Another week has gone by. Time just keeps on ticking. This transfer cycle is
almost over. On Monday I'll find out if I'm being transferred or not. It's
hard to tell what will happen because we have two English sisters leaving
and two Spanish sisters coming in. Which means they are low on English
Sisters. But then we have three sisters here. So will they keep all three of
us here? Will they move me back to Spanish? Or will Sis. Koscinski move
because she has been here since October? I guess we will see on Monday.
It's been an interesting week. Not the easiest, but not the hardest and I made it through. We went tracting this
week to try to find some new investigators. We met some really irritated
people. One slammed the door saying "Not interested!". This other man who
spoke with a Greek Accent said, "I'm Orthodox, I was born Orthodox, show me
that your religion is better than mine and I will join it." I told him we
would love to come by and tell him more about it to which he responded quite
adamantly, "No, don't tell me, show me!" and then shut the door. Then
another basically told me the Book of Mormon was not true and had no
archaeological evidence to back it up. When I bore my testimony that it was
true he basically told me that I received false revelation from a false
spirit. And this all happened within an hour! But then we did meet a very
nice Hindu man. Some of the most Christian people, aren't Christians. I
sometimes wonder how that works.
Happy news. Gloria committed to being baptized! We are working a lot with
her to overcome her addiction though. The trouble is that she is rarely home
because she is trying to avoid those who drag her down. She enjoys meeting
with us, but it's hit and miss when we stop by. She is going to take some
time.
We also have another investigator who expressed a desire to be baptized. His
name is Kenny and is really nice. He actually has HIV as result of a blood
transfusion he had when he was 15. He's now in his 40's and is so positive
about life, which is good because so many turned negative. The only thing is
I'm not sure he realizes the depth of the commit. That you aren't just
baptized and that was it, but that's a covenant that we make for the rest of
your life. We tried to explain it to him, but I'm still not sure he
understood the depth. He said he needed to talk to his wife first about it
(She's catholic and wasn't there for the second appointment). He did say as
we were about to leave that he felt such happiness when we were there. I
told him it was the spirit testifying that it was true.
I'm coming to learn that every person has some sort of obstacle that they
need to get over to be baptized. Most people think that it should go easily
because they are doing what the Lord wants right? Well, it is what the Lord
wants, but it's not what Satan wants and he will prevent it if he can. But
if they are able to take the step of faith and rely on the Lord, they
testimony is strengthened and they are better prepared to face the upcoming
challenges because they promise is not that they won't be there, but that we
will have the strength to endure from them and learn from them.
This last Sunday was Easter Sunday. Sis. Koscinski and I sang for it with
Sis. Vathauer as accompanist. The members said we sounded good. I hope it
was. I then taught gospel principles and Sis. Vathauer taught the Young
Women's since so many were out of town. It was a good Easter. We went over
to a ward member's house for Lunch. Bro. and Sis. Scheringer. They are
really nice. We are actually going to go over there and make cards with them
for some of our P-day. I'm excited.
Mom, you asked if you thought it was all over the United States that people
are hardened against hearing the gospel. Maybe this is true, but then maybe
it's just another tactic that Satan wants us to get discouraged because we
think nobody will listen. There are people out there, ready to hear, but we
have to find them. One of the scriptures that keeps me going is in Amos I
believe that says that people are kept from the truth only because they know
not where to find it. What that means is that we need to find them and if it
means going through those who (at this point) are not interested then that's
what we need to do. The big focus is finding the elect (the people that God
has prepared to hear the gospel) because they are out there. Our example is
a big way of showing our beliefs, but eventually we do need to invite. It
can be done in a non-threatening way. Talk to the missionaries, maybe you
can have a family home evening teaching about the gospel of Jesus Christ
that you could invite people over too. I'll be the first to admit that the
inviting part is scary. I'm still scared to do it and I'm a missionary, but
I'm learning. and it even says in Preach My Gospel, that we can pray for
courage and boldness. That best advice, is that when you invite you always
invite out of love. I bet you are doing a wonderful job and it sounds like
it is your desire. I know the Lord will bless you for it.
Well, my time is short and this letter is now a mile long. I'll let you
know next week where I will be, whether it's still in Kingston or somewhere
else. I love you lots and hope everything is well and on it's way to being
figured out. Thanks for the Easter Egg and all the letters. They make me
smile. Love you so very much.
Love,
Erin
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