January 21, 2018
haha this week we got Facebook on our phones and have been
trained on how to use it! I have quickly remembered in just one week why I hated social media... and that I will definitely not use it after my mission!
but I am sorta excited for this new tool in missionary work!
I don't have much time... but I want to talk about an
experience I had at church this week. The teacher asked us "what is one
good thing and one bad thing that happened this week?" she said sometimes
we only focus on the bad... and we forget the good!
Well at that time I was focusing on the bad... just one few
hours earlier our investigator came to church... because of the language
barrier or maybe just denial I didn't realize that when he said this would be
our last meeting that this would be our last meeting....
We walked in and it was about an hour before church started.
We did some small talk and I was so happy to see him because I hadn't seen him
in 2 weeks because he got really sick. Then I realized that this was not a
happy meeting and he wasn't coming to church today.
He went on to explain that this really would be the last
time we could ever see each other and that we could never speak again. He told
me that his wife hates religion and banned him from coming to church and
meeting with us. He told me that she doesn't even want him to speak to us
because we could have a religious influence on him. I then realized this truly
was the last time I would ever see him.
Some of you may not know but the love that we feel for the
people we serve is super strong. And this was the first person I have taught on
my mission that REALLY was taking the steps and making the changes for baptism.
He was so sincere and so kind and really wanted to know the truth. Over our 6
meetings and weeks of calls and texting, I had grown to love him so much and
truly desire his eternal salvation.
Almost through tears he
thanked me for everything and told me he didnt have a testimony of the truth
yet,but that he had started to feel God and that I changed his life... he told
me he really wanted to keep meeting and really loves our church... but he has
to chose his wife. I told him I understood and that I would pray for him. I tried to get him to remember the feelings he had had with us and when he
prayed. He did... but he said he can't lose his wife and children...
Then we said one last prayer together. He prayed for our
success and for him to live a happy life. He thanked God for sending us to him
and he prayed for his wife's heart to open and that we could one day meet
again.
I was not doing a good job of holding back my tears... and
as I watched him walk out the door I let the sobs out and wept. I stood there
for 20 minutes crying... then church was going to start so I cleaned up, put on
a fake smile and started to greet members and act like nothing happened.
So when this question was posed just an hour or so later I was still focusing on that and I made the mistake of telling myself this week
was awful because of just one thing. But as I thought about her question and
really thought about my week I realized SO MUCH GOOD happened. My mission President told me that he was tremendously proud of my work and that he doesn't
think another missionary is working harder right now. We taught three
investigators and they all really progressed! I got to visit my favorite member
and so so much more!
I encourage you all to not focus and let one or two sad
moments. Don't let one thing bring you down! Just because we all have some sad
experiences doesn't mean life is sad and terrible and miserable! There is always
good and always happy moments... and even when you think you will never be
happy again, I promise you will! That's the nature of Gods plan of
HAPPINESS!
I love you all and have a good week!
Elder Goon
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