, then giving up (then the spirit gets the best of ya) so we try again. We finally were able to have a video messenger lesson with him this week. He thanked us for never giving up on him because he has been figuring out his new job, house, getting sugary etc but really really cares and wants to learn more about the Church.

2. Personality 
We met this sir named Hector. His parents were baptized three years ago but he was never interested. When we knocked into him (I can't even imagine the amount of parental prayers and tears that led us there) his dad let us inside and his mother got so excited! "Oh, Yay! I'll go grab Hector!" We sat with him for a while just getting to know him at first. Figuring out his past with the missionaries. He says "Wow, at least you two have personalities. The other boys that would come over made me think missionaries couldn't have one." Being authentic is important. (MINISTERING) 

3. Keeping promises 
Our boy Tyrell called us out for not sending him scriptures every day like we promised we would. "Those were really helping me, why did you stop?" Darn our human frailties. 
Also, we met this girl named Adama! She let us right in and sat down to listen. After talking for a second we realized that missionaries had talked with her before. She told us that they promised to come back on a Saturday and she waited for them but they never arrived. Darn. Again, missionaries are never perfect. 

4. Fellowshipping is real 
Abdul has been pretty down lately and he won't tell us why. We called him Sunday morning to ask if he could make it to stake conference. For the first time in weeks he was laughing and, with his thick accent ,"of course! Of course I will make it!" We later found out that some members in our ward have been reaching out and sharing scriptures with him and holding each other accountable for reading the book of Mormon. He said that he is discovering that power that comes from reading the scriptures.  


Here are my hippie thoughts from the week.. Each man and woman that has ever had the privilege of obtaining a body is all created by the same elements that our Earth was created. (Genesis 2:7) "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." It's easy to look at a beautiful landscape and feel close to God. But His even more precious creations are all of you people. I pray that we can see each other as beautiful creations. Precious souls. Feeling close to God with our families, co-workers, strangers. We are all made up of the same stuff! Everyone who has ever existed needs the saving Christ offers. Let's help each other out and remind each other of the hope of Christ. 
😊 "And I see people not as interruptions but as the purpose of my life" -Michelle D Craig (oct 2018) 

LOVE YOU ALL!!
-Sister Izzy Smith 
Attachments area

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Good News!!

Image
Good news, our birds are still eating the food we leave out for them on the balcony. We have a blue jay and a crow that are regulars. no big deal. Also good news, IM STAYING IN CRYSTAL CITY WITH SISTER MINAKER FOR ANOTHER SIX WEEKS  this week we gathered some nuts that had fallen off a tree and ended up along the road in the gutter. We cracked them and tried boiling them. I don't know what our end goal was.. but it didn't work. Advice: leave the gutter nuts, they are very bitter. We met a man on the fourth floor... last door (haha)!! He met with missionaries in Korea but lost contact when he moved back to America. WELL HELLO, MIRACLES! There is a part of preach my gospel where a recent convert expresses how when he found the church it filled a hole in his heart/life that he didn't know was missing. That's the best way I can explain how being on a mission feels like. I have found a piece of me I didn't know was missing. Life right before leaving was so wonderful...
Read more

I LOVE YOU

Image
Before I left on my mission I was worried about the work coming off as "here, let me tell you how to live your life." I hate that feeling. (Degrading advice?) But what I've realized, and what is so beautiful about this gospel, is that when people are wanting to change the teachings, the truths, the testimonies, they all have a spirit of love. People realize and feel that we are here helping them because of love. Not because our way is better than their way. But because they have tried their way & through personal trials they have realized that the only way is God's way. Missionaries teach God's way. And help our heavenly father's children understand His way. This work is so worth it, always, but especially when the people thank us for helping them get closer to Christ. GAH,  THIS IS THE BEST.  Whilst on exchanges this week...  I was in the YSA area right next to mine with mah girl Sister. Wayment. We had a lesson with someone she is teaching na...
Read more

Aug 19 SUNSHINE

Image
"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" (-alma 5:26) Alright!! I must tell y'all about Sam Sayem. We met him two weeks ago. I haven't mentioned him yet because I didn't want to take attention away from Brother Farraj and Megan!   WELL, SAM IS AWESOME. I met him on an exchange. He and his wife were getting their groceries and going into the house. They really didn't seem that interested. But God knows the heart because the next day my real companion and I were in that same apartment complex. We saw a man sitting in his car, so naturally we go wave him to roll down his window so we can talk to him (perks of being a sister). It was Sam!! He says "I read your pamphlet. I was going to call you today because I know there must be a prophet on earth today." (Grew up Muslim in Bangladesh might I add..) Well, since that d...
Read more