Kära bröder och systrar,
Wow we have had an absolutely amazing week. I
have been filled with SO MUCH JOY. I honestly have a hard time
explaining it. S.J. is such a blessing. We just have so much FUN in
doing the work together. And we are both happy, outgoing people, so the
ward responds really well to us together. Everyone comments on how they
can see that we are just so happy and that we are spreading that joy. I
have been so unaware of days passing by, as we are so focused on the
work and the members that I don't have time to realize time flying by. I
can't believe it's already another Monday. Anyway S.J. is the
bomb. She is down to earth and yet on a level that is higher then the
average joe. She bore her testimony and it was just full of fire. I was
totally moved the whole meeting. There was a boy who wanted to bear his
testimony and they closed the meeting right before he could get up. I
was so moved and hurt because I knew his heart was probably beating so
hard and just burning. I was able to speak to him and I think both me
and him felt much better. I couldn't even get through the last song
without crying. I feel like the spirit just runs us right now. We just
try to hang on for the ride. We role played in district meeting and it
was E.Kinnunen and I and we tried to help this boy understand the spirit
and how it helps us to do good. There was a scripture I just couldn't
remember and on Sunday a woman reminded me of it... I'm so thankful for
the spirit in this work. Without it nothing would happen. Well we end up
going to Handens sacrament too because of circumstances and guess who
sits down next to me?? The boy we roly played!! The scripture is Ether
4:11 it totally sums up how the spirit works with us. It is my favorite
right now so I will do my best not to forget where it is this time haha.
We just started meeting with a members daughter who has been through a
ton already in her short life of 15 years. Her name is Love and probably
has the prettiest smile I've ever seen. We send her a scripture everyday
and dad came to church so so happy. He told us to just keep doing what
we're doing he knows she will come eventually. Well lets see how many
miracles or at least some big faith building ones.
Miracle 1:
We taught our member referral (18 years old) with her member friend and
it went AMAZING! The Spirit was so strong. And she said she wanted to
come to church and we also set up another lesson! She ended up calling
her friend afterward right before church and said that she didn't feel
comfortable coming to church cuz she was afraid of commitment so fast,
so she ended up not coming, but that's okay! It takes time. S.J. during
the teach bore strong testimony of the BOM and it totally hit me. THE
BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE! I started to tear up, and I could feel that the
investigator and member felt it equally as powerful. This girl was absolutely amazing though. She took 3 pages of notes while we talked!!!
AGH amazing!
Miracle 2:
Liisa.
She was an investigator that we had found and taught with Syster
Newell. She lives right by the temple and always goes on walks with her
dog so we see her often. We saw her and started talking to her and then a
bunch of members came up and started talking to us (Norrland has their
temple week this week) and they were going to buy some candy at the
store nearby. They were super sweet, happy, and friendly and made Liisa
feel super special. Then a member lady came from the store and excitedly
told us that all the candy was on sale! And she started talking to
Liisa and turns out they are both from Finland! And they are like the
same person (same age, same height, same demeanor) and became instant
friends. She bore her testimony to Liisa in Finnish and then Liisa all
of a sudden said, "you know, I gave the Sisters the Book of Mormon back
to them that they gave me, and I've regretted that every day since". And
we told her that we have it saved to give back to her!! So we promised
her we would meet the next day to give it back to her. And in the
meantime all those kids came back from the store and had bought S.J. and
I some candy even though they had just met us minutes before! And then
like 10 different members walked by with huge smiles on their faces and
they all said hi. It was unreal. It was like the Celestial Kingdom. And I
think Liisa was just enveloped in this love. So we said goodbye and as
we were about to bike away I looked up at the temple and saw people
coming out with huge smiles and waving to people. The sky was gorgeous,
everyone was happy, and the Spirit was there. I started crying and said,
"this is what the Celestial Kingdom is going to be like." It was such
an amazing feeling. So the next day we gave Liisa the Book of Mormon and
said we would be seeing each other on her walks again. Then Sunday we
get a phone call from the Finnish member who had befriended Liisa and
said, "I'm sitting here outside the church with Liisa. She said she
wanted to come to Sacrament meeting today!" And we were blown away!
Turns out someone had told them that church was at 9 instead of 10 and
Liisa couldn't wait until 10, but she said she would come next week! It
is so amazing how members make miracles happen!
Miracle 3:
Members
bringing investigators to church. We had 2 members bring friends to
church. One of them started crying during the lesson and received a
testimony right there on the spot. Things will need to be taken slow,
but he knows the church is true without a doubt. The second friend
absolutely loved our lesson and couldn't stop talking about church
afterward with her friend. She was telling her how she wished they
could've stayed longer and that she was so excited to have the sister
missionaries come visit her. Turns out neither of them live in our area
(one in Örebro where Syster Francis is, and the other in Häggersten),
but we love giving referrals to other areas!
Miracle 4:
Lawrence.
We were about to go home, but decided to contact one last guy. He's
from Uganda, a super sweet guy, and actually had been going through a
really tough time. We were talking and accidentally all missed the
train! So we decided to go to the church to teach him. We walked by the
temple and explained to him that he has a chance to go there and told
him how. And then we went in the church and sat in the chapel and had a
beautiful lesson. And then he accepted a baptismal date right there on
the spot!! We didn't have an English Book of Mormon with us, so he said,
"If you promise me that you can get me an English Book of Mormon by
tomorrow, then I can find out if this church is true by August 25th
(baptismal date)". It was so amazing. Turns out he also lives out of our
area (Jakobsberg), but again, we love giving referrals to other areas!!
Needless to say, you can probably feel my energy and excitement for this
work. I know this church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon has
power to change hearts beyond anything we can do. Never underuse the
Book of Mormon! And don't forget to read every day. Preferrably 30
minutes at least. I bore my testimony in sacrament meeting yesterday
about the power of the Book of Mormon and how it has blessed my family
so much. I know that it has! I'm so grateful for all of you!!
You all are so amazing! Thank you for your love and support! Know that I'm praying for you
Love Syster Sprague
No comments:
Post a Comment