IT is TIME to be.. 🥺Vulnerable😨😳
Funny quotes will be at the end for those that last that long
Kathy is awesome! We always have a really good discussion with her and this past Sunday was no different. She seems to really be getting a lot out of each verse of the Book of Mormon, and it makes us feel good to see that. She reacted really well to the invitation, and said that even though she already does try to repent on a daily basis, she's going to make a special effort to do so this week as part of a self inventory to make goals for the year.
On Christmas eve we were able to visit one family for dinner and the Pollards were the first to invite us! The lasagna was to die for and the company as well. Their son had recently gotten a job from one of our investigators, and it seems as though they're becoming really good friends. During the lesson, it was very special and we felt every word despite that we didn't go into anything deep, but just shared a modern parable from Gordon B. Hinkley about the sacrifice Jesus made (see link to article below). Not all of children were on the same page about the church, but you could tell that they'd been given some serious food for thought and definitely felt something. Follow the link https://www.
Something I've learned is that it's not only okay, but it is vital to be vulnerable when sharing your testimony and experiences. When one is self-aggrandizing, their message seems fake. When one is willing to admit their faults plainly and share their experiences of how God has helped them to overcome that thing, people are able to see more plainly what is true.
My companion is a perfect example of this. He shared an experience while we were teaching a lesson the other day as follows: At the beginning of his mission he had been having the hardest time of his life because he has pretty harsh anxiety and meeting new people leaves him exhausted, and used to fill him with dread. There was one specific time near the beginning of his mission when he didn't have much energy left and they had just began the evening. He sat in the car for a moment and said a brief prayer, asking for strength and assistance that night. He received it as a warm feeling of peace and ever since then, he has known that God loves him.
I too know that God loves me. I spent a lot of my life searching for spiritual experiences and almost being unable to find them. It seemed to be as elusive as grabbing smoke to get an answer from God about anything. I honestly felt abandoned and for a long time I didn't know if I believed in God. Time passed and I was later inspired by the story of a man who read through the Book of Mormon in a couple days, but took the time to pray after reading each page to ask if it was true. He gained his own testimony of it's truthfulness. I took that to heart and began praying on every page I read. I am someone that has struggled to hear the voice of God in my life and receive answers from Him, and yet... I began to receive spiritual experiences on nearly every page I read. And my prayers were answered in a variety of ways. Not only that, but the promptings and thoughts I received have helped me to become the person I wanted to become. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon, and it is living proof that God loves me... and also you.
Favorite quotes from the past couple weeks:
- "Hydroplaning is the fastest way to gain a testimony."
- "I don't want you to teach me until after the second coming. If you teach me the gospel now and I don't change my life then that's condemnation."
- (After talking over the phone for 5 minutes): "Yeah, thanks guys, but I'm gonna go back to having covid. see ya later."
I hope you all have a great week! Tell me about anything!
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