The other blessing of my fast came in the form of Oscar, Lupe, and Raugelio. We were on our way out of our apartment to go teach a referral and Oscar s out walking his dog. We stopped to talk to him and shared with him that God is our loving heavenly Father, that He wants us to pray to Him, that he has always given us prophets to guide us, and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. He said he would read the introduction and that we could come back to talk to him on Saturday. On Saturday we went back and shared with him the message of the restoration--that God has restored his power and authority and the fulness of the Gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. Afterward, we asked him what he thought, and he said that a year ago he would have ha no interest, but in that time his mom had passed away, he had been homeless, he had been angry at God, and had begun to see the ways that God speaks to Him. He said that normally when someone comes to talk to him about God he slams the door, but he had felt that we had something special, and he told us that when we had shared with him Joseph Smith's experience he had heard a voice that said to him, "Listen."
After talking with Oscar we found Lupe and Raugelio. They asked what missionaries were and what we did and how we payed for it and where our families were. They were full of questions. And so we told them that we were from different parts of the US, where our families still are, that we worked before our mission to pay for it, and that we considered it a priviledge to leave our families for eighteen months so that others could be with theirs for eternity. Lupe lit up at the truth that families can be together forever and is eager for us to return and teach her.
We have also been working for acouple weeks now with Yasmin and her children:Carolina, Ricardo, and Teresa. Yasmin hadn't been to church in a long time. Her husband is in jail, her mother is in the hospital with cancer and other issues, and Carolina was severely injured a couple months ago and just had her last surgery. Carolina now wants to be baptized as soon as she is healed enough from her surgery, Yasmin attends church regurlarly, and Teresa and Ricardo have just begun attending as well. There is literally a new light in their countenances and you can feel the change in their home. There is so much more peace and joy. it is beautiful to see what the light and knowledge of the gospel can do for individuals and families.
Sam and Sophia are getting baptized this Saturday and they are so excited for it and excited to bring their friend, Marcos. i love their faith and humility. last week we taught them about tithing by using chocolate chips. We taught them that tithing is the opportunity to give back to the Lord and show our grattitude to him, and that all he asks is ten percent. We gave Sam ten chocolate chips and told him that one would be given back to the Lord. "Just one?" he asked. "That's it! He doesn't get very much . . ." Then when we told him what tithing is used for: to build temples and help others, he exclaimed, "I want to give Him all of it so He can build the temple!" It is no wonder Christ said that we must become as a little child to inherit the kingdom of God :)
Well, my novel is about finished. Sorry it's so long. This week has been incredible (and I get to use a computer instead of my ipad so it's a lot easier to type :)
This week I am getting a new companion. My companion hermana beatty will be in a nearby area, still in our zone, so I'll still see her :) I'm excited to meet my new companion tomorrow.
Love Hermana Anderson
#AllforHim
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