tryin on silver and diamonds
Man, this week went on for days. And yet, Preparation Day snuck up on me, I feel like it was just Monday. We did a lot of stuff I guess. Got lost in the work, as they say.
Tuesday was super different, cause we got permission to go to the career workshop at the LDS employment center so Sister Schulthies can get a job when she goes home in a week (p.s. transfers are next Tuesday, if I end up training I'm gonna scream I'm so terrified). Two realizations. First, while going over how to pursue employment and follow up and present yourself to potential employers, I discovered that nearly everything in the career workbook is actually in Preach My Gospel. Because principles for finding people to teach and presenting yourself as a representative of Jesus Christ are evidently the same. Next, while talking about all our skills and accomplishments, the way we would to a potential employer, I discovered that I've done a lot more in my twenty-three years than I thought, despite being sheltered and never having to work for other than myself or my bro. Also, learned that it takes a lot of impressive skills to do what I've done up to this point. We all did this exercise, list the attributes and skills required to graduate from college, be a missionary, manage that one place, other accomplishments we'd listed. Then read em aloud: I am diligent, creative, motivated, a team player, positive, a problem-solver, etc. Makes you sound a lot better than you probably see yourself. Oh, and I got it into my head during this workshop that I want to own my own photo studio. One day. We'll see.
best idea yet: fruit cubes city hall Sister P's blinged out CTR ring
Cool thing though. There was this less active sister in Waveland, that Sister Rocha and I ran into at walmart on two different occasions. She was only less active because her casino job make her work every single Sunday. The second time we saw her, Sister Rocha handed her the info on the LDS Employment center and told her to call them if she ever decided to quit her job and needed help finding a new one. Then I left Waveland. Guess who was at the workshop? That sister! The casino had been bought out and her position dissolved, so she no longer had a job. And could now get a better one that would let her go to church! Prayers are answered and blessings arrive in a variety of ways. Sometimes via unforeseen unemployment.
Hey did ya'll know the scriptures talk about and therefore verify the existence of sea monsters? At least in the Jaredite era?
10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water. [Ether 6]
In other words, I now have historical grounds for believing in Nessie and the Cracken.
We had the coolest finding experience this week. We tracted a street, pleasant fall weather, cold comin in and perfect for breakin out the scarfs and cardigans, and had finished one, completed our hour, and were ready to head back, but then I stopped us and said "That house we skipped. Should we go knock it now, or come back another day?" Sister S confirmed my prompting: "Let's do it now." So we go back to the house we had skipped because we'd seen people out front engaged in conversation and didn't want to interrupt. Now that one of them had left (the spouse that prob wouldn't have cared to let us in) we went back and the mom came to the door, who I think was probably a swimsuit model once, she was so pretty. But so down to earth. And she looked familiar to both of us, though neither of us have met her (though I hate when I get that thought about someone and then they don't progress). In any case, she seemed intrigued by our 20 second explanation of apostasy-->restoration and said "I think my son would be interested in this" as she herself was believing but not religious. So we speak with the 16 year old who looks like a total care-about-nothing-but-sports it-guy, could be on a magazine if he wanted, but turns out he recently started going to the local christian teen fellowship and reading the Bible every night even though no one else in his household does. Talk about judging by cover. They let us into their nice house, they were the only two home, and we taught them the restoration. The mom loved the story of Joseph Smith on his search, because his story is basically her son's story. Parents didn't agree on religion, confused about where to go, attended churches by himself looking for answers... When we told them about the Book of Mormon, and said no, you don't have to buy it we'll give it to you free, the boy lit up and immediately reached for it. It just... I don't know. It was awesome. It was perfect. They didn't set a specific return appt. because they don't know when they'll be home and I'm terrified we'll never see them again. But such is mission life. You do what you can when you can. And pray that they don't become lost forever.
We got three on date now! We had a killer lesson with Lonnie at the storehouse with a brother from the ward, the one that embraced him that first time at church. Went through the whole plan of salvation and hopefully the poor guy could keep up. But he committed to a baptism date! December 6. And then he came to church again! Brought his two grandkids too. Took himself to Sunday school and then to priesthood with no guidance from us, like he already belongs! Love that guy. The C family is on track, we watched a super cheesy 90's video clip about priesthood power and the investigating wife's husband met with bishop about being ordained a priest so he can baptize her. He's just gotta kick a coffee habit and he's good to go. And he's the kind who that wouldn't even be a problem for, he knows how important this is. K-dog is still stoked for his baptism this Saturday. He asked his good friend who happens to be a member of the stake presidency to baptize him - and who told us that years ago when K-dog would occasionally come to church with his mom, that he showed him the baptismal font once and said "I'm gonna get you in there one day." Dreams do come true.
We had a really tender lesson with a fourteen year old girl yesterday, who had been to other churches a few times and believes the story of Jesus really happened. What she doesn't know is why. She was asking really deep questions, like "How is God our Father? Why did they kill Him? Why did He let them kill Him? Who did He die for? Have you ever loved someone enough to die for them? Have you ever prayed and it came true?" We explained pre-earth, God is the father of our spirits, which appeared to enlighten her. She said "Oh, so I have two fathers. But one of them is forever" and smiled. Melted my heart. Then we explained the Godhead, how they are three separate beings, one in purpose, and how Jesus came to die for us, so we could live again and live with God, like paying a bail when we imprisoned ourselves in sin. We literally only talked about Jesus Christ for like half an hour. It was awesome. It's crazy for someone like me to try and imagine what it would be like for someone like her, to have grown up not understanding who Jesus was or what He did or how much He truly loves us. I hope she continues to learn and eventually feels for herself what that is like. It'll change her life.
7 For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world.
8 But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.
9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith. [Ether 12]
Faith on. Hope on.
Sincerely,
Sister Valdez
1. NASA science center! rocket engine thing!
2. "...which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor for the soul"
3. Baseball wit da zone
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