A new year keeps arriving before we've even got use to the past year. It'll take a while before it sinks in that we've already arrived at 2011. It's funny because it doesn't seem like that long ago when it was high school graduation or college graduation. Wow does time fly by quickly!
We have a new goal in the mission that we have been asked by our mission president to follow. It has always been a pet peeve when people would call us and ask for a specific missionary or when we would speak in a singular form. This is a companionship, so we should be united and not singled out in the work. So, today we received an email from our mission president asking us to "not use the pronouns I or me as we verbalize to each other, ward members, to our companions, letters home, and to the mission president. Our communications and thoughts should be directed to we, us and them." This sounds like a wonderful idea because it really will help us focus on missionary work being a unified program. So, until Pres. Hall clarifies this new goal, we'll see if we can actually write home to our families without using a singular pronoun. Let's just say, it will be hard and/or really bad grammar. :-D
This past week, as a companionship, we have been tracting a lot. We have two deaf investigators right now who we are helping prepare for baptism. These are the only investigators in our teaching pool. No matter how many people we talk to in a day, we aren't finding anyone interested in listening to us. It is hard to understand how people can be so satisfied with their life and closed off to the opportunity to learn more. If only they could understand all the "light and knowledge" they are missing. They say they are content with what the Bible is teaching them, but don't they realize that with the fullness of the gospel and the gift of the Holy Ghost that the scriptures will bring even more understanding? Every time the Bible is studied in the perspective of the restored gospel, things seem to fall into place perfectly, and past confusion is clearly shown. It's awful how Satan has muddled things so well that people are afraid or unwilling to listen. They say they are Christian, but isn't it a part of being Christian to be willing to discuss about our faith and belief in Jesus Christ? It doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that if a person approaches us wanting to discuss our Savior that our response should be, "We already believe in Jesus Christ [slam door]." It is such a relief to be a part of this church and already have the truth laid before us. We are taught from infancy the importance of learning, growing, asking questions, sharing testimony, etc. There is no "satisfied." We learn that with the help of the Holy Ghost, diligent prayer and scripture study, and faith to receive an answer, the Lord will guide us to wisdom. Why would anyone be content and satisfied with limited knowledge? That makes no sense. What are other religions teaching that make people pull away from the opportunity to share their testimony about Christ when they have two missionaries knock at their door. One experience this week may seem funny to us, but it was an example of at least bearing testimony in their understanding of the word. We were tracking in a neighborhood with little luck when we knocked on a door. This woman answered, found out we were Mormon, and excitedly welcomed us into her living room. We were surprised and curious as what she would say next. She went to the table and took something from her Bible. Oh dear.... then she read to us a Catholic creed or something. Honestly though, it sounded like a testimony, even if it was a rote speech. She was at least willing to welcome us into her home and share with us what she believed. Sadly, she didn't allow us to speak and share our own testimony, but it is progress from others who claim to accept Christ in their hearts then refuse to talk of Him.
So, things are a bit slow here in the English work, but we should have a Deaf Baptism next Sunday that we are really excited about. The Lord is blessing us; and with the new year, there are wonderful and endless possibilities on the horizon. It feels like a great month to work some miracles. They are out there; and if we continue forth, improve ourselves, and act in faith, the Lord will bless our area and we will find those "Elect Saints" ready to hear and accept the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ever onward!
‘Make no small plans: They have no magic to stir man’s souls.’ This is the vision I have for the South. I believe that one day the South will baptize more people into the church than all other English speaking missions in the world together. There are great hosts of marvelous Baptists, and members of the church of Christ, Methodists and Catholics who are honorable people, and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and love him. As they see their church veering off to the right or to the left of these basic teachings, they will begin to search for the truth. And as pivotal teachers come into the church and have influence, we will see the time when we baptize hundreds and thousands, tens of thousands. In your day you will see a million members of the church in the South. There will be Temples plural in the Southern States. What a great call you have to serve with these marvelous people. ~Spencer W Kimball (1974)
