Hello hello!
Well thankfully this week has seemed busier than last week. We've continued to have more consistent teaching opportunities and lots of great training and edifying.
Monday night, we had Family Home Evening with Billie and the Burrup's home. The husband was out of town on business, but the family still did it and I think it was perfect setting for Billie. The oldest son, Dylan, taught the lesson on Prayer and it was great to hear Billie contribute so much to it. The hymns sung were "I Am A Child of God" and "When I Am Baptized" and yesterday at church Billie shared with me how much she enjoyed those songs as well. We were able to see her the next night as well do more scripture reading with her. Her faith continues to grow. She had to cancel our appointment Friday, but I'm glad we still got to see her twice and she came to church yesterday and stayed ALL 3 hours!!! Caitlynn, her daughter, is now 18 months so she was old enough to be in Nursery. It was great because I think Billie got so much more out of the lessons. She is also having more opportunities to get to know the other ladies in the ward and every one seems to know her more as well.
Tuesday, we had Leadership Meeting again. We focused a lot on commitments and following up. I think this is just what we needed as we are all striving to commit individuals to baptism for this month. As I've made more of an effort to extend specific commitments and make plans to follow up, I can see a difference in their willingness as well as they're understanding of why we're asking them to do certain things. A part of the meeting that I was not a fan of was the Assistants to the President did a training and had us all take off our name tags and ponder about when we are done with our missions and who we want to have become. I think the concept was great and it helped me to set some goals with these last couple of months I have left. However, having that name tag of my chest made me feel like a big part was missing and I know I will not be looking forward to that when I am officially released as a full-time missionary. I've still got lots of time though!
Thursday night, we had dinner a member's home and we had asked them to have their daughters' ask their boyfriends (who are not members of our church) to join for dinner. Only one of the boyfriends was able to come, but it was a pretty cool experience. This young man had very little knowledge about our religion, really only from what he knew from his girlfriend. He had moved from Alabama when he was 5 and had never even heard of a Mormon before. We got to share with him what we did as missionaries (which was great since he has some friends from school who are preparing for missions) and help him have a little better understanding of what we believed. Although there didn't seem to be a ton of interest from this 16 year old boy, I know we have planted some seeds there. For our message we did the "cups and knives" game of balancing a set of scriptures on knives that are on top of cups. He actually got really into trying to figure out how to do it, and seemed like a very appropriate lesson to teach about the basic principles of praying, reading scriptures, and attending church to have a firm foundation in the gospel. We've had members be more willing to invite their friends over and be more involved. It's exciting!
We got to see Bob again this weekend. We haven't seen him for a few weeks as he's been recovering from his knee surgery so it was good to see him smiling and cheery like he normally is. He's recovering well although is still doing therapy and moving around slow. He shared that he continues to pray and is slowly reading his scriptures still. Although it's been a little discouraging that we haven't been able to see him for so long, there have been a couple tender mercies, in my opinion, that the Lord has not left him without contact. His surgeon happened to be LDS and did an excellent job, as well as his PT is LDS because he mentioned to Bob about his son preparing to leave for his mission. I hope Bob is also recognizing these things and that he has been able to feel of their spirits as he continues to seek for the truth. Bob is such a wonderful man, full of gratitude and endurance. I am so grateful I've been able to teach him while out here.
Again, lots of good things have happened this week. How fun it is to look back on the week and see all that's happened and how much I continue to learn and feel of my Heavenly Father's love. Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes I get shy or nervous, but in the end, I am strengthened and reminded that I am not on my own. These are principles I know I will carry out throughout the rest of my life.
As we continue to live our lives, let us take a step back and see where we're at. Who do you want to become? What are you doing NOW to accomplish these goals? Who are you NOW?
"If you want to BE someone, COME and do it!" (BECOME)
I love you all! Have a great week!
Love,
Sister Wightman
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