There has been a little drama this week - and of course everyone tells the Sister Missionaries about it. (Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be as "in the dark" as an Elder...haha!) We were getting all the latest updates and we got so overwhelmed that we didn't even know what to do with the situation. Basically after receiving the most recent news, we were so astounded and shocked and at a loss of what to do, we just started laughing about it. It was so ridiculous, yet so serious that we just couldn't stop laughing even though the entire time we were like "We really shouldn't be laughing about this!". Sometimes, you just have to let go and laugh. It doesn't do much good to be too stressed about things, especially when it is all beyond your own control to do anything about.
We saw a lot of success this week in our inviting efforts. I still wasn't feeling completely up to par, but I prayed really hard that the Lord would just help me forget about myself and let me invite for our two hours so that we could be obedient. It was some of the best two hours of inviting we have had in a long time! We didn't get a lot of numbers, but I felt happy and just like I really had the Savior's enabling power become part of me. Two of our investigators at church on Sunday came from that inviting. One of them, who originally passed both of us and then decided to come back, said he just felt like he NEEDED to talk to us. He felt like we could answer the question he has had in his heart for a long time. He came early and stayed for all three hours of church! After it was over, I was back to feeling a little weaker again, but it really was a testament to me that God does answer our prayers!
Saturday we made another trip to the hospital to get more antibiotics. (Hopefully this round will clear it all up!) And then we were going to be in Asoke anyways because we were blessed to be able to go to a special meeting. (Yay for being missionaries in Bangkok!) We got to receive a special visit from Elder Allen, the head honcho over all the missionary affairs of the church. It was so so good. He talked about perfecting our missionary work - working through the members and also holding onto the fruits of our labor. It was exactly what we needed to know in this mission. We've gotten fast at baptizing - but there's always a better way to do it. It was almost like a slap in the face, but it was okay because it was done through the Spirit and with love. It was so good to get some further direction, and also be in the perfect place to receive some personal revelation on how to be a better missionary in all aspects.
Sunday! We had 3 investigators at church. YES! Talk about success!! It felt so good to have people at church again. Then the best part is after church. We got a new investigator. We met her at The Mall Bangkapi - she actually came up to us and asked us where the church was. But she got stuck at work so she didn't make it. Turns out she just became Christian because God helped her find work but the church she was going to was all in English so she didn't even know what being Christian entailed. She wanted to meet with us so she could know more. She came, we taught her the Restoration of the Gospel - about Joseph Smith and the First Vision, about the Crucifixion, about prophets and about the Priesthood. By the end she just asked "Is it all true?" We asked her if she really wanted to know and she said "I want to know so badly. I will change my whole life just to know and to follow it." We told her that the best way is for her to know for herself so we committed her to pray and bore our testimonies. She has a couple problems, but she is so willing just to overcome them all. She works on Sundays, but she's totally willing to take a pay cut for not going in just so she can go to church. Or she will just find new work. She's so perfect. I can't wait to continue working with her!
This week was so great. I was so thankful for all that the Lord blessed us with this week. Something I really liked that I learned this week is that there is a difference between change and repentance. Repentance involves the Savior. We are told that no man can be saved except for it be on the conditions of repentance. I love the account of the Nephites in the Book of Helaman. When pride and wickedness was presented before them, they took this inspired approach:
35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea,even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. (Helaman 3:35)
True repentance comes when we learn more of the Savior and just try our hardest to yield ourselves to Him. He knows more than we do, and we just waste our time when we fight against Him and His will. He knows what is best for us, the question comes if we will know or not what is best for us. In order to know, we must submit to Him and be humble unto repentance. There is so much more to this life - especially when we realize that what we do in this life determines the state of our next eternal life. How much urgency should we display in this short time of probation and preparation that we have to meet our Eternal Father again.
13 That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly;but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done.
14 Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.
This time is of infinite worth. Remember to look to God in all things, and constantly strive to improve. We can try to change on our own, but what good will it profit us if we try to do it without the help of our Savior? He is the only one that can free us from sin and forgive us for our mistakes. How great is our need for Him. He truly is the Son of God and our Savior and Redeemer. Remember that it is never too late to start where we are.
27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.
28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. (Helaman 3:27-28)
I love you all! Until next week!
Sister Norrell
Funny pictures: Saw some cute outfits for dogs. Maybe Chewy needs a Halloween costume!
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