Week 20

Ok so some CRAZY stuff is going down in Hiram this transfer. We got a missed call from President Vellinga on Saturday and then a text from him that said "sisters please call me". The only reason he would be calling personally would be to extend a leadership calling or to talk about stuff that's going on at home that we need to be aware of. If it's about transfers then our district leader tells us. So we were both freaking out. We called him back and he didn't answer and we were on edge the rest of the afternoon. Finally about 3 hours later he called us back while we were driving so we pulled over and talked. He proceeded to call Sister Johnson as a Sister Training Leader (basically a zone leader but for sisters). Then he told me I was staying in Hiram and he was sending two sisters to me to be in a trio. So I have no clue who is coming but the Elders had to bring over an extra bed today so that we would have room for three people in our apartment. I'm not ready for change, especially to this extreme. I'm a little bit nervous-excited. We'll see how it goes. It's a seven week transfer which is extra long so I hope I like 'em ;) Haha. Jk. I totally will. There are only about 30 sisters who serve at the Visitors' Center and I know them all already, so I know I will like whoever comes. It's just going to be an adjustment. But whoever they are they will LOVE Hiram.

 

So this week we had more lessons than we have had in awhile. We worked our tails off, but we had to use so many miles that we are super behind this month. I'm nervous now because I'll be in charge of keeping track of how many we use since the new sisters won't know the area or how far away things are. So that's stressful. But it was a good week. I can see the area growing so much! Keep up the prayers because they're working!

 

Last Tuesday after district meeting we went out to lunch and someone anonymously paid our check! We had no idea who it was so we figured it must have been one of the three Nephites. Then after that we taught Bob, the one we found last week whose daughter just died. He is awesome! We brought Sister Busath with us and found out his daughter Annie took the lessons at her house a few years ago! Miracle! It was a good lesson. We went back yesterday and taught about the Book of Mormon. He said he actually was about to go to the library to check it out because he wants to read it. So it was perfect! Every time we go over there something happens like that. He's a talker though so sometimes it's hard to teach doctrines/principles in an organized way. But we try, and the spirit is always there.

 

We had an appointment with a member of the ward last week and when we knocked she wasn't there. So we were about to go call her when her little girl came running across the street. She said, "come over here!" so we followed her to their neighbor's house and had an unplanned lesson with her! It was so cool! We just shared the lesson we had planned for their family. It was a Christmas lesson where we just watched the little Nativity film and talked about Christ. The neighbor wasn't all too keen on our religion at first, but she opened up a little more toward the end and especially as her friend (the member) shared her testimony of the Book of Mormon. It was amazing! But she's got lots of issues to work through and doesn't want us coming back. Seed planted :) She is a recovering alcoholic and looked like she was either on some drugs or having some serious withdrawals. She was stressing me out. But I'm so glad we got to teach her. I hope something comes of it in the future.

 

So those are the main highlights of the week! Not a ton of things but I can assure you we see miracles every single day. We have a super busy day today since Sister Johnson is packing, and we're getting the apartment ready for TWO other sisters. Then we also have to do all the regular pday stuff - groceries, cleaning, washing the car, etc. So lots to do!

 

But before I go I just wanted to share a little something I studied this week. It was from an Ensign article in March 2008. If you haven't read it it's an amazing issue. The whole thing is dedicated to the Savior and all things pertaining to Him. But the article I am referring to was by Elder D. Todd Christofferson called "Becoming a Witness of Christ". He talks about the many ways we can become a witness of Christ and one of them is by living our lives in a way that reflects His teachings. But a certain part stuck out to me because I tend to pick at my weaknesses and feel inadequate. I think it happens to everyone. But he shared a quote from President Ezra Taft Benson that was really comforting. He says:

“Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. …

“… For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said ‘were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not’ (3 Ne. 9:20; italics added)."

Just remember...we're doing better than we think we are!! Sometimes it seems like we aren't progressing because it's a slow process. But that's okay! We aren't going to become like Christ in a day. It definitely takes time. But the rate at which we progress is not the important part. The fact that we are progressing at all is what is important. And I know that He sees it and He is proud of us when we make even the smallest changes for the better.

I love you guys sooooo much and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Love

Tayler