Sorry for the delay,
yesterday
was the Danish holiday of 2nd Pentecostal day. We only had one computer and our
system wasn't working. Not much time
today. I'm going into physical therapy for my knee. So real
quickly I want to relay an awesome experience!
What an amazing week!!!!! We had an awesome lesson with a couple that
we've been working with!!! It was pretty much the 'do or die' lesson. Been
really hard to meet with them recently and there hasn't been much interest in
the past for progression. And we both figured that we needed to talk with them
about coming church and see what their hold up was, mainly because I'm their
last long lasting relationship that they have until the Skive elders take over
next transfer. We both knew, since zone training that now was the time to invite
them to church and help them with their concerns. Especially after doing the
roll plays in Zone training.
It was pretty straight forward. We first expressed and affirmed them
that we loved them and that we were servants of the Lord and the message that we
had for them is to be a blessing in their lives if they apply what they learn.
Elder Durrant began speaking about CPR. Church, Prayer, and Reading. We've
already talked about prayer and reading many times and there was no more need of
that. They agreed 'But we want to talk about Church, now we have to ask, I've
been here for 6 months now, ''Why don't you come to church''?' The less active
member began expressing that it was a financial problem, that he didn't have
nice clothes, and that he wanted to start getting in the habit of reading,
praying and getting a stronger testimony before coming back. His girlfriend/
investigator also expressed that she wanted to get in the same habit of reading
and praying because the Church just seemed fuzzy to her still. She wanted a more
for sure answer.
So we began with explaining the why of coming to church. It was
completely evident from the boyfriends face that he knew what was coming. I've
seen this look before from him and it was a look of not interested in coming.
I'm not going to lie, I was beginning to doubt in what we had planned. I've
always been nervous of giving this lesson, but my fears were dashed away as we
starting teaching and testifying! But it was interesting to see the giant
''brick wall'' that the boyfriend had built up, slowly begin to crumble. He
began to be more interested and open. We started by talking about the baptismal
covenant and read Moroni 4 and broke it down for them. Explaining that it was so
essential as members of the church to get this weekly. Emphasizing that when we
come the Lord promises, when we remember and obey, that we will ALWAYS have his
Spirit to be with us. Explaining that we come to get a weekly boost of spiritual
growth as we partake and enjoy the sacrament and the meetings. At the end we
gave them three promises 1) if you don't have clothes than we will buy some for
you 2) If you continue in the pattern of what you are doing, reading and praying
for a time and than not. And repeat. Than you will never progress farther that
what you've accomplished now. There will always be fuzziness as long as you keep
doing this pattern. 3)Now if you start making a weekly effort of coming to
church than that fuzziness will vanish and you will have a more clear
understanding of spiritual growth. If you walk into the church and talk with the
branch president and explain that you want to come back and get a stronger
testimony, than he will be able to help you. We are willing to help you anyway
possible. Now we have to ask ''Will you please come to church and renew, and
start making, covenants with God to get that testimony and spiritual growth?''
They responded yes!!!! Truly the feeling of preaching and testifying with power
and authority was evident in that room! We were bold, loving and teaching
simply. The Spirit confirmed what we were saying and testified of what promises
He was making to them.
The branch was just over joyed to see them!!!! The less actives
mom, drove them. They brought their son, 1 1/2 years old, and the branch just
started rejoicing that they had a family with a baby in church. (because the
youngest active member in the branch, besides the missionaries, is about 60
years old) Words cannot describe the joy that was in that church building. And
they had a great time and look forward to next week! It is just amazing to see
this family come back to church. It actually filled the church up a little bit
haha.
This has been the ultimate highlight of the week for me!!! Such a
powerful moment and if they keep it up they,they boyfriend will be reactivated
in the following weeks! Hope everyone enjoyed the story. Have a great
week!
MVH,
Ældste Jantzen Read
