we were able to participate in a funeral this week. our ward mission leader's father passed away. he was a member of the church and the funeral went very well. the music leader called us a couple days before and asked us to sing in the choir. i am so grateful for the chances we are given to serve. sister packard, who is amazing, played the piano for the whole ceremony. after the funeral, the sisters in the ward asked if we could come sing with them at the bedside of a sick father. i am so grateful that we have so many opportunities to serve! i am so grateful for the example of our ward members. they love one another and us so much! i just feel it so much. the day after the funeral, our ward mission leader's wife, who is not a member, came to church! he was beaming and i hope she felt the spirit.
i have really felt the power of listening this week. i have found on my mission that teaching is a lot about listening. it is something that i am still working on but as i have tried to listen to those we are visiting and really tried to listen to the spirit we have seen many miracles. i feel like i miss out on so much by focusing on what I should say next or what scripture i should share. this week as i have listened and tried to turn our lessons over to the Spirit, i have felt real power in our lessons.we visited Chen JM, a less active sister, who is dealing with depression. we were talking to her about the light of Christ and how He can bless us. at the beginning of the lesson, we asked her when she had recently felt God's love for her. she didn't really have any experiences to share with us- she was just feeling really alone and burdened. as we continued talking with her about the love Christ has for her, i felt prompted to share a scripture that sister Packard had included in our lesson plan. as we shared that scripture she was really touched by what it said about Christ being our light in the wilderness and preparing the way (1Nephi 17:13). she just sat there staring at the words and pondering their meaning. i could really see the spirit softening her heart. as we continued to talk, she told us about some blessings that she has noticed and seen recently. sister packard pointed out to her how THOSE ways are how God has shown His love for her. the spirit was so strong and we all felt so loved. i am so grateful that Heavenly Father sends His spirit as we seek and as we ask. I have learned so much in our teaching appointments this week- the blessings that i am receiving are more than what i am giving.
i have been thinking a lot about opening my mouth to share the gospel. i'm still nervous sometimes! i love talking with people but then transitioning to testifying about the restoration is hard. i was really praying about it and we practiced it in the morning. i was praying all day for Heavenly Father to help me know what to say to people. that night, as we were biking to an appointment, i started talking with the woman next to me. i awkwardly started testifying of prophets and praying for her to feel the spirit. the woman was willing to pull over and write down her number! she is christian but she wants to learn more. the next person i contacted was a collage student and she had attended a christian school. she wants to learn more about Christ!! Heavenly Father answers our prayers. as we go to the edge and try to do hard things, He proves the way and the miracles. i love the spirit. with the spirit, we can know what to say. Heavenly Father wants to bless His children and He does it through us. all of us!!
i am so grateful for all your examples. i love you all so much. thank you for your prayers and your love. i feel it and i have really felt support this week. because of your prayers, i have seen so many blessings. i love you.
all my love
sister Newman
No comments:
Post a Comment