We've been teaching an investigator named Pablo (played by our teacher) and to give a little background about him, he's from El Salvador originally but grew up mostly in Compton. I can't remember if I talked about this last time. But anyways he's trying to get out of gang activity and make some changes. So far we've talked to him about the restoration, the plan of salvation, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, with a quick intro to the word of wisdom. Each lesson is only 15 minutes so it's hard to fit everything in. But we're learning to simplify things and to bring the spirit in while we teach. Our first lesson went so well. He was really receptive and liked the idea that through Christ he could change. Our second lesson didn't go as well. We gave more of a history lesson than anything but the spirit was there and we got him to pray and come to church. The third lesson we taught went really well. Probably the best one. We committed him to baptism. He wouldn't commit to a date, but I think we're getting there. Then we had another lesson where I just felt unprepared and that was our fault. But the spirit wasn't there as much as before and it was so hard to find the words to say to him. Then our lesson last night went well. It's an up and down process but like I said, I'm being stretched and I love it. I'm for sure learning.
We also had a TRC this week with a progressing investigator. I think that stands for Teaching Resource Center? But anyways it's where you talk with the pretend investigators who volunteer here. Her name was Claudia and we only got to teach two lessons, but we talked about the restoration and why repentance and baptism through proper authority were important. She is Catholic and she is from Madagascar! (Shout-out to Tanner!) But we asked her to be baptized and she was totally on the fence about it. She wanted to learn more before she committed but she said she would love to believe and would be willing to continue taking the lessons to find out more. And she wants to read the Book of Mormon. Oh and Pablo is reading it too. I forgot to mention that.
But NOW I want to talk about the best thing that happened this week. Or at all so far. So after teaching Claudia the second time we came back to the classroom and were kind of discussing it as a companionship when one of the teachers came in and asked the sisters in the room if any of us wanted to teach. Sister Pugh was like "sure!" and then he told us that it was a real investigator. Of course at this point my heart almost fell out of me but before I really even gave it any thought I said "Let's do it!" So he told us that she was waiting right now to have a 20 minute lesson and we didn't really have time to prepare anything. But it reminded me of that scripture in 1 Nephi when Nephi enters the city himself to get the plates. And he says "I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand what I should do" or something like that. I don't know it perfectly. But it was just like that. We had time to grab some pamphlets and say a quick prayer and we were in there. The teacher explained to us as we walked to the room she was in that she was from around here and that her neighbor John referred her to us. She recently went through a divorce and has 4 kids, and she noticed John had a really happy family and respectful kids and asked him why. He told her to ask the missionaries! And he sent her our way. So the Lord really had prepared her big time. We taught her about how the gospel blesses families and that she could rely on the Atonement for help through hard times like her divorce, and about the restoration of the gospel and priesthood authority. She was really receptive and we could tell she was just pondering what she was learning. I know the spirit was helping her to feel like this was right. She would say things like "I've never heard that before" or "that's different" or "that makes sense" and nod her head. When we taught her about the Godhead she was really interested. She said it made sense that if we were created in God's image then God must have a body. And if Christ prayed unto the Father then they must be separate beings. And she really wanted to know by the end how she could go about learning more and being worthy to be baptized. IT. WAS. AMAZING. It just was a testament to me that God prepares His children to receive His gospel. It is so amazing that even though we've been at the MTC a week and didn't even prepare a message to share with her, words flowed freely from our mouths that were certainly not our own. Not that we didn't believe or have a testimony of the things we said, but I just know that I couldn't have spoken like that without the help of the Spirit.
I've definitely had discouraging moments here where I feel inadequate or like I don't have what it takes to be a missionary. But although I know my mission is about inviting OTHERS to come unto Christ and not just about me, I have found that through losing myself in His service, I truly am beginning to find myself. I feel like I'm coming to understand the meaning of that phrase. When I take time to focus on my own relationship with God (which is key to being a good missionary - we learned that "we can't convert beyond our own conversion") I have felt the loving arms of the Savior and I have come to know that I am still important to Him. I'm not a perfect missionary or a perfect teacher, nor will I ever be, but He loves other enough to make up for what I lack so that they can come unto Him. And He loves me enough to show me that He can. I just have a true, deep love for this gospel and I want others to know about it! And I feel so empowered by the spirit that comes when I work hard and give true devotion to His work. I know that with my help HE will be the one to change lives. Sacrifice, preparation, and obedience bring miracles. Love you all!
Thank you everyone for the letters. And thank you family for the packages. The cookies and Dewar's chews were so yummy (and not at all dry). And the robe is awesome! Thank you thank you!!
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