1-13-2014

Hey all!

Alright, this is going to be a little brief, because I didn't plan much to say...but! I'mma gonna give you the update, so sit tight and get ready for it. Happy New Year by the way!

AN UPDATE:

So! Good week. I'm getting so used to missionary life now that it's P-day that feels out of the norm rather than the only day of 'real life'. That's probably a good thing. There's been a new focus in our mission on obedience (exact obedience if not 'strict-gonna-kill-yourself' obedience), and that's been helping us be a little more focused, making sure we're using all our time wisely, etc.

AN EXPERIENCE:

We had a bit of a roller coaster week with one of my favorite investigators, Molly Mendenhall. Here's the experience as written to my president (trying to conserve on time)

Molly is amazing (a real estate agent and a friend of a great woman in our ward) and we had a wonderful miracle lesson with her this Monday. We saw her once before in late December, had left her with the Restoration Pamphlet and an invitation to read the title page of the Book of Mormon, and came back this week to follow up on how that had gone for her. Well, it went really well. She understood the Restoration pamphlet, but was really carried away by the introduction page of the Book of Mormon. She kept saying 'of course' and 'it makes sense that there would be more'. In addition to that great experience, she also had a dream where she felt God speaking to her, explaining about who Jesus Christ was and why he was important. Before our meeting with her, Molly had a belief in God, but didn't quite believe in Christ, didn't ascribe to Christianity exactly. But as of our second meeting with her, she did! And she also was open and excited about the concept of more scripture and modern prophets. We actually had the Ensign from last conference with us, so we left that with her as well as the invitation to read a few talks, Alma 32 and the Plan of Salvation Pamphlet. It was wonderful and so exciting. While we were talking to her she did say something along the lines of 'well, I'm not in a position to become a Mormon'...but we didn't delve into that as perhaps we should have.

Sunday and our scheduled return appointment roll around, and she calls us because she's sick and has work...but in the message she left, she also expressed that she wouldn't be able to meet with us anymore. Though she wants to see us one more time, she's 'not going to do anything' and didn't want to waste our time. We're worried that this perhaps is a result of our over-excitement from our Monday lesson, or perhaps our calling her Saturday to ask if we could bring a member along...not sure what it was, but it was a definite bummer. She was so close, and you could really feel the spirit working with her towards real conversion. We are going back Tuesday to see what pieces we can pick up, and how we can continue to invite her to learn more...but man, I was surprised by how painful it was to hear that. I analyzed her voice message like a little boy who's girlfriend has just broken up with him; pretty pathetic. But! We'll do the best we can with Tuesday, and try to listen better to the spirit when it's warning us about certain things (we didn't feel so great about inviting a member along, but chose to do it anyway, etc.). And...that's that. Studied 'patience' in PMG this morning, and felt a lot of comfort in the line "Patience is related to hope and faith--you must wait for the Lord's promised blessings to be fulfilled." So we will move on with faith, patience and dilligence, watching for miracles and the Lord's hand in this area. 

So! That's been that. A little tough, but livable. Still, my heart was hurting yesterday. 

A SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

I've gotta say, Alma 36-42? Probably my favorite section in the Book of Mormon. Maybe because it's the advice a really great prophet gives to his missionary sons, and I always feel in need of really great advice from really great prophets. Here's an excerpt of something I particularly loved:

Alma 38:4

"For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word's sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee."

I know, I know. Not trying to sound like a bummer missionary...I am not in bonds! Nor have I yet been stoned for the word's sake! But I do like how this verse encourages us to bear all things with patience, or rather tells us that we can bear things with patience as we rely on the Lord and recognize that he's with us. I know that's true for all of us, that we can be patient in affliction, trusting that the Lord, in time, will fulfill his promises to us. 

A PICTURE:

This is the picture on the back of my planner this transfer. The three's represent 3 transfers with the same companion and in the same area. ;) Half my mission so far baby!! 

Love you all so much. Keep letters and emails coming!

XOXO

Sister Hale