Hey y'all!
It has been a crazy week full of finding. Our mission does what is
called Power Hour, which is basically a whole hour of just finding activities
from 6-7 pm each day, because that's when people are usually home. Keep
reading - you'll discover why I explained this to you.
It seems as though our teaching pool here in Memorial Springs seems
to go in waves... we find all sorts of awesome potential investigators, and
then they all seem to drop off the face of the planet. Or they just tell
us they're not interested anymore, because they're going to a different church.
One thing that's great about the bible belt - everyone is open to talking
about religion. The flip side to that coin - there are so many different
churches around here to choose from - if you don't like any of the churches
down here, that's ok because you can go ahead and start your own. And
because of that so many people are confused. I don't know if I've told
you about Iva, but she's one of our current investigators. She had no
problem believing the Joseph Smith story, because her preacher claims to have
had a similar experience. But she doesn't believe that the priesthood
authority is only in our church, because her preacher has been called of God
too. ... kind of difficult.
Anyway, sorry, I'm kind of rambling here... but right now our
teaching pool is kind of slim. So Sister Walker and I have been focusing
on finding activities, and so we've been making Power Hour a priority. We
even had a whole day that we didn't have any appointments, so we made it our
Power Hour Day. We tracted and talked to people, and had a lot of good
discussions. There was even one street that we taught 5 lessons on
people's doorsteps! 5! Just on one street! Unfortunately most
of them don't want us to come back, but there was one teenager, Alante, that we
talked too, and she said that she and her mom would love to hear more, so we're
looking forward to meeting with them.
Unfortunately, tracting does have it's negatives. While most
people thank us for our time and our service, and wish us good luck in
spreading the word of God, or at least tell us they're not interested in a
polite way, we still get those that slam their doors in our faces, or tell us
we're following the devil and that we're going to hell. But I've
definitely learned to take rejection on my mission - we just smile and wish
them a nice day. No matter what - we still have the truth. And I
wish everyone else would just accept it already.
Let's see, what happened other than finding this week... We were
asked to help the cub scouts earn their religious knot, so we went to their den
meeting this week and helped them prepare a skit on one of their favorite
scripture stories. We asked them what their favorite stories were, and
after we had a good list they decided that they would act out the story of
Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. It was crazy, but that's just
how large groups of young boys are. :) And honestly, I was surprised at
how well they knew the story, and were able to apply it into their own lives.
(seriously - when we asked the boys for their favorite scripture stories,
one of them said his favorite was when Amulek takes on Zeezrom. I'm
pretty sure I didn't even know Zeezrom's name when I was his age.) The
church is definitely helping the younger generations to learn and apply the
scriptures - it will definitely help these boys as they grow up and serve
missions and have to face the world. It was fun to work with them, and
now they're one step closer to getting their religious knot. :)
We also had Zone Meeting this week - our Zone is super small now
because they split what used to be the Klein Zone into two parts. So now
it's just my district (4 sisters and 2 elders) and one other district (with 4
sisters and 6 elders). We used to have about 36 missionaries in the zone,
so it was... different... to be in such a small group. But it was good -
I feel like we'll be able to get to know each other better this way. The
Zone Meeting was super good - it was all about Spiritual Awakenings - coming
closer to God and receiving answers and revelation after trials and prayer and
sincere desire. I really like our new Zone Leaders - they teach well
together, and are good at getting everyone involved. Of course, that last
point could be because we're in a smaller group... whatever. They're
great, and I like my zone. :)
Unfortunately, Wes and Kelly had to cancel their appointment with us
this week... they haven't gotten back with us so we can reschedule yet, but
hopefully we'll see them soon. And Robert canceled both appointments we
had with him this week, but he did come to church, which was good. And we
have an appointment with him this week - hopefully that goes through. He
could really use a lot of prayers right now.
I think that's all for this week in Memorial Springs. I still
love it here, and I still love the work. I love you all so much!
Thanks for the love and support! I hope y'all have a fabulous week.
:)
Sister Ririe
A sister in our district shared this poem at zone meeting that her
mom had sent her. I got a copy of it because it is Amazing - and I
thought I would share it with you. :)
AFTER ALL WE CAN DO
-by Elder Robbie Pierce, 2000
I'd been in that hole for a very long time -
In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.
The shaft was above me; I could see it quite clear,
But there's no way I ever could reach it from here.
Nor could I remember the world way up there,
So I lost all my hope and gave in to despair.
I knew nothing but darkness, the floors, and the walls,
When from off in the distance I heard someone call,
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter!
Take rocks and take sticks and build up a fine ladder."
This had never occurred to me, had not crossed my mind,
So I started to stack all the stones I could find.
When I ran out of stones, the old sticks were my goal,
For some way or another I'd get out of that hole.
So I soon had a ladder that was really quite tall,
And I thought, "I'll soon leave this place once and for
all!"
Then I climbed up my ladder, it was no easy chore -
For from lifting those boulders my shoulders were sore.
So I worked and I climbed and at last had to stop,
For my ladder stopped short - some ten feet from the top.
I climbed back down the ladder and felt all around,
But there were no more boulders nor sticks to be found.
I went back to my ladder and started to cry.
I'd done all I could do; I gave my best try.
But in spite of my work, in this hole I must die,
And all I could do was to sit and think, "Why?"
Was my ladder too short? Or my hole much too deep?
Then from way up on high came a voice: "Do not weep."
And then hope, love, and faith entered my chest,
As the voice said to me that I'd done my best.
He said, "Nothing's the matter. There's reason to hope.
Just climb up your ladder; I'll throw down my rope.
You have worked very hard, and your labor's been rough,
But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough."
I climbed up the ladder, then climbed up the cord.
When I stood at the top, there stood the Lord.
I've never been happier; my struggle was done.
I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son.
I fell to the ground; His feet did I kiss.
I cried, "What can I do to repay thee for this?"
He looked all around Him - there were holes in the ground.
They had people inside, and were seen all around.
There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark, and deep.
Then the Lord turned to me and He said, "Feed my sheep."
Then He went on His way to help other lost souls.
And I got right to work, calling down to the holes,
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter!
Take rocks and take sticks and build up a fine ladder!"
It now was my turn to spread the good word.
The most glorious message that man ever heard.
That there's One who is willing to save one and all,
And we've got to be ready when He gives the call.
He'll pull us all out of the hole that we're in,
And save all our souls from death and from sin.
So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope:
Just build up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope.
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