Thursday:
Today started at 9 am. We met with a new investigator who is really interested in Jesus Christ. But we can't meet with her until next month. We also had an English class. A member invites us to teach English to her friend's little kids. We use stories to teach them. Today was Daniel and the Lion's den. The member who puts this on is starting to go less active. I haven't seen her in a long time. So it was good to see what is going on in her life. She also came to church on Sunday! yay! And stayed all 3 hours:) Work in progress.
We had to bike up to a college area to meet with Liu Pin Shao. Meggie was going to help us out. But then the investigator stood us up. So we helped Meggie with college stuff. She also told us about her 13-year-old cousin who is interested in the church. Apparently they have been working on personal progress together.
We went to the hospital to see Ye Jie Mei and her grandma. I haven't been in a hospital in a long time. We said a prayer around the grandma. I felt like one of those priests that come in to bless a body. It was very spiritual though. Ye Jie Mei helped us say it and you could feel the love that she has for her grandma.
We met with another new girl, Michelle. She is mainly interested in English but was willing to listen to our message. She is already Christian but does not feel like she has a relationship with God. Well, we can help you with that.
We also met with An Ting. She is so excited to be baptized! Her goal right now is for March 5th. She is more outgoing and open with us. She is really shy but she is starting to come out of her shell. She is working on WOW right now! Go An Ting!
We biked over to Mickey's house and shared about the Holy Ghost. The scriptures do an amazing job at explaining the role of the Holy Ghost. Her husband still doesn’t pray or take any action...working on it. But she is doing great! She was telling us how she was "thinking the other day.." that means she is pondering and taking what we teach to heart.
We had a great lesson with Liu Pin Shao. She came to the family fireside last week. And that totally sparked her interest in coming back to church. But you know what she ended up not coming to church because she slept in...sad day. The ward is working well with her though. She is coming, slowly but surely.
Tonight we had a really cool experience. Our plan and back up fell through and so we didn't know what to do. Sister Rumsey taught me a "faith finding" activity. We pray at every stoplight to know where to turn. Then when we feel it is right we tract or contact. Well we passed lots of places that looked good...ended up in a deserted area but I felt like we were supposed to be there. We started tracting and we ran into an LA family! They have been baptized for 20 years and haven't been to church in 10 years. It was really cool to get to know them. They really liked to talk. But that was totally God's hand. Holy Cow- we did not expect to find a less active family in that neighborhood. #followthespirit
Saturday:
Another story about following the spirit: We went to An Ting's house to get her mom to sign a baptism permission slip. No one was home. Our back up plan also went through. We didn't know what to do so we prayed. And I was prompted to talk to my companion. Ok, I know that our unity is not quite there yet but I didn't see the point in just standing there talking about school. We felt for some reason like we didn't need to go anywhere. Well, 10 minutes later she pulls up and we get to talk about her daughter getting baptized. She wouldn't sign the paper, but was willing to pray about it. May have to delay the baptism. But that is ok. She will get baptized.
We met with VIvi and Titan today. Titan had a bunch of questions about the Millennium and Resurrection. He has already read the Gospel Principles book. He is..well...gonna be the Asia Area President someday.
We met with a less active today who is having a hard time. She talked...and talked...and talked. Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ. I was starting to get impatient with her talking. Then I said a little prayer in my heart and I started to really listen to what she was saying. I couldn't understand 1/2 of it though. She didn't need to be taught or invited to do a lot. She just needed someone to listen. And no one else was willing to do it, so I guess we will. It felt right and she needed it.
The ward is great here! The members are working really hard to help their friends come to church. They are praying for us and our investigators. They are doing great at fellowshipping our recent converts, Vivi and Titan. Some of them have the goal of helping one of their friends get baptized this year. I love our ward.
Love you all and see you next week :))
-Sister Graham