Hello!
I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day and got to relax a bit? That is actually the reason this blog is getting out a few days late since all the libraries were closed and then I had a leadership meeting that took up most of yesterday.
Monday, Sister Chen and I got to spend a good chunk of the day with a couple of families in one of our wards and we biked what is called the "Green Belt" - a path that takes you through Boise. It was a perfect day, a little overcast so we weren't dying in the heat, but enjoyable. It was great to bike around and see more of Boise, as we usually just spend our p-days with the other missionaries playing volleyball or ultimate frisbree. We biked through BSU and got to see the blue turf from a distance and had lunch at the Boise Fry Company (famous for their variety of fries - didn't know there were so many!). Sister Chen and I shared some Okinawa fries, which were not only awesome because they tasted good, but also because they were purple ;)
Later Monday night, we were able to have a great experience as we felt prompted to visit one of our progressing investigators, Brittany. We didn't see her at church on Sunday and so we decided to visit, to find out that she has not been doing well, health-wise and was even in the ER the night before! We were able to share some spiritual messages with her and her family and were able to quickly get some brethren over to give her a priesthood blessing. This was a very spiritual experience as this was her first blessing and to even see her fiance so touched by the Spirit. He is less-active and is coming back, and I think hopes to be one day worthy to be able to provide for his family to give these blessings when needed. Later as we left, we received a text from Brittany expressing her gratitude for being there for her and it was just so comforting to us to know that we had been prompted and acted and allowed to work through Heavenly Father's hands.
We have not had as much success lately as far as finding new people to teach, but we had a pretty neat experience last Friday as we went to meet the new neighbors in our culdasac (sp?). We brought over some spiced zucchini bread (provided from our host mom) and welcomed her into the neighborhood. She was so happy to meet us and informed us that if we had come a week ago when they first moved in, we wouldn't really have had much time to talk because she was ordering moving men around. But we were able to really enjoy a nice conversation getting to know each other. They are in the perfect neighborhood as there are a couple husbands who work for HP, as does her husband, and they love sailing (from Oregon) and across the street are some boating fanatics ;) We were able to explain where we are from and why we are here and she shared that she had some LDS friends back at home. We then asked her if she had found a church yet and she said that they were looking but had not had time to really look yet and were open. We invited her to come to our church and she appreciated the invitation. We never know what will come of these invitations, but nothing will happen if we don't open our mouths! Later that evening, we went to contact a family who's husband had been receiving the discussions a while ago, but for some reason had stopped. As we met up with the wife, she shared with us concerns of her husbands and we were able to soften her heart and well as help her to see that there is still a chance that her husband might accept the gospel, as long as we rely on Him and His timing. Our purpose is not to teach lessons, but to teach people and to invite them to come unto Christ. If they are ready, it will feel natural and comfortable to them.
This week, I was reading in the new Ensign that just came out and fell in love with an article on Grace. I never had really been able to grasp what grace meant before, but this article made it so clear. Our Savior sacrificed His life to pay for our debt of sin. It has been already payed for! But we must continue to come unto Him to receive the blessings of His sacrifice. Grace was related to a mother paying for her son's piano lessons. He does not need to pay her back financially, but through his practice and effort, he is showing appreciation and love for her grace. Her sacrifice was to uplift his life and his practice allows him to achieve that and show gratitude. Heavenly Father knows we are not perfect, that is why He sent His son to sacrifice for us. But every day we must PRACTICE and try to better ourselves. The options are not Carnagy Hall or quit, but to practice and become perfected. We will all stand before our Heavenly Father one day and be judged for our works and desires and I want to make sure that as I do so, I will feel COMFORTABLE in His presence. To know I practiced and tried my best every day and that I took advantage of the Atonement to repent and be forgiven of my mistakes and to one day be perfected in Christ. How grateful I am for my Savior's love and sacrifice. How grateful I am for my every day training from the ancient and modern day scriptures. I know my Heavenly Father loves ME and continues to provide ways to show us that there's always a way, there's always another chance. He is the way and His gospel is our chance! Learn of Him and follow Him and you will be happy. I PROMISE you that. There is no greater joy than knowing who you are and knowing where you're going. It's never too late. If you don't know who you are or who Heavenly Father is, pray in faith to know these things for yourself. Ask specific question and He will give you specific answers.
I love you all and feel your prayers. Thank you for that.
Love,
Sister Wightman
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