What an amazing week of finding, being on bikes in the heat, on
our feet, knocking for hours that led Sister Edwards and me to talk about what
we would do if one of us passed out haha just kidding it wasn't that hot. Okay
actually it was but it was wonderful to be on the streets of Miami inviting
others to come unto Christ. But really we biked into our area first thing of
the day to knock and got to the first door, I put my hands on my hips and
realized I had sweat all the way down to my hips. Shoulders to hips drenched.
Don't ask about my hair.
Since we just baptized our two solid investigators last week, we
had the inevitable finding spree. In the weeks leading up to their baptisms, we
tried our best to replenish our teaching pool early so we would not be in a
drought, but we are only working with one investigator right now.
Our current investigator referred himself to mormon.org
about 2 weeks ago now, came to our missionary/investigator/RC activity at
church, loved it. We went back and taught him with a member in his home that
week. Came to the baptism on Sunday, then left for work. Hard to get a return
appt with him so we dropped him. When you work with the elect, they basically
schedule the next appt, so that was not a good sign. THEN last Friday, I guess
he missed us because he RE-referred himself to mormon.org. We called, texted, went to his
house, nothing. Sunday morning we "rounded him up" and he said he
would not be able to come to church but had a "lot of questions"...
curious or elect? Wasn’t sure if he was truly interested. We testified of
church and left. I had the most distinct feeling in that lesson that things
would work out with him. It was so easy to love him, listen to him, and speak in
Spanish to him... the spirit was there. So we are driving away and I am
drilling "ONLY WORK WITH THE ELECT OF THE ELECT" into Sister Edwards'
head and she asked why we were working with him because she did not feel he was
elect, etc. etc. I got a little frustrated because Sister Trebotich taught me
well how to keep the standard high…..Anyway, I was bothered in my heart and was
praying silently in my heart to know if it was my will to visit him or the
Lord's. I was bummed walking into church with no one there (no investigators...
because we had knocked for hours and prayed and slaved over our map and made it
the most spiritual finding in the streets and finding of the finding spots)
anyway, but had a peace in my heart the whole sacrament meeting knowing that
God would provide. I did not believe, I knew. I just knew it because we had
truly given it our all.....
+MIRACLE of the week.... sacrament meeting ends and miracle investigator
at sacrament is behind us. Find out he is for the elders. That's okay because
RIGHT NEXT TO HIM IS OUR INVESTIGATOR! I could hardly believe my eyes. He loved
sacrament meeting and wants us to come teach his family tomorrow. I have the
strongest feeling that he will be baptized this transfer.
Also, another beautiful miracle: one of our OYM miracles belongs
to the elders but this cute Cuban couple is getting baptized!! Everyone thinks
that we are teaching them because they always point to us when telling people
why they’re at church and when they bear their testimony, but I do not think
they understand they belong to the elders haha. Heck when the elders got
whitewashed in here they did not even know they were theirs!
+3 family members and their mom: remember them? We received them
as a member referral the same week we accidentally knocked into them, the
father had been asking for sisters, not elders, then our boundaries got changed
and there we were. Anyway, the father is the most elect of them all, but still
needs time. Or so we thought, but then his member sister from Flagler came up
to us yesterday and asked how we got him to church that one Sunday because he
had not been since their 23 year old daughter was baptized when she was 8. And
apparently he wants to come back to church and he uses this prayer guide card
we gave him to bless the food now. Looks like we are going to keep working with
him!
Alma 7:11-12 two of my favorites
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and
afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be
fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his
people.
12 And he will
take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his
people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be
filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the
flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
This struck me this week as I listened to a General Conference
talk that explained that Christ could have known how to succor us based on
revelation. However, he chose to suffer to understand how to extend mercy to
us. I know that our Savior loves us so much, that it was not hard for Him to
make that decision, but I know that the atonement is the single most selfless,
merciful, beautiful gift that could ever be given.
Sister Edwards is doing well. For the main part of her training,
we have been talking about how her mission has been just incredibly enjoyable.
I know that this finding phase is trying her, but together we are studying
about the balance between faith and works and are learning much. We are helping
each other to press forward and not get discouraged. There is no time for that!
We love being your missionaries, on the Lord's errand. There is
nothing better.
Thank you for your support and dad for the package! The last
package!! NUTS. It did not disappoint, the KIND granola is so delicious.
Con amor,
Hermana
McCormick
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