Well, this week really seemed to blow by but oddly it also felt very slow. There was not a huge portion that happened this week. But enough was done that I do feel somewhat satisfied.
This week our main focuses was to get those in whom had progressed past the first 2 visits to be considered a progressing investigator, which entails: Coming to sacrament, having a baptismal date and keeping all other commitments. There are three primarily great prospects as we move in to this coming week.
Jodyann: She is 18, and is the cousin of a recent convert. She came to church a couple of weeks ago just to visit and we were able to set up an appointment with her. The first session was great. We really got to know her and she us. Her main concern had to deal with the plan of salvation which we were able to explain really clearly and she likewise was able to understand. She has accepted a baptismal date and she is now making some awesome changes. We are hoping that in these next few weeks we will be able to help her get to where she wants to be. She really is a great person.
Monique: She is about 21, and she is a fireball. She was living next to the same recent convert who used to be kind of wild. They had been friends for quite some time and Monique was shocked to see her change so quickly. She then understood that there was something definitely different about what is in the church. We have thus been teaching her. She has gone through some struggles but is surely moving forward with her progressing. Really we have been focusing on the effort it takes and the blessing granted as we use both our faith and works to accomplish that in which is set before us. She has really gravitated to what she needs to do and has great questions that we try as delicately as possible to answer so that she doesn't misunderstand.
Dianne: She was actually being taught by other missionaries that were here before me or Elder Martin. She has a very troubling concern with her family. As soon as she began to read from the Book of Mormon her heart was filled with understanding and just as she was making the greatest steps forward the greatest trial came. Her family is the main support of her emotionally and financially. She was threatened to have everything taken away from her if she joined this church. Which I don't get because who doesn't want to lead a life of happiness through the qualities of a perfect person. (Would someone please explain that to me me?!) Leading a life in the footsteps of Christ is the best thing you could possibly do. You learn to understand correct principles and as you follow them see the quality of your life increase. You become the best person you can, which is what her family wants her to become. Yet, they don't want her to do it here. In which it really cause me to chuckle when her family so fiercely debates on being so Christlike yet they can't let there well beloved to make her own choice that leads to eternal perfection. As you can see, we were able to subdue her family right out of the gate. I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES!!!!!!
Other than that, I myself am doing great. We had somewhat of a blast this week. Just hoping that we see a faster progression as we try to pick up more people to talk with.
If I had any advice for future missionaries, it would be to be honest with yourself in doing things in a way you know how. By being yourself, exemplifying the gospel within you. You are here on the earth for a reason, and those reasons are found in living what you know to be true. The Gospel is fun. If you think not. You are doing something wrong.
To describe how this week really went physically... I will use three words. I AM WET!!!!!!
-Elder Nathan Christensen
