“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”
Paulo Coelho
 |
| Sis. Gale's zone on Fun Day |
Yesterday was 17 degrees outside... Today is 19 degrees outside... I’m from Arizona... Not a great mix... But I will say that the moments that the Spirit is at its high, I feel warm and fuzzy and no longer cold. So, I strive to have the Spirit testify through me and to me more often! It’s a great goal! The spirit = warmth for the Arizona girl! :)
This is the first solid week of no tracting, and it went great!!! We have had so many appointments and have been teaching so many people. There are so many potentials that we have gotten in contact with that are ready to learn and to grow in the gospel. We taught a total of 10 lessons this week (was just a little shy of our goal), but it still made for a busy week. We had exchanges this last Tuesday, and we went up to Mt. Vernon (Amish country). We visited a ton of less-actives and didn’t get to really teach anybody, but we had a successful day talking to all the less-actives. Some of them even committed to coming to church. I got to meet a couple of the members over there, and I love them all! I wouldn’t mind being transferred there.
 |
| Sis. Erikson and I... she fed us breakfast for dinner last night :) |
Speaking of transfers, we are all waiting for our calls today... Transfers are tomorrow, and we have no idea what is going to be happening here in New Albany. Sister Hyer has never stayed in an area longer than 12 weeks, and she has already been here for 12 weeks. Elder Peterson and I came in at the same time (which was 12 weeks ago), and then his companion has never stayed in an area longer than 6 weeks. So we all have a pretty good chance of leaving. A lot of people have been asking us what we think is going to happen, and we have no clue.
(Side note from Mama Gale: Sister Gale found out that she is NOT being transferred and will stay in the same area as the new Senior companion.)
 |
| Sis. Chadwick and I... we helped decorate her Christmas tree for service |
I want to share the most exciting news we had this week! We came back from Mt. Vernon on Wednesday and went straight to our appointment with Theresa James. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and extended baptism for the 28th of December. She said yes!!!! Oh my gosh, Theresa is getting baptized!!! She is an amazing woman with a lot of potential! She comes to church every Sunday and is reading the Book of Mormon every day! She is already half way through the book! It is awesome when she calls us to tell us all the things that she has learned! Her favorite prophet changes every day. What is even more exciting is that she called us one day and was super excited. We asked what was going on, and she said that her son, who is a recently reactivated member, has been talking to her and is so excited for her baptism. His boss (who is LDS) bought him a round trip ticket so that he could fly up here for Christmas and her baptism and will be baptizing her! She hasn’t seen him in 5 years due to money issues, but it was great to hear her excitement! He has already bought her her own quad (scriptures) and has her name engraved in it and everything. It’s been a great week!
We also have been working with Jayne Chadwick, who is a less-active member. She came to church last week, and when we met with her this week, the Spirit was so strong that she asked us, "What do I need to start doing to get temple ready?" My heart leapt for joy!!! A less-active is now willing to come to church and make changes in her life to come closer to the Savior and go to the temple. It has been a long time since she has been to church, so we are going to be re-teaching the lessons, but she is on her way to becoming temple worthy! I am soooo excited for her!
Now don’t get me wrong... this week has had its challenges, but I am loving the work! I can’t explain the joy that I find in the members and the investigators that are willing and able to make changes in their life to come closer to the Savior. It is a testimony builder to me, and makes me want to be a better person. I love this work, and I love the Book of Mormon. I know that whoever reads it WILL gain a testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel. I have already finished it once on the mission and will be finishing it for my second time by December, and I hope to keep going. I can’t believe all the truth that it holds. Our Savior lives. He loves us and would do anything for us. Hold to the faith and help others find the peace and happiness that we all have!! :)
I love my job, and I love you all!!!
Love,
Sister Gale
No comments:
Post a Comment