"Who the Lord calls, the Lord will qualify."
- Thomas S. Monson
This week I have learned that as a missionary, we always have to be ready.
Story time: It was our P-day and we had a member driving us around because of the confusion regarding miles. So we were at Wal-mart buying our groceries and Sis. Erikson (the lady who was giving us a ride) wanted to pick up a drink at the McDonalds. We were waiting in line with her when a man came walking up to us with a purpose:
Guy: "Are you all from that Mormon Church?"
Me: "Yes, we're the missionaries" (my thoughts: we got ourselves a golden investigator)
Guy: "What is this I hear that the blacks can't hold the priesthood?"
Me: "They most definitely can and do hold the priesthood"
Guy: "I heard that they can now, but there was a time period where they weren't allowed to... why is that?!"
Me: (not so golden)
Sis. Hyer: "Well in 1979... etc."
Guy: "You are the first missionaries that have been able to answer that question. My name is Bro. Williamson from the Big Walnut Creek Ward”.
I thought that it was so interesting that he was a member and was just seeing how we would react. It really brought to my attention that as we bear the Lord's name on our chest, people are always watching us, and we need to be ready at any moment in time.
This week was another slow but great week! We did a lot of tracting, and we found some pretty promising investigators. A lot of our appointments fell through this past week due to the holiday, but they are willing to meet with us this week. Which, come to find out, here in Ohio the mayor decides which day Halloween is on. It’s called Beggars’ Night, not Halloween or Trick-or-treating. I thought that was a little odd.
We had zone conference this last Wednesday, and they talked a lot about getting the members involved and also how fear and faith do not go together, neither does courage and doubt. This conference was exactly what I needed to hear. I know there are times when you go to the door, you see that they are Catholic or Muslim, and you automatically assume that they won't listen to what you have to say. "If you think they are going to reject you, they will. If you think that they will accept you, they will." I know that with that mindset, more people are willing to listen. We found three potentials in one hour because we knew that we were going to find people who were ready and willing to learn more. I am so excited to start teaching these people!
We had two awesome lessons this week: one with Emerald and one with Karlene. Emerald is progressing, and she is practically ready for baptism; she just needs to make the leap of faith. We visited her with the Relief Society President, and we moved the date to November 16th. We feel that she will be ready for that, but we are having her pray about it. We are checking in with even more than before. I know that this is all in the Lord's timing, so we are keeping her in every thought and prayer.
We also taught Karlene, and we extended a baptism challenge to her. She said that that is her goal, and she is searching for further light and knowledge. We were so excited to hear that! The only set back we have with her is that she hasn't told her husband that she has been meeting with us. She said that she wants to learn everything without any opposition and then let people know what she is doing. We told her that we think that it would be better for her to tell her family because this gospel is for families and to help families grow together. She said that she would think about it and let us know next time we meet.
At church yesterday, Emerald did not show up... She told us that it would be hard for her to make it, but that she would try... Sadly, we missed her. We had a surprise investigator show up, Jennifer Young. We texted her yesterday morning and invited her to come to church. We figured that she wouldn't come because we texted her the day of and this was her weekend with her daughters. To our surprise, she showed up, and her daughters went to their Father's this weekend. She came and LOVED it! She told us that she wants us to come back and visit her and talk to her some more about the church. We were so excited for her!!! :)
All-in-all this week was a tough week. Tracting all day and having appointments cancel on you is not ideal, but you learn so much both from those you talk to and about yourself. I know that I have become closer to my Savior as I have turned to Him for help and guidance. I know that He lives. I know that He loves us. And I know that this church is the one and only true church on the Earth today. The priesthood has been restored, and the power of the priesthood is incredible. I love it! I love this gospel, I love my job, and I love all you. All the support and love helps tremendously! I love you!
-- Sister Gale
For those of you wanting to write Sister Gale, her address is:
Sister Erin Gale
5191 Cambria Way
Westerville, Ohio 43081
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