Hermana Dickson and Guillermina
.PNG)
17th
of Feb: We had an amazing lesson with Emmanuel (Not Manuel). The bishop
accompanied us, as well as the two sisters of his wife. We were
teaching him about the Restoration of the gospel, of the church of Jesus
Christ. The spirit was strong, but was nothing in comparison to the
spirit present after each of us one by one shared our testimony
regarding the Book of Mormon. The spirit's presence grew stronger and
more and more heightened as one testimony after another was shared. Each
was special, and each added to the beauty of the lesson, but the
testimony that meant the most was that of Hermana Machado, Emmanuel's
wife. As she shared her testimony of the Book of Mormon he couldn't give
her enough attention. The love he showed in his eyes and his posture
was so evident, so easy to see. He clung to every word as though it
would be the last time he ever saw her again. The key to Emmanuel's
conversion will be through the strength and testimony of his wife. That
is what draws him in and captures his attention. The hope that he can be
with his wife forever, not only during this brief mortal duration. It
made an impact on me and my companion, and was a lesson I will not
forget.
18th of Feb: We had a district
meeting:) It actually went quite well and I enjoyed it. After everything
wrapped up and it was time to go home I asked Elder Johnson, my
district leader, for a blessing of health, as I hadn't been feeling good
the majority of the week. He asked me which language I would prefer...
that's when you know your life has changed dramatically. I told him he
could give it in either language, but I ended up asking for the blessing
in English, just to mix things up. I don't remember all of what was
said, but as with any other blessing I instantly felt the love and the
concern my Father in Heaven has for me. Elder Johnson said that God was
grateful for the work I was doing, and that he was proud of me, things I
needed to hear. I know that I am doing well out here in the mission,
and I am doing my best to serve others and follow the Lord, but there
are times when I feel like I could be doing so much more, that Father
expects more from me. To hear that he was pleased with me really changed
the entire week for me and my outlook on the things I was doing, or
trying to do.
A street in Caballito
19th of Feb: Macarena
accompanied us! It was her first time and she did a wonderful job! I
think she thought my companion and I were crazy, because we were saying
hi to everyone on the street. Every time we would do so she would get
nervous and look at us with large, questioning eyes full of fear. I
completely understand, as I probably looked at my first companion in such
a way for the first couple months of the mission. With her help and enthusiasm we ended up teaching a lot of lessons and found some new
people to teach! My companion and I were in high spirits, spirits that
were only heightened as we had dinner with the Machado's and then began
to teach the Plan of Salvation. We had just finished explaining the
fall of Adam and Eve when we looked at the clock and saw that it was
past time to go. As we told him we'd have to come back to finish
teaching the lesson another day he looked at us and said, ¨You guys have
to go Now?? Can you come back
tomorrow?¨My companion and I just about keeled over... that is not the
usual reaction one receives from an investigator! We assured him we'd be
back as soon as he had time and ran out the door!
20
of Feb: We went to the doctor to put strange stuff on my face, as seems
to be a weekly ritual for me:)....... However, on our way over as we
were walking a couple blocks to the doctor's office we ran into a woman
from Utah. She greeted us as sisters, which was weird after hearing only
Hermana for months... Once in the office, as I finished my treatment
the woman helping me asked where I was from. I explained that I was from
the states, to which she started talking to us in English! The funny
thing about the people here is that they think they can speak very
well... she kept asking us if we wanted to use the toilet, and that if
we didn't want to have to wait there were two toilets downstairs. My
companion and I just about died... But you know, these things happen.
21st
of Feb: We had Samantha accompany us:) It was actually a great
experience, as she got to meet Bernarda and well as see the Bertoia
family, who live a couple blocks away from her. I could tell that
Samantha took a lot from the two little lessons, and I was glad we were
able to help all of them connect. We then went to a Family Home Evening a
the bishop's house with Macarena, Guillermina, and Lucila. We learned
about keeping the commandments, and about the freedom we receive by
doing so. Then we had pizza;)
A building in Caballito
22nd of Feb:
On Sunday we were finally in our own chapel, the one a block away from
our apartment! After some great church meetings we had lunch with the
Machado's and were able to finish teaching The Plan of Salvation.
Emmanuel was very attentive, and took everything in well, but as we
reached the end of the lesson and asked him how he felt about his
baptismal date of the first of March he said he still had his initial
doubt: that this church was the only true church. We explained to him
that the only way for him to know if the church was true was to read the
Book of Mormon and ask God if the book was true. He said that he had
yet to do so, even though we had invited him to do just that earlier in
the week. We asked him how he felt, and he said he felt as though he
needed to read the book to know for himself. My companion and I are
praying and fasting that he will do just that, because try as we might
we cannot and will not give him a testimony that these things are true.
His wife cannot give him a testimony. The bishop can't either. But HE
can. God can and Will give us answers, if we are willing to receive and
ACT on the promptings given. Of this I am CERTAIN. I don't have any
doubts. We finished off the day by having the most American dinner ever.
It was wonderful, the family was wonderful, and we ended off the week
very well.
So, here is the homework for all of
you lovely people this week! Ready? Great:) Read this and send me a
message telling me what you think! mallory.dickson@myldsmail.net
>>>>>>>>>> THIS: The Quest for Spiritual Knowledge
Love you all!
Hermana Dickson
No comments:
Post a Comment