I couldn't think of anything to say to start this email so I'm
leaving it blank. :) It's a bit strange to be writing again (otra vez)
after such a short amount of time...
This week in general has been kind of crazy. One of our
Hermanas has had some pretty big health issues recently and they
haven't really been able to work their area because of that. To help
them out we've been doing a lot of work with them so that their area
doesn't just fall apart.
Monday
was a weird day because we worked like a normal day instead of taking
preparation day. We took the bikes out for the first part of the
afternoon, and I was reminded once again how much I LOVE doing
missionary work on bikes. It's true that it takes longer to get places,
but you get to talk to so many more people, and it just feels so good!
Tuesday
we had district meting, which was wonderful as usual; our district this
transfer is AMAZING, and Elder Robison is a great District Leader.
Later that day we met with H and taught him about repentance.
He's worried that he won't ever be worthy of baptism because of his
drinking problem, but after the lesson he seemed so much happier, and
seemed to have so much more hope for the future. I love that repentance
can do that for us.
Wednesday
we had an appointment in the morning with a potential named T and
to our great surprise both she and her novio were there and we were able
to teach them both. :) It was truly a miracle for us because that was
the only work we got to do in our area that day. After lunch and studies
we headed over to the other Hnas area to do a split with them so that
they could get some work done in their area. I stayed home with our poor
sick Hna and Hna Barnes went out with her companion to work for the
day. It was a good day, and it felt good to be able to help them out.
Thursday
we emailed :) helped the elders with a little service project (by
bringing our investigator so that they could have a man with them so
they could go in the house), taught E the Word of Wisdom and the Law
of Chastity, and started weekly planning.
Friday
we did a full exchange with our sick Hna's and it was so cool. Hna
Barnes and I had two appointments in the morning before that went really
well. We had to stop teaching A, but he promised to keep reading,
and I really think that this is what will be best for his eternal
progression in the long run. We also taught a woman named M who has
been investigating forever, but never progresses. She has a son on a
mission though so we keep trying with her. The exchange also went well,
and I was able to go to one cita with our sick Hna! She's improving in
her health little by little. :)
Saturday
we finished our exchange, but before we did our sick Hna and I went to
an appointment that fell through, and instead we were able to find a
family! We taught the mom and the daughter, and set a return appointment
for the next day. That appointment did fall through, but we still think
we'll be able to work with most of the family.
Sunday
we had church and it was good. H came!!! We were so excited. The
members were really helpful throughout the meetings. Hno C sat with
us during sacrament, Hno S sat with him in Elders Quorum, and Hno
M gave him a blessing after church to help him quit drinking. He
is doing so well, and really progressing and changing his life. I feel
so blessed to be able to see that as it happens.
I want to end this email with an insight that I had
last night but it's going to make it really long... If you want to end
here then just know that I love you all, and I know that Jesus Christ is
my Savior and your Savior and that He loves each of us more than we can
imagine.
We truly have been blessed as we've been doing the work
of the Lord, and we've been having what feels like a lot more success
lately. Last night our district leader asked us to "share the magic"
with him and tell him what we've been doing to be able to find so much,
and teach so much. As we thought about it we couldn't think of any one
thing that we would attribute it to or anything specific that we've
changed as we've seen more success. As I continued to think I was
reminded of a scripture in Alma 36. It is clear that Ammon and his
brethren had already been working a lot among the Lamanites before they
began to feel discouraged which means they hadn't had any success at
first. Alma explains: 27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them (I promise we don't try to teach in other peoples churches); and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks ; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again. (We haven't been spit on, smote, stoned, bound or cast into prison.)
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many;
I still wouldn't consider our fruits many because we're still working towards baptisms, but we have seen so much more success. I truly have recognized that success is a gift from the Lord and is not dependent on how hard we work or how good of missionaries we are. We can definitely influence our success and the Lord expects us to work hard and try to improve ourselves, so that He can bless us, but for the most part success comes in the Lords time and according to His will. If we're not seeing it then we simply have to wait on the Lord. In the meantime we can continue to make ourselves more and more effective instruments in His hands.
Love,
Hna Marin Hardy
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