This week was so good! We had some great training from President and Sister Senior, had many many hours of contacting, got hot and sweaty and even rained on at some times. It was fun! Sister Mamea and I love the work here!
I think this week we learned a lot about being better teachers and being more prepared to be able to teach any investigator with any kind of concern, no sweat. A lot of our focus this week was on improving ourselves so that we can be prepared to do what the Lord requires of us.
On Thursday we received a great training in which we had a Zone companionship study. It was great! President and Sister Senior were our "Senior Companions" as you will and led us in a discussion about teaching people and not just lessons. I learned a lot about it, and took a lot of notes about what we needed to improve on. A lot of it goes back to asking inspired questions in order to discover people's backgrounds, expectations, and concerns. I realized that instead of looking for people without concerns who were ready to be baptized, we should instead be looking for those that the Lord has prepared for us, regardless if they have concerns or not, and then I should just learn to improve my teaching so that we can accurately and appropriately address people's concerns. :) I never expected this work to be easy, and it certainly has lived up to that expectation! However, with the Lord's help, improved teaching skills, and the ability to discern people's real needs, we don't have to worry because Christ helps lighten our burdens.
This week was so good in that we got 4 new investigators! 3 of which were a referral from Sister Eye - they all go to the same school as her. Apparently everyone at her school knows that she is Christian (which is a big thing here in Thailand) and always asks her questions, but sometimes she isn't sure if they are sincere. But here are 3 great girls who are actually really interested in Christianity. The only problem they have is that their families aren't really supportive. But with the new training we received we had a greater vision of what we needed to do to understand them, and it went great! It is amazing how much asking questions to better understand someone can really help them feel that you love them and that you really want to help them come unto Christ.
I also realized from this experience, really how much members and missionaries must work together. We are preparing for an open house on the 31st and the members made little fliers, then gave 2 to each member with instructions to pray about 2 of their friends that they could invite to come learn more about our church. I realized that no matter who we are - youth, adult, missionary, member - we always have a responsibility to help the Lord's work of salvation so that it can reach every nation, kindred, tongue, and people!
And this is why: (2 Nephi 2:6-9)
6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.
7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah,who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
9 Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.
He is the reason - even Jesus Christ himself. He is the reason we are here, and the reason that we can return to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father again, with our eternal families. Is there no greater reason to be a disciple of Jesus Christ than Jesus Christ himself? Certainly God has placed people in our paths who need to be brought to know of the knowledge of their Savior and Redeemer, for no person can return except they shall receive Him, repent of their sins, and keep His commandments. Christ already suffered for each of us. He payed the price of sin.
Part of keeping the covenants we make when we are baptized is to repent and serve Him to the end. That is the whole purpose of this life - so why no live it up to the fullest? Our personal salvation and the salvation of those around us is not just a personal work. It is impossible to keep our covenants and be alone in this work - unless we are actively working with others to bring about God's eternal purposes, we cannot possibly be keeping our covenants. It is God's work and His glory "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Certainly, He needs our help to do this too. Otherwise, He wouldn't need missionaries!
11 And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance,which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls. (Helaman 5:11)
Each of us can be God's angels to those around us. Become a blessing in someone else's life by just caring more sincerely and acting on the promptings you receive to share. God will not fail us in this work - we only need to try our hardest and He will make up for the rest! Don't short-change yourself by not living up to your eternal potential. :)
Love you all,
Sister Norrell
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