We started teaching a crazy old lady who basically only wants "Good, God fearing, and single men" for her daughters and granddaughters, and thinks that with missionaries, she has found the jackpot. She already has us matched up in her mind with specific ones, and is trying to get her daughters to meet with us. They live out of state, we we think we are pretty safe for now. Looks like my companion got matched with a 19 year old in the Navy, and I got picked out for a 31 year old with 2 kids. like I said, she is crazy, but super funny and makes some amazing mexican food. We love her, and believe it or not, she actually loves The Book of Mormon, and is learning.
I have learned to just laugh at things a lot more, this week. From people pretending they don't know English only to find out I know more spanish then them (and that is saying a lot), to all the crazy people we meet, it just helps you to love God's children and laugh every now and then at the funny situations we get ourselves in.
Church last Sunday was really cool. A recent convert was ordained a priest, and was then able to ordain his son to the office of deacon. These people were baptized only 2 months ago, and it is incredible to see the change in their lives and even their own family. The Gospel really is the only way to bring true happiness, and generations down the line, that families Grandchildren can look back and point to them and say "Those people, they are the ones that brought this blessing into our lives, they are the ones who started it all for us, that gave us this chance." Just like all those Utah Mormons who can trace it back to a pioneer. These people are just as vital to their families, they are the pioneers. It really makes me appreciate my own family, and how blessed I am. I don't even know the names of those elderly couple missionaries that taught my mom and her family, but they definitely have blessings stored for them in heaven, along with my grandparents for being willing to listen and accept that message. I can't express how grateful I am for them, and I love seeing that joy grow in these families.
A member who had been staying in our ward temporarily on a job assignment for the past 3 months was allowed to give his testimony yesterday before he left back to his home. He was originally from one of the pacific Islands (Tonga, I think) and is a huge, intimidating guy, with a voice like gravel, but gave one of the most humble and heartfelt testimonies I have heard in a while. He spoke of how much love he had for the ward and The Church, and spoke of the power of members and the love that is felt in the true church of Christ. With tears flowing, he spoke of how if the members could just reach out and show others that love, and bring them to the knowledge of how much their redeemer loves them, we could have four stakes here and turn the city of Muscatine into the city of Enoch, into true Zion. And it really struck me.
Looking around this city, you wouldn't see much potential. Heck, it has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the country per capita (haven't checked up on that, but you hear it a lot here). But he is absolutely right. None of us our perfect, or even agree with the choices we all make, but if we could still all love each other with the pure love of Christ, and love outsiders enough to do all in our power to help them feel it too, miracles happen. That is truly how any missionary work is done, how converts are not only baptized but stay active. It really is how much effort the members take in reaching out to others, even if just as a friend at first, showing them the warmth of their family. That family that got baptized a few months ago would never have progressed without the example and love of the Ward. It is the reason we are here, that our work is not done.
It so so easy to lose sight of our purpose, but if we could think of the blessings this gospel has given us, that Christ has, we can't honestly claim to be his servants if we don't do his work and help others get there too. And in doing so, we will find greater joy than we could in anything else.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 18
14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
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