"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

This was definitely a week of miracles. How grateful I am for Heavenly Father's constant role in our lives and how He truly guides this work.

I felt like this was one of those make it or break it weeks. As a companionship we had to do some reflecting about the people we're teaching and their progression. We've been teaching them for so long and me, being the loyal person that I am just want to keep loving them and teaching them and spending time with them no matter how long it takes for them to get baptized and then Sister Madsen brought up how sometimes we're just planting seeds and how other missionaries can pick them up in the future. Ahh...it's a struggle because all of these people just have so much potential! But here's how it all went down...

Tuesday night we had our last appointment with Mike. Actually Robert invited the Elders over and they brought another member so it was quite the party. And the lesson went AWESOME! Actually, it made me feel really inadequate. but it was all good because it made me realize how we all have individual strengths and how we need to each use them to help share the gospel. And some of the things that Bro. Rich said just really clicked with Mike. He was like, "It all makes sense now!" Perfect! So we'll just put that little scene on pause and pick it back up in a month or so ;)

Next was Joe. We were talking to him on the phone on Tuesday and after we got done with our lesson he said how grateful he was that he was sitting on his porch that summer afternoon and that we stopped to talk to him. He said how much we've influenced his life and how he really has seen a change and that this gospel couldn't be wrong because the sisters that he's met are just so Christlike. tears running down my face. Seriously, it was the sweetest thing I've probably heard my whole mission and was the evidence that the atonement is real and that people do change. I am so So SO grateful to be a part of this marvelous work and to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.

Well we went to go see him on Wednesday and the man bought $80 worth of cigarettes. Are ya kidding me? You're supposed to be getting baptized next week! Plus, you need that money for like food so you don't die. HELP! I pretty much had a heart attack. Well, he said that he would stop after all those ones were gone. I asked him if we could throw them away or if he had the receipt and we could just return them haha! but nope. Then I said, "Maybe we should pray about it." So we said a little prayer even though he didn't really want to because he already knew what Heavenly Father was going to tell him to do and he wasn't ready to do it yet hahaha! oh boy.

But we've pretty much had daily contact with him and he's been improving SO much! He's slowly, but surely quitting and he's just been reading his little heart out and he's committed to keeping all the commandments and when he came to church yesterday he was just so happy! And he bore his testimony about how everyone was telling him not to come, not to learn about the mormons but how he knew that it had to be true because of all the teachings and the people that he's met. And that he was so glad that he didn't listen to any of them. What a strong guy. The Elders were like, "so Joe is uh...pretty solid." Yes he is! And he's come such a long way. So this week we will be doing lots more preparing and the baptism will be on Saturday. Sooo exciting! :)

Also, one of the most spiritual experiences we had this week was with Celsa. She all of a sudden because super busy and could never come to church and we just didn't know what the deal was because her family was so ready to get baptized! Well...almost. Anyways, we finally went over this week and she was the only one home. I didn't really know how to bring up the whole thing but we started with some small talk and then eventually the whole religion thing came up.
Ok side note.That probably sounds ridiculous given the fact that we're m.i.s.s.i.o.n.a.r.i.e.s. But sometimes it's easier said than done to bring up religion. 

So basically it turned out to be the greatest blessing that she was there by herself because she was able to really open up. We were basically going to go in there and tell her how we would have to drop them if they didn't keep their commitments. Little did we know, but her mom had brought in the big guns. Not only did she move in with them, she also invited the prayer group from the catholic church to come over once a week. Apparently we're leading them astray...false. So Celsa wants to keep learning but she wants to do it as a family and she wants her husband to learn more because he wants to, not just because she's asking him to and then all these other things about both of their parents and school for Bella and finding time and so many obstacles in the way of them trying to do the right thing. I just felt awful the whole time! Not only because I have never experienced that but because I wish that Satan didn't work so hard to make life difficult for people. Hermana Madsen and I were able to bear our testimonies though and talk about how we could really help her along the way and how ultimately Heavenly Father will bless her as she has this desire to do the right thing. We were all crying because it's such a hard situation! And it could take years for them to do this! Oh, and she brought up how she had been thinking a lot about how I tried to give them a baptismal date in November...awkward haha! That didn't go over well but obviously it made an impact and I think she knows it's true and that it should've been something that they could have been working towards. And that's where we just trust in the Lord's timing. And where we shouldn't give up on people because she never know what's going to happen. The spirit was definitely present and it pulled us back. How grateful I am for its guidance!

There are many many more things I could say but time is short. To close, I just want to say that I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He LIVES! I am so grateful for his atoning sacrifice and I know that it is the only way by which we can return to live with our Father in Heaven. I am grateful for the opportunity that we have to change and to become more like Him. I know that he appeared to the Nephites here in America and that the Book of Mormon is true. There really is a power in that book and I know that the spirit testifies of its truth. I am learning so much by serving a mission and know with all my heart that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

Have a fabulous week! :)

con amor,
Hermana Blackner