About the obnoxious title of this entree... So, ever since Sister Stephens and I came home from the long P-day which was spent dealing with getting car details worked out from my little accident of hitting the curb, we literally just spoke to each other in Russian accents for a good hour for the heck of it. I think it's because we watched "The Saratov Approach" the day before.
And after zat, ze Russian, it just never stop!
It's gotten to the point now where it's hard to get out of the Russian accent. One time Sister Stephens started praying like "Dear Heavenly--- ...Dear Heavenly F.." Oh man, so funny!
And we will be talking in our normal American accent to teach lessons but I was catching weird things like 'l's and 'e's that Sister Stephen's said in a slight Russian accent, and she said she caught the same thing with me! Haha.
And we will be talking in our normal American accent to teach lessons but I was catching weird things like 'l's and 'e's that Sister Stephen's said in a slight Russian accent, and she said she caught the same thing with me! Haha.
Oh, and by the way, some bummer news, because of my accident, I have been black dotted for six months, meaning I can't drive until August. ...Well, I can drive in the last three months of my mission, when I'm in a new mission and everything because of this mission shrinking down and changing the name to the Bismark, North Dakota Mission and everything.
But, oh well. At least I can like, use the map and phone and stuff instead of having to concentrate on driving.
But, oh well. At least I can like, use the map and phone and stuff instead of having to concentrate on driving.
So this week it was interesting. We did not have very many lessons. All of the less actives that we usually work with were either out of town or recovering from surgery. And there were many instances where we saw people, but we didn't have a lesson, but it was so important just to see them! So it was a good week, and we did in fact have a lesson that was super inspired.
And he saith unto them... it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father (Matthew 20:23).
It was Tuesday, we didn't have the car, and we had lots of time that we were needed to figure out what to do with. Sister Stephens, I'm so grateful for her, said, "let's just go outside and try that former investigator. Heavenly Father will bless us for going out and trying!"
So we did, and it was actually super nice outside! The sun was shining, there was LOTS of snow, but it was pretty warm. It really reminded me of Flagstaff, this walk did.
It took us about twenty to thirty minutes to walk down this main road to get to the apartment complex the former investigator was at, but we had so much fun trekking through the snow and talking in Russian accents! About half of the sidewalk was cleared and half wasn't, it was pretty crazy. We wrote stuff in the snow at one point and when we got the the apartments...
It took us about twenty to thirty minutes to walk down this main road to get to the apartment complex the former investigator was at, but we had so much fun trekking through the snow and talking in Russian accents! About half of the sidewalk was cleared and half wasn't, it was pretty crazy. We wrote stuff in the snow at one point and when we got the the apartments...
*In Russian accent* "Why our appointment on other side of snowhill?"
But it was okay. We just walked around.
And here is the thing. Heavenly Father's hand is so evident in this! We tried this potential first, but she wasn't home, so we left a sticky note. And then, we are going to try this former and we realize, because all the apartments look practically the same, that we left the sticky note on the wrong door! As we walk up the stairs to leave the sticky note on the correct door, we see someone pulling up and it was the former investigator! And he walked into his apartment just below us as we put the sticky note on the correct door!
And here is the thing. Heavenly Father's hand is so evident in this! We tried this potential first, but she wasn't home, so we left a sticky note. And then, we are going to try this former and we realize, because all the apartments look practically the same, that we left the sticky note on the wrong door! As we walk up the stairs to leave the sticky note on the correct door, we see someone pulling up and it was the former investigator! And he walked into his apartment just below us as we put the sticky note on the correct door!
And then! Well, first off, we were distracted by seeing this.
We thought it was so funny, but anyways, we knocked, and his sister answered! A female! We knew we could now ask to come 'in!'
If she hadn't answered, we wouldn't have asked because we have to have another female with us all the time when teaching, getting rides, etc. And we got in and taught the plan of salvation!
And then, whoever it was like, came and picked them up right after the lesson! Holy cow inspired.
If she hadn't answered, we wouldn't have asked because we have to have another female with us all the time when teaching, getting rides, etc. And we got in and taught the plan of salvation!
And then, whoever it was like, came and picked them up right after the lesson! Holy cow inspired.
It's neat because this former is so genuine. We first contacted him in October and he even said the closing prayer on the doorstep, even though he was a little hesitant. He told us this day that he's not really wanting to continue probably because he's young and he likes to do fun things like drink once a week and he smokes and he's just not really wanting to give that up.
But we shared the plan of salvation with him anyway and he was really interested in the three kingdoms of glory.
But we shared the plan of salvation with him anyway and he was really interested in the three kingdoms of glory.
We are giving him a month, that's what he requested, then we will try him back.
SO INSPIRED this lesson was!
SO INSPIRED this lesson was!
For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith, (2 Nephi 27:23).
Another person we were able to visit-- one of the less actives that we got in with on the Saturday of the 17 miracles week. She is native and, Oh man, she has had such a rough life! Her living situation is not good. Her husband died a few years back, leaving her with three young boys, now ages 3, 7, and 8. She now has a job that treats her better, thank goodness, but she is on her own with no family here to support her, it's super hard to get by on the little food stamp money she has, it's super hard for us to get in with her to check up on her, and just, it's hard! AND her brother (that she hadn't known about until three years ago) was just murdered brutally, thrown into a river after being beaten so bad that he died by drowning....
And she still prays. She still believes in miracles. Even in her situation. Even with not coming to church in years. It's... really amazing. What an example.
Wherefore we would have come unto you... once and again; but Satan hindered us (1 Thessalonians 2:18).
Why does this scripture perfectly describe Henry and Elizabeth!
They are awesome! But Satan is making it SO HARD for them to come to church! Henry had to work because he's training a new guy and couldn't switch the shift, and Elizabeth had her sporadic nerve in her back, side effect from having an epideral I guess, act up due to the weather, and she's had bad falls before when trying to fight through the pain and so she told us she couldn't come. Satan! Ah!
They are awesome! But Satan is making it SO HARD for them to come to church! Henry had to work because he's training a new guy and couldn't switch the shift, and Elizabeth had her sporadic nerve in her back, side effect from having an epideral I guess, act up due to the weather, and she's had bad falls before when trying to fight through the pain and so she told us she couldn't come. Satan! Ah!
But they will come. One day.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne (Revelation 3:21).
Last but not least, Sister Stephens and I both received priesthood blessings this week because of the general stresses of preaching the gospel. In my blessing it was stated, "Your Heavenly Father cares more about your progression than your comfort." I'm so grateful for the priesthood.
Until next week!
P.S. Snow, Snow, Snow!
P.S. Snow, Snow, Snow!
Always a pleasure to read about your experiences! Keep up the good work! You are loved! -- Andrew & Kathy Trefethen
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