Hello Everyone,
Well my NEW companion is Sister Woods. She is
from England and because of that she has a strong accent. People in our area
have a hard time understanding her and so they look to me for translation. Haha
Luckily I understand her just fine, it must be because God put us together as
companions. I do at times struggle understanding what she is asking for because
they refer to things differently in England. So for example last night she asked
me if we had "100 and 1000s" I asked if she meant a 100 grand bar? She looked at
me like I was the crazy one and then kept saying 100 and 1000s like I would know
what she was talking about. After about a half hour of what seemed like the
weirdest game of charades I figured out she was talking about SPRINKLES! So
shopping together is interesting. But she is a really sweet girl and is really
nice to wake up earlier than we have to so I can work out. (She hates working
out so it is really nice that she makes the sacrifice for me).
Our area is blowing up. Its been one miracle after another. Our first day
together we had an appointment with Tasha and her daughters. (They are getting
baptized in 2 weeks) For the last couple of days I had been praying for help as
to how I could get Tasha's little sister Sierra to start taking the lessons with
us. Finally that night I felt inspired that it was time. So I asked if she would
join us. She told me that she will just sit in the other room and listen. As I
was about to start the lesson I felt the spirit tell me that it wasn't good
enough for her to just sit in the other room and that she needed to be involved
in the lesson. So I got up, took a deep breath and said while handing her a
pamphlet. We are going to read the first paragraph together and I am going to be
asking you a question. She looked at me a little shocked and then I smile. As I
walked back to my seat in the kitchen she got up and followed me to the kitchen.
The lesson went amazing she was really receptive and opened up to us about her
thoughts and feelings. My companion then invited her to be baptized. Sierra gave
a hesitant sure and tried to leave it at that. I felt like she should set a date
though so not knowing what day I walk to the calendar and just pointed to a
random date and asked her if she would prepare herself to be baptized this day.
She looked at me then at the day. She gave me a nervous sure. Then she looked
back at the day and just stared at it. The spirit filled the room as everyone
just watched her in silence. Sierra began to cry and whispered YES. It was
amazing the spirit was so strong. The date that we set with her is January 25th.
We know get to opportunity to help prepare her for this date. I don't believe
that I did anything special but I know that God really wanted to teach Sierra
that night and I luckily just got to be a part of it. My companion and I
literally skipped for joy to our bikes and where then embarrassed to realize
that the family had followed us out and they were laughing and saying good bye
to us.
The miracles didn't stop there. When we got to the
apartment I realized we had a missed call. I quickly called the number back and
heard a familiar voice on the phone saying "Sister Johnson, I am so glad to hear
from you. Do you remember me?" I thought and thought and then was filled with
joy when I realized that it was Brian and young man we met months ago at a less
active members home. We had given had talked to him a little about our beliefs
but were unable to set up a return appointment and he didn't have a phone but we
got his address. A few weeks later we were riding past his home and I felt like
we should stop and check on him. But I kept riding, the feeling didn't leave. I
turned to look back at his apartment, there he was riding his bike towards us. I
was so caught off guard I didn't know what to say so I said HI. He looked at me
and asked how we were doing. Sadly he was late to work and speed off before I
could set up a time we could come teach him. I felt awful that I didn't
immediately follow the promptings of the spirit and I thought that possible that
I might have just blown a great opportunity with teaching Brian. Over the next
few weeks his name would come to mind and I would just feel bad about it because
I didn't do as I was asked. But now here he was calling us, he explained on the
phone that he just bought a phone and asked his friends for our number. He said
that he doesn't know why but felt like we could help him and direct him on the
right path. I literally ran across the apartment and pulled out my planner and
said "when can we come over?" He laughed and we were able to set up an
appointment. It was incredible! The lesson with him went very well, he asked a
lot of good questions and committed to read the Book of Mormon. He also gave us
a soft commitment to be baptized if he finds it to be true. So keep him in your
prayers.
Here is a funny story for you guys.So this morning I woke
up at 12:30. I felt awful and jumped out of bed calling out to my companion
saying "o my goodness we slept in till midday. Hurry get up we have to get to
work." I than ran to the window and looked out to see that it was still really
dark. My companion was in a daze in her bed saying but its still dark outside.
My heart was racing so fast that I just couldn't focus and I told her no its
midday we have to get going, I can't believe we slept in so late. I felt like
the worst trainer. Than when I took a moment to slow down and looked at Sister
Woods she explained to me that it was not midday but that it was 12:30 in the
morning. Now my feelings of fear were replaced with embarrassment. When I woke
up at the correct time in the morning I hoped that last nights crazy fest was
just a dream and that Sister Woods didn't think I was crazy. But while we were
eating breakfast, she looked at me and said Remember when you went completely
crazy last night and started running around the house. Haha We had a good laugh
about it and just decided that I was crazy but she will keep me as her companion
anyways. I think being a trainer is stressing me out and my night panic attack
last night is proof of that.
Know that I love all of you and Love
my mission. It is amazing being able to give the best Christmas gift of all
which is the GOSPEL. This is the true church, the Book of Mormon is the word of
God. Don't be scared to share it. Miracles are happening everyday and not just
to the people wearing the missionary badge.
Stay close to
the spirit and never hesitate or doubt what you are feeling prompted to do.
LOVE ALWAYS,
Sister Johnson
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