Week #32 - Skittles and M&Ms

Hola Padres! 

Wasn't General Conference amazing?!? We had one investigator show up to the church. We had one watch from their computer. We have an investigator and recent convert all set up to watch it on their computer now. 

 

Wow that is super awesome that there were so many people there! No one really showed up to the church to watch and after our investigator left we went to watch conference with some members (It seemed more productive than sitting in the church with the elders..)

I really loved Elder Nelson's talk on increasing our faith. and President Uchtdorf's was completely fabulous (as always)

Wow, I wish I could meet Lee and Austin! They sound completely amazing! As for baptism of course the sisters need to follow the spirit in inviting for baptism, but that really is their purpose - to invite others to come unto Christ by sharing the Restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. 

I understand not wanting to push but knowing (having received that revelation that your investigator really is ready.)that this is your purpose and essential for their salvation.  This is kind of something that I have been struggling with myself for a long while. We have/had an investigator Rosa, and her daughter Yaireth, who have been taught everything and taught everything again, reads the book of mormon, comes to church every Sunday (we were at that point there is very little that you can continue to do as a missionary) We kept inviting and Rosa kept saying that there was something more she needed to know she wanted to be baptized but there was something more. (I believe everyone has some piece of knowledge that is going to hold their interest and really help them accept what they have learned.) For Rosa she received that piece of knowledge during 3rd hour when President Smith talked on patriarchal blessings. At that point she KNEW for herself that she was ready. We were inspired to go over and extend the invitation again and she has finally accepted. Rosa and her daughter are going to be baptized this coming Sunday! I can't tell you how excited I am that they are finally going to be taking those steps. What adds more to my joy is that she is going to come into the fold and she is going to stay in the fold! She is soooooo amazing and her daughter Yaireth is someday going to be the BEST Sister missionary EVER!  I thought baptisms are awesome but what I am really excited for is to see them and my other investigators go to the temple to be sealed together forever as families! 

So after that long story I guess the moral is that you love them, you encourage and support them, and you bear heartfelt testimony of the truth you know and the Lord will handle everything else. And I have full confidence that as Lee and Austin come to church and continue to align their lives with the gospel of Christ they will develop that conviction that they need (it may not be the perfect 2 week conversion like every missionary is dreaming of it may like Rosa take 71/2 months, it may like Brigham Young take 2 years) but as long as the sisters continue to teach in a loving manner, follow up and congratulate for the progress made and keep working and teaching through the baptismal interview questions everything will turn out according to God's will. 

Preach My Gospel is the coolest book in the world besides the Book of Mormon. I am excited to hear your insights from it. Chapter 1, 4, and 6 are my absolute favorites! Way to follow the counsel of Elder Ballard! I see what cha doin there!

Oh my goodness! Temples are so amazing! I am so grateful for all the work you are doing for our ancestors! Thank you for sharing that sweet experience with me! I can't tell you how excited I am to get into family history work when I get back! I have made it my life's goal to work on family history for at least an hour every Sunday when I get home! (pretty neat goal right?) I received that little piece of inspiration from General Conference.

Hahaha, I really like that object lesson that is so cool! I think it is really neat how the missionaries in Spokane use so many object lessons. We really don't use that many...or any... but I really want to try it sometime!

Missionary work is awesome! I absolutely love my new companion! She is a super duper people person and talker but she is so totally herself in missionary work and I really love that about her. I have learned a lot about vision, goals, confidence, and faith from her. 

I am so grateful for all of my many blessings and being able to serve the Lord. I can hardly believe how amazing He is, how beautiful the gospel is, and how many blessing we each receive daily. 

After general conference I have really realized how much I need to up my game and serve. I have been a missionary  but I want to be the missionary that God wants me to be. 

Wow, this has turned into quite a long e-mail. Oh and I wanted to say thank you for the dress! It is super cute with this stretchy red belt that I have acquired on the mish. Not to mention it is an awesome length. The sweaters are a little way to big though... I wasn't sure if you want me to return them or send them to you, or give them to someone here in Warren/Monticello.

I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week!

You are in my prayers and I am glad to hear how much you are supporting the missionaries. If I have learned nothing else from my mission it has been how to be a member missionary. Meals are nice, people to teach are 10 times better! 

We are going to have to have a block party sometime after I come home! That would be such a wonderful finding opportunity for the missionaries! 

Anywho,

Have a wonderful week!

I love ya!

Hermana Ives