Dear All,
We had a packed Tuesday and Wednesday, which was awesome! On Tuesday we had a church tour with one of the less active families we are working with. One of their struggles is attending church. We went around and highlighted the Sacrament, baptism and especially how church helps us draw closer to Christ. What added to our joy was that on Sunday half the family came to church- that is twice the amount that came before!
We had another church tour with another family on Friday. The fellow shipper that came was the Primary teacher of the 9 years old daughter. This sister was an amazing help to our tour! She gave her own thoughts and testimony, simple and sweet, and at the end volunteered to pick the 9 year old for church, along with the 11 year old brother, when the parents can't make it due to work! There is definitely a sweet, special feeling from a church tour. I am glad it is part of our lessons to teach!
Also on Tuesday we had the first lesson with an interested investigator. Her name is Ellen Patten, she is from Sweden and has had so many neat, special experiences with God already that she has no doubt in her mind that he exists and that he loves her. She is married to a less active brother and they both have been attending church for quite a while. It was finally the right time to start to teach both of them. Ellen has many good, and some complex, questions but the amazing thing about the teachings of Christ is that through the Spirit we can receive the answers and peace to any question we need if we sincerely ask God. We are going to challenge Brother Patten to work on his worthiness so that he can baptize his wife. They are both so ready to come closer to Christ it is amazing! Reminds me of Alma 13:24 "For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory." We were pleased to see them at church yesterday and the glow that has sparked in their eyes. All because of Jesus Christ.
Last appointment on Tuesday was with a former investigator that contacted us again and desired to pick up the discussions. The break from the lessons has helped him to see how much he wants to continue to feel the Spirit that he has at the lessons. He told us how much he wants to go to church and how he knows that he can over come his weaknesses through Christ's Atonement but that doing it was the hard part. I know he can do it because I have done it with Christ's help for my own weaknesses.
On Wednesday we had our regular two appointments with less actives but in addition we were able to get up with a less active Sister and share the Because of Him video. She expressed the desire to go to church and we encouraged her to do so. It will greatly strengthen her family. We planned to have an activity with this family so we can see in what other ways we can help them.
The last appointment on Wednesday was the first lesson with a less active couple. The brother has been challenged by the Bishop (leader of a congregation) to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. We called and asked to set up an appointment with them so that we can help the whole family. We encouraged them to read the Book of Mormon as a family. After the appointment we found out that their greatest struggle is attending church. Next appointment is going to be a church tour to help them feel the Spirit and feel more comfortable.
It is amazing how often there is a reoccurring theme in the needs of those around us. This week has built our testimonies of the importance of church attendance and how church tours help families. We are going to have a Stake wide church tour on Friday and we have invited all to come. It should be great! We hope to start with doing this tour every other week.
God is good,
Sister Sarah Meldrom
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