Embracing the opportunities

October has come and our mission is flying by!!  Elder Whiting informs me we only have 7 months left.  Since we have been here in Lafayette, it has been so busy that the time just passes and we do not know where it goes.  Today is Curtis' birthday and Wendy and Jeff's anniversary!!  Just thinking about family.

Yesterday was a wonderful day for us as missionaries.  We were able to bring Hunter (14), Landon (12) and Rylin (10) to church with us.  Their mother is a less active member and had to work.  Their father was out of town, whom they usually spend their Sundays with; so we ask if the kids wanted to go to church.  The children were very excited at the prospect.  So four days later on Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. we picked them up and we all sat on the back chapel row. 

We called the Primary President and the deacons quorum advisor on Saturday night to inform them the kids were coming.  They both had boys their ages and were delighted to know about it.  It was such a wonderful experience for those kids.  Because we sat on the back row, many people had to walk past us to their seats, so we stopped them and introduced those boys to everyone!!!  They were all very kind and fussed over the kids. 

That the kids were there spread like a wildfire because so many kids their ages also made their way to meet them.  The kids have loved learning about the God.  We have not taught them the set missionary lessons yet, only the Old Testament and the new Testament, the 10 commandments, who God is, and played a game with them in learning the Plan of Salvation.  They have been very eager to learn.  When Sacrament meeting ended, We told them if they would sit tight for a minute, other kids their ages would come and take them to their other classes.  We had prepared them a little and told them what to expect.  Sure enough several kids came by and took each of them to their classes.  It was amazing to watch.

After all the meetings ended the kids found us and were so very excited about their experience.  Hunter had been invited to Mutual on Wednesday night and couldn't wait.  They were all so very bubbly about finding new friends and their great experience.  We were elated about it all.  One of their teachers told us that he was talking about the plan of salvation and he was amazed that the boys were answering his questions and explaining things!!!  Wow!!!  They did listen to us!

I took a rice krispy treat and gave it to them on the way home, I knew they would be hungry and they were delighted with that too.  We invited them also to the Chili Feed on Friday night and they were excited to be invited and definitely wanted to come.  It will be up to their Mom and what she wants to do.  When I spoke with her last night, she didn't know what her schedule would be, but said that she would like to come too!!!!  Wow, this is fun, to see what the Lord can do with people.  It makes us feel so happy that the Lord teaches us what the next step will be for each family!!!

As if we didn't have enough good things happen yesterday, after we took the boys home we went to a Ward Council meeting where they talked about missionary work and wanted to know all about the family.  We told them how we met them from the ward list and just explained where we were in teaching them.  It is still a very fragile situation.  They were very appreciative of us.  How kind they were to us.  Missionary work is so rewarding here. 

Last night we were suppose to have a family home evening with the Lewis family who is less active.  The Mom called and cancelled again because she was sick.  But I had a great conversation with her about the church and the potential they have as a family.  I listened a lot, but so did she.  The Spirit told her what she needed to do.  It was amazing.  Consequently we are going over an evening this week to teach just she and her two boys.  Her husband is dragging his feet a little.  But this is a start.  I invited them to the Chili Feed also and the Primary Program in two weeks.  I think their boys would enjoy that a lot.  We will just try to be steady and sure with them.  They are also very fragile and need lots of love!!

We have met with a lot of families and taken our small loaves of bread in to them.  It always gets us in the door and usually an invited to come back.  Yesterday I stopped someone in church that I didn't know and introduced myself and ask if we could come visit her.  So she invited us for Thanksgiving in November!!!  That was not my purpose, but I think this will be a great opportunity to know the family.  I think her husband is not a member.

We look everywhere for opportunities to serve others.  It is fun.  I am now giving piano lessons to a family of four from Brazil who is here going to school.  They are struggling and have very talented kids.  We have extra time, so we offered to give them free piano lessons and also teach her how to make bread with yeast.  They are a sweet couple and need help in practicing their English and learning about our culture.  Their two girls are very talented and smart about music.  They catch on quickly.

Tonight we are teaching Melody another new member lesson.  She is very sweet and eager.  Actually she teaches us a lot too.  It is a low pressure situation and we just try to love her.  She has a boy friend who lives in Colorado and he has done a great job in teaching her the Gospel.  It is because of him that she is a member.  Her biggest problem is that her job keeps her from attending church regularly.  After Melody we are going to an active member's home and giving a family home evening lesson.  I was somewhat worried about the lesson, but through the spirit I was given the inspiration that we need.

This week we are making pumpkin bars with a yellow cake mix for Institute.  With a little whipped cream it will be yummy!!!  We are becoming acquainted at the Institute and enjoying the friendship of the kids there.  It is amazing how many kids attend that ward.  It is packed.  Brother Isenbarger asked Elder Whiting if he would like to teach the institute classes on the couple of days that he will be gone at the end of the month.  He will enjoy that.

We have new missionaries here.  Two new sisters who just arrived in the field a week ago.  We also have a new zone companion and a new missionary who is also working in this ward.  They split our district so we are now down to eight missionaries.  Last week we had a testimony meeting.  I love those.  It is really neat to be able to share our testimonies together.  I have noticed also that as we carry our message about the Book of Mormon into the homes of the active people, that my testimony of the Book of Mormon has become more solid and I understand more.  I am grateful for that.

It is nice to come to the point that we are having more positive experiences than negative.  It doesn't feel very good when someone comes to the door and says, "don't come back!"  But we are being supported now by the positive things we are hearing and feeling.  Yay!!  Heavenly Father is so good to us.  I am so very thankful for Jesus Christ and his atonement and that I can be forgiven of my sins.  I am grateful for this opportunity to draw close to the spirit and feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost.