Literally flying as we got our flight plans!
My last Preparation Day, in the evening Hermana Johnson
and I had the opportunity to once again teach Javier:) and were
extremely excited about this! We were planning on focusing on asking
inspired questions and listening as we taught. We also really wanted to
focus on baptism. Upon ending the prayer we asked him how he had liked 1
Nephi 8. He said he had found it very interesting and that verse 28 had
really connected with him. It talked about taking of the fruit, or the
love of Christ, and them falling away because of heeding those who
mocked from the great and spacious building (the philosophies and
beliefs of the world and of the devil). He said he connected to this
verse because He had been one of those people. He told us he never
wanted to do that again, that he wanted to stay. Hermana Johnson and I
were obviously thrilled to hear such!
We started explaining the
symbolism behind the tree and the fruit, that it represented Christ. I
then asked him how he thought he could hold on to the rod of iron spoken
of in the story (the word of God). He mentioned reading the scriptures,
the Book of Mormon, and how by holding onto the literal Book of Mormon
he was holding on to the rod. I asked him what he thought he needed to
do after partaking of the fruit. He said that after doing such we needed
to Never fall away. Hermana Johnson started talking about ways to
follow Christ and was talking about the five steps: faith, repentance,
baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end
when I felt very strongly that we needed to ask him his thoughts
concerning baptism. I could Feel that Javier had things to say. As soon
as there was a pause I asked him,
"What are your thoughts concerning baptism?"
He thought for a moment or two before saying,
"I
am willing. I want to be baptized. I know it is right."
Hermana Johnson
freaked out a little bit she was so thrilled! Javier looked up to see
such enthusiasm and laughed, pointing out how big our smiles were. We
didn't mind; we were'e unabashedly thrilled! I then asked him how He
felt about it. He said it felt right and that he felt very at peace,
even if a little nervous as well. I felt that peace as well, and it was a
very comforting feeling, like coming home to friends and family after a
long day of work and stress. We asked him if he would say the closing
prayer. He gave a little chuckle of apprehension but once again gave a
beautiful prayer in which he thanked Heavenly Father for our smiles and
the choice to be baptized. Hermana Johnson also thought she heard him
say that he prayed for his friend who had hurt him before and had made
him apprehensive about the church.
We left that lesson feeling on top of the world. We've never
gotten this far with an investigator! It's exhilarating and so powerful!
I love it, I truly, truly do,
Some photos:
on our way to the temple: Hermanas Hawkins and Johnson
Mi Companera y Yo
August 16th was my one month mission anniversary! An entire month done already... that's hard to believe... only 17 more!
On the 18th we had to the opportunity to teach
Javier again:) We're been teaching him since the 30th of July! Esta
loca. We didn't have a lot of time to teach, but we did ask him how
"going with us" to church went. He said it seemed familiar, not as
strange as he thought it would be/ He also said he felt the spirit
during church. We then talked about obedience and how we folowed because
we loved the Lord and that it was essential to having the Holy Ghost.
We also talked about the necessity to praying every day as well as
reading the scriptures diariomente. Javier loves reading the Book of
Mormon, but he didn't think he'd have time to read every day. I promised
him that as he took the time to read every day that he would develop
more faith and that the Holy Ghost would become more present in his
life. I also explained that even reading one verse was better than
nothing because each read would build off the other, He asked if by only
reading a verse a day he would continue to develop. I told him yes, but
that it would be much slower, and that the more he read the faster he
would develop. It was a good lesson, though short, and he ended with the
prayer. He wasn't as hesitant as he'd been the past when we'd asked him
to pray. I'm so thankful for the opportunity I've had to meet Javier
and teach him.
Beautiful night at the MTC
August 20th consisted of so many amazing and happy
events! I knew it would be destined for greatness when I walked out into
the beautiful rain. It was cold and lightly drizzling with thick puffs
of clouds once more. A truly beautiful day. As we were finishing up
class and about to go the lunch we ran into Hely and Jose! It was so
good to see them! We instantly asked if we could take a picture with
them. I was so happy to get one.
They then talked to us. Jose told mi
companera y yo that he was very thankful for our teaching and especially
for the words I shared regarding the situation with his daughter, the
experience I had shared. He said we could have success and this because
of the fact that we truly loved those we taught. He said he could feel
the love we had for him when he was being taught and that because of this
love we would go far. Hely also told us how special we were and how lucky
Argentina was to have us. We hugged her quite a few time. Jose also
told Hermana Johnson and I that he was going to visit his home in
Guatemala and that when he did he would send us letters. So cool! We
also got their email and they took ours, promising to write. Such
amazing, wonderful people! I love them more than I can express and can't
wait to have this kind of love for the people of Argentina!
This is where we first met Jose at the park bench:
My Favorite part of the day was teaching Javier for
the last time, which was saddening, but the lesson went unbelievably
well. The spirit taught a gorgeous, fluid, conversation-esque lesson. We
started with a kneeling prayer that I had the privilege of giving. As I
did I prayed that the spirit would be in the lesson (which was more
than answered). We then asked him what he thought of Enos 1, the chapter
we'd asked him to read. He mentioned that he really enjoyed it,
especially the part about a "lucha", or a struggle before God. We
explained what this meant to us, to which he quietly asked,
"But how do we come out triumphant in this struggle?" At this point I felt impressed to share Mosiah 3:19. He then said,
"Oh!
So we're struggling with the natural man?" We told him this was correct
and explained that all of us had this natural man and needed Christ to
overcome it. Hermana Johnson then asked how Javier's prayers were. He
said they were going well but that he didn't pray every day. We
explained that when we pray every day, just as when we read the
scriptures every day, that we gain power, the power of God through the
Holy Ghost to overcome the natural man.
My depiction of the plan of salvation:
Everything Hermana Johnson and I have learned about teaching these
last 6 weeks were in this beautiful lesson. We forgot about the language
and focused on only teaching the things of the spirit. We kept it
simple and took turns frequently in who was speaking. We used scriptures
well and shared personal experiences. We listened to Javier and asked
inspired questions that helped him to teach himself. We applied the
doctrine of Christ to His needs. I felt so happy and at peace when we
felt the lesson! The spirit was so warm and present during the lesson. I
felt so invited by the spirit to learn more also. It is true, that when
we teach with the Holy Ghost that All are enlightened, the missionaries
and the investigators. It is a beautiful and miraculous process and I
cannot express how glad I am to be a part of it.
Being here is such a miracle. I love all of my district as brothers
and sisters. I learn so much from everyone and every one invites the
spirit and works hard.
This week has been
amazing in so many ways. I do not have the words to fully describe it.
As Hermana Johnson and I have played a game where we are "spending the
day in Argentina", aka speaking solely Spanish during the whole day,
amazing things have happened. I don't even Want to speak in English!
(I'm perfectly ok with writing in it, however;)
We often study out here at the picnic table:
I love you all and pray that God is with you:)
Hermana Mallory Dickson
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