So if any of you remember last night was transfers. I began all week to
worry about what's going to happen to me. I was finishing up training,
meaning I was on the chopping block. I was pretty sure I
would be moving and
if so i was hoping to just move into a normal companionship. Then I started
to feel like maybe I would train so than I can stay longer here. Well the
zone leaders took forever sending out the transfer call. It was almost an
hour late. While waiting for the call I got a call from the assistant to the
president (ap) elder Austin That is never a good sign on transfers. Everyone
in the room begins to cheer, excited to hear what was going to happen. The
first thing elder Austin said was "Johnson you get the transfer call
yet, ... what do you think?" My heart was racing and I yelled no
what's happening. He than laughed and said "pack your pages your moving
to Corning to shot gun train. See you at the mission office Wednesday."
We
talked for a moment about how they prayed about my call and have full
confidence in me. I just kept thinking to my self what am I getting myself
into. I am extremely nervous. Not only is it my first
time moving but it's
with some one who doesn't know the area. We have to go in there and figure
everything out the hard way. I don't know anything about my area and I have
to train on top of that. I am pretty sure it's also a car area which is
really bumming me out. I love my bike and will try and figure out a way to
use it in my new area. I don't know how to be a missionary with a car. Going
with out one for 6months really makes me hate them, i get car sick when I am
in one because I am not used to going that fast. But the weirdest thing
of all is that by the end of training in Corning I will have been on
my mission for 9 months. Which also mean I will have been going
through the training manual (12 week program) for my 9 months with out
a break. Man there really must be something I am supposed to be
learning and I am just not figuring it out yet haha. :) but I am touched
that my mission president does put so much trust and faith in
me.
This week though has been a bit of a struggle. With the rain
you would think more People would be home and ready to listen but
no everyone was shutting there door on us saying hey we're sick. I
was getting frustrated with the lack of work. I figured I was leaving
and wanted to leave on a high note. So I wasn't taking no as an answer.
I told my companion my goal. I wanted us to get 5 new investigators for a
3rd week in a row. I also wanted double digits in number of lessons. She
seemed a little doubtful with how things were working out and didn't want to
work in the rain. But knowing I wanted to work no matter what she supported me
in my goal. So we made tons of jokes about the
rain and how the more drops
that hit us the hotter our husband gets and competitions if who gets the
biggest goose bumps. It made the wet and cold more enjoyable. I am happy to
say after a long cold week of rain and talking to everyone we made our goal.
We found 5 new investigators. And had a good number if lessons. Over all it
was a good week and it makes me sad to think I don't get to teach the 15
new investigators. But I feel good about leaving the ward better than
I found it. We had an amazing turnout at church. 4 investigators came and
8 less actives. I believe that is a record for us.
There was an amazing
story to go along with on of the less actives though. So we went to their
home knowing that they have been offended and have some judgements about the
church. When we got there they were just pulling up so We began to talk to
them on the sidewalk. the wife opened up to me in a very defensive matter.
She through out bold statements like Joseph smith just wrote the Book of
Mormon and God contradicts himself in that book. I felt instantly like I
was
being attacked and wanted to say how dare you talk so poorly
about something so beautiful. But then I felt the spirit prompt me to
ask her simply why? She shared some examples and I was able to
explain those verse to her. She than dropped it like they were
suitable answers for her. Than I felt the spirit prompt me to say "I know
you are a logical women so here is some logic. We believe god is the
same yesterday today and forever. With that we then should believe that
the same way Christ established the church in his time is the same way
it should be established now. That is how this church is established.
we have a prophet who is led and guided by our savior. we also have
12
apostles who are special witness of Christ. We are the only church with
that" I bore my testimony of the church and of Joseph smith right there on
the side walk. My companion than bore hers. The lady stood there speechless
and than said quietly true. She new that she felt the spirit and that she was
taking her personal feeling which were hurt by members and blaming them on
the church. We left with excitement because we both felt he spirit so strong.
And to our surprise there she was Sunday morning at church and when we walked
in she gave us a huge wave and smile. It was such a miracle to me to see her
heart being softened. I know that was because of the spirit testifying
to her and we were just blessed to be an instrument.
I can't get
over the fact that I am finally leaving. I am also sad to leave because I
have 2 baptisms at the end of the month both of these individuals are so
excited to join the church and say I
am like there family and now I am
leaving them. The few weeks before baptism is really a hard time. I want to
be here to help them through it. But most importantly I want to be here to
support them on there big day. They asked if I would be there and it broke my
heart to say I will try but I don't know if I can. I pray that they will both
make it to there goal of being baptized by someone holding the
proper
priesthood authority with or without me. I know this is the lords
work and it can run smoothly without me but that's my
controlling personality wanting to be here and over see everything. But I
have faith in these individuals and most importantly I have faith in
my father in heaven. I know that he will bless and protect them along with
this area. I feel so blessed to have worked in such an amazing area and with
so incredible people. I have loved watching there conversions and have seen
miracles everyday. I will always have a love for Yuba city and it will always
be my mission home. A lot of the members already have plans on what they want
to do with me after my mission and have opened there home to me whenever I
need.
I want all of you too know that I am happy and loving
my mission. His church is true and because of at it will require us to
do hard things. It will make us stretch farther than we have stretched
so
that we can reach our full potential. It's because our father in heaven
loves us and wants to help us to grow that he requires us to do so much work.
And if you really think about it, he doesn't ask for too
much for all that he
has done for us. I know this to be true and I love the challenge the mission
is. But it may lead to me getting grays sooner in life. :)
Love
you.
Sister Johnson
I will post my new address next week when I
get it.
Sent from my iPad
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