How are y'all? Really weird to see that it's Christmas time, that it's come around again so quickly, and that by the end of this year, I'll have been on my mission for 7 months. Pretty incredible. But without further ado:
AN UPDATE:
Things have been a little bit frustrating this week, though we had some really good things happen too. Some good things include: finding a new investigator (Rich) who is big into researching religions and has a lot of questions. Also Kristie, who dated a Mormon in High School and now wants to learn more about the church. Otherwise we got a lot of referrals (which hopefully denotes the members' trust in us) and taught some good less active lessons. Had a lot of appointments fall through this week though, which could've partially been our fault. Gearing up and trying to be more diligent and responsible this week though. I have faith that as we work hard, and as we work to put more trust in the Lord and less trust in ourselves, that things will go better in the upcoming week. Like Sister Ah-Chong often says 'sometimes the Lord brings you low before he brings you high.' I think that will be the case for me.
A PROFILE:
Name: Tom
Reason the missionaries were scared of him: Several highly visible No Trespassing signs on his property
Profession: Runs a metal shop out of his back yard (brags about how he melts all his pop cans into aluminum discs which he can then sell)
Accessory of Choice: a grungy beanie shoved over a tangled mass of hair, and a series of plaid shirts filled with holes
Experience with Religion: Forced into a Christian school when he was young because he acted up in regular school. Has since lost interest in a lot of religion, and is favoring the Alien theory these days. Still, his girlfriend Jean is interested, and he's willing to take a Book of Mormon and read it on occasion.
Bad Habit: turning the conversation to the government and how everything is going to pot; breaking off mid-sentence to glare at the cars that drive past his house.
Point of Note: Rough dude, but incredibly good heart underneath all the grunge. Girlfriend's just about as gnarly, but somehow between the two of them they've produced this little angel-diva of a daughter. They have no idea where she's come from, but they both love her a lot.
A SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:
A scripture that's really stood out to me this week is Alma 16:16-17. It reads:
"And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming--That they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord their God."
This is my desire as a missionary, that people's hearts might be softened that they might not "go on to destruction." I love that image of being grafted into the true vine, which to me equates to coming home. There is a real peace of mind and heart to be found in the Gospel, and this is what I desire to bring to people the best I can (as enabled by the Lord).
A PICTURE:
I know I don't look very happy in that picture. But I AM happy with our tree, and our other decorating. Here's one where I look happier!
Brother Chevara (a semi-active but SUPER AWESOME member of our ward) showed us his sword collection this past week. SWEET.
Alright, I love you all. Stay close to me and the Lord during this awesome Christmas season!
XOXO
Sister Hale
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