Inversion! This is a new concept to me. We have had inversion, or thick fog, for the past week, and boy does that get old. It gives everything a misty cool look, but as the driver, you sure have to drive careful. We keep hoping for some sunshine, but soon enough. I reflect back on the summer when it was 112 degrees and we were looking forward to snow. Not saying I'm ready for the heat again, but some sunshine would be nice ;) We've been singing the hymn, "There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today" a lot lately haha.
Well this was Sister Maness and my first official week of just serving in the Beacon Light ward. It was definitely an adjustment. One day we're super excited, and then we're a little discouraged (having so much more time on our hands to fill), and then we're excited again as we see progress. We have made it a goal just to meet everyone. We're still working on that. Lately, I've been feeling myself a little less motivated than normal and so I turned to a booklet that we had been given about "Adjusting to Missionary Life". In it, it addresses different stresses that we experience on a mission and one of them is about feeling unmotivated. There was a great suggestion that really stood out to me which said to focus on a talent that you have and apply it into your missionary work. SO, since Sister Maness and I both like to sing, we decided that when we would share a spiritual thought, we would sing a hymn instead. It was incredible just that one little change made. As we sing (harmonizing), the Spirit is so much stronger. I know that hymns are a form of scripture and it has been so great to teach in a different way. Friday, we stopped by a family's house that the husband is not active in the church, but the wife is. We sat and visited (and defrosted) for a while and then sang the wife's favorite hymn, "I Stand All Amazed". She shared with us later that after we left, her husband turned to her and said how nice that was. She said she almost fell off her chair because he is not one to share his thoughts, especially on spiritual things. So that was really cool. Our dinner for Sunday night was a cool experience too. The family had forgotten that they had signed up to have us to dinner after inviting their neighbors (attend another church that tend to not support the LDS church). She was afraid of having them feel like this was a set up when it really wasn't, but when she explained the situation and asked if they still wanted to come, they cheerfully agreed that they had no problem with it. We had a great meal and visit with all of them. I got to talk to the husband about classic cars (thank you Dad for raising me on that!) and it was just so comfortable. At the end, Sister Maness and I got up to sing a hymn. We had actually felt prompted to sing "I Need Thee Every Hour" and afterwards, the wife (neighbor) expressed that she hadn't heard that song in a long time and it seemed to really touch her. Before leaving, they told us that we were welcome over to their house anytime if we were ever in the neighborhood and needed anything. Score! I love the ways that we get to meet so many people :)
Saturday we had our first ward open house. This is an opportunity for members of the Church to invite their friends to see our church and learn about how we worship and what we are about. Since throughout the week when there aren't any activities going on the building is locked up, many people who maybe want to know, don't have the opportunity to. Again, this was our first one and we didn't have any one that wasn't from our church come, but we had a pretty good turn out of members. So I think that was good so that now they know what happens there for when they do invite their friends. This is something that will happen every first Saturday of the month, so definitely plenty of more opportunities to invite :)
The work is slowly but surely progressing in this ward. We are still meeting with Mary Jo (actually just met with her this morning), Hudson, and Brenda. We taught Hudson a little bit about the Plan of Salvation last night and it was a good reminder that is different teaching children. Hopefully next time we will be able to relate it a little more to his level of understanding (good practice for when I'm a parent ;)). Brenda and Mary Jo came to church on Sunday and stayed all three hours. As we've visited with Brenda lately, she is actually the one bringing up about baptism. She has had all the lessons, but it's been since about last February since she took them so would definitely need a refresher. Although she has not fully committed, as she worries how this will affect her relationship with her parents, she has such a strong desire and still doing all she needs to do to prepare and be actively involved. I think she prepares for the lessons at church more than most members do! I love her and her family though and have a strong feeling that she will make that commitment this year.
We are having a training tomorrow (all the senior companions) on working with the stake and ward leaders and focusing on how we can all work together more so we can be united in our purpose. I'm looking forward to that because I think that will really help. When we all have the same goal in mind and are able to support one another better, the results are so much better.
This past week I have been studying more on the Christlike attribute of Faith in Jesus Christ. As I've read books and scriptures on this principle, I have seen how simple faith truly can be. Faith is an action word and as we study, are obedient and diligent in our work, we are showing our faith. I love how it talks about faith preceding miracles. The miracles are an effect of our faith, but we must do our part first. There is so much more satisfaction when we know we've put our all into and done our best first and then see the outcome of that. I am reminded that miracles do not have to be a big event, but even just those little tender mercies. Faith truly is the foundation of it all. With a couple of our investigators, they are simply needed to exercise that faith [in Jesus Christ] by taking that step forward to do what they know is right and true and having the faith that everything else will fall into place. Our Heavenly Father knows each of us and our individual situations. He wants ALL of His children to return to Him and so He will provide the way. Even when we wonder if we will always have that support from those around us, I know that Heavenly Father will allow everything to work out if we are doing good.
I love you all and am grateful for the faith that you've had in me! I hope you all have a wonderful week :)
Love,
Sister Wightman
p.s. Just want to give a shout-out to my cousin, Erin, and a big congratulations on her new baby girl, Joelle!!!
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