So this week we had a great Zone Conference. We learned how to talk WITH everyone, not to or at them...very big difference. We have been told the most effective way still is to work through members, so keep up the work. But we did learn new and better ways to contact people.
Well, while sitting in the Zone Conference, a thought came to mind regarding our investigator, Cecilia (name changed for privacy). The thought was that we should have all the people in the ward that she feels very close to, or has respect for, write down their testimonies in a little journal and give it to her. That night, we went and talked to her, and she expressed that one of her concerns about joining the church is that she does not feel that she could fit in with the members. This just solidified that what I had received in Zone Conference was a prompting from our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost. So we are going to do that as soon as possible!
The great blessing we received this week came Friday night when we had a our second dinner appointment with Familien Birch. This was the first time we were actually able to have a lesson with the family because that last time we had an appointment, the youngest of the three children was picked up in an ambulance and taken to the hospital. This time we went thinking that we wanted to invite the 12 year old to be baptized.
After dinner we sat down with all the kids and started to talk to Juliet and her daughter, Eva (name changed for privacy) about Juliet's conversion story. She told us of the peace and comfort she received after hearing the lessons and ultimately getting baptized. The Spirit was so strong, and you could tell that everyone in the house could feel it. Then Juliet told Eva that is why she wanted to introduce her to the church, not to force her, but to let her find out for herself.
After that, we talked to Eva and asked her if she would like to be baptized. She answered, "Yes." But she said that she does not want to get baptized until she fully feels that she believes in everything. So we started to talk about the Restoration (to start somewhere). She kindly stopped us and recited the whole first vision, and the testimony of Joseph Smith. She then told us the story of the Book of Mormon. Elder Hansen and I were very shocked! She told us that she had read the whole introduction, the testimonies of the witnesses, and everything at the beginning of the Book of Mormon that most people don`t read. Then she said that she has started 1 Nephi.
After all that, we asked Eva what questions she had, and she just asked how she could know things are true. We told her, "By the Spirit." She was beaming and told us of an experience where she was learning about the Plan of Salvation in church. When the teacher was talking about it, she said she didn't know if it was true or not, but the more she thought about it she describes feeling "goosebumps," and now she knows it's true. We ended our lesson with her giving a very good prayer. Then I gave her a pamphlet and two scriptures.
On Sunday Eva and Ellie, her little sister (names changed for privacy), came to church. Eva read the scriptures and told me exactly what the chapters meant to her, and asked for more. So I gave her another pamphlet and more scriptures.
This is just proof that God really knows all, and that He places people in our way. It's not all about finding, because the people will end up in your hands if the Lord really needs them to come unto Him. This also tells me, and I bare testimony, of the importance of how the Lord places these people in our way. He is trusting us with them, and wants us to keep looking to Him and to keep following His impressions.
I am glad to hear that everything is going well. I know time is flying. I need to really start to focus. By the way, this is my last week with Elder Hansen. He will be going to Esbjerg on Jyland. My new companion will be with me here in Frederiksberg. His name is Elder Francis, and he is from Mapleton, Utah. Way cool kid. I am excited! He actually loves to lift and workout, so we will get along great. He also likes to wake up at 6 in the morning to work out, so maybe I will lose some kilos and get some muscle back!
Well, it's going great. I love you. Husk det Jeg Elsker Dig (Remember that I love you).
Med Kærlig Hilsen (with kind regards),
Ældste Madsen
Menace to Society?! ...Nah :) (September 16, 2013)
Thrust in Your Sickle and Reap (September 30, 2013)
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