August 4th, 2014

Dear All,

We met with Kevin nearly everyday this week to 'teach him' but we were
mainly just reminding him. He amazes us every lesson. Yesterday's
lesson, Sunday, we were making plans for his baptism and he broke into
silent tears and hid his face. We remained quiet until he spoke and
told us he had been to his mother house that day and she neither his
sisters are coming to the baptism. He amazes us because he presses
forward regardless of the lack of support he gets from his family. We
know this can only be attributed to his faith and hope in Jesus
Christ. He knows this is where God wants him to go and he will not be
moved. He is built upon the Rock, who is Christ.(Helaman 5:12)

We had two saddening spots in the week. One of our investigators met
with us, finally after weeks of not meeting with us, and told us she had
read the whole Book of Mormon and what she thought of it. We listened
as she continued to tell us what our religion does wrong. She was not
unkind about anything she said. It would have been completely sad if
she hadn't opened up to us so much about her concerns and desires,
something she hasn't done much. We listen and made occasional
questions or comments of understanding and at the conclusion we bore
our testimonies of the love of God and our love for her. We promised
we would still visit her occasionally if she would like. She agreed
and decided she would tells us when she is ready to learn more again.
Second, a less active family that has been doing well since
missionaries first met with them told us they were done with the
lessons, again after weeks of not meeting with us. We are sad but they
have gone as far as they are willing right now. We hope someday they
will be able to find the answers they search for and understand what a
testimony of the scriptures and attending church can do for them.

We are starting to get the church tour fireside set up in the Lindon
stake. This week we had a run through with the Wards Mission Leaders,
the High Counselor over Missionary Work and the Senior Missionary
couple. Also who joined us was Kevin,  his girlfriend Kinzie and our
other investigator Elisabeth. After we ended and quietly filtered from
the sacrament room to the hall many people shook hands with us and
told us how they love the church tour firesides! The Spirit is so
strong  they told us and one Ward Mission Leader told us that though
nothing we said was new to him the Spirit built his testimony that
Jesus Christ is his Savior and that he loves him. Our investigators
felt the same way. I think it particularly touched Elisabeth who
seemed to be more at ease and at peace as she spoke to us afterwards.
We gave her hugs and told her we would Skype teach her while she is in
Ohio for the month visiting her family. She liked that idea. She is
awesome!

On Friday morning we set up a giant maze of chairs in preparation for
a lesson we had that evening. The appointment canceled a couple hours
before and we were left with a elaborate maze and no one to go through
it. :( We thought of two families that had kids that could go through
so we ran over to their homes. The first family wasn't home, but the
second one was, at least some of them. This family actually was having
a horrible day because of legal griefs the mothers ex- husband was
giving them. We invited all of them to come but the mother was to sick
at heart to do anything. She did however beg her 14 year old daughter
to go with her friend who was there. She consented reluctantly and we
walked to the chapel. Both girls seemed to enjoy leading each other
through the maze verbally as the other was blind folded. We likened
this activity to how God guides us throughout the mazes of life and He
does that through his 'still small voice'. We encouraged them to ask
God for guidance and comfort and we promised they would receive it. As
we walked back both of them seemed less weighed down then before. It
caused me to ponder that this is a difficult journey we have here on
earth but I know God is aware of our struggle, heart ache, failures
and trials. I know he loves us, that all unfair will be made right
through him and we can rely on his strength when ours is gone. I know
this was the strength that these girls felt. I have felt it too.

On Sunday our dinner canceled so we sat in church wondering whom of
the many people we should call on our ' in case dinner cancels' list
when a brother came up and told us he would love to have us eat
anytime with his family. We sheepishly asked if that evening was okay
and he exclaimed, Perfect! This was a small miracle but great in our
eyes. To us it was a tender mercy and a show of God's love for us by
taking care of our needs. He did likewise with missionaries many
hundred of years ago:
"37 And after that they did separate themselves one from another,
taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they
should drink, or what they should put on.
38 And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither
should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they
should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in
the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and
this because he prayed in faith."
Alma 31:37-38

I know God loves me, this is what sustains me though the hardest days.
He is good to me. Others deserve to know this too. Share you testimony
of Jesus Christ, sharing lifts our burdens and others,

Sister Sarah  Meldrom