Well hello gorgeous!
This past week has been pretty crazy with so many ups and downs! I can't
even say it enough, Heavenly Father is SO good to me. He truly is:]
We helped Rori VanHook clean out her kitchen and as we were leaving she
said hey I hope you two know that I'm not just expecting you to clean my
house and that's it.. WE'RE gonna start teaching her this next week and I'm pretty excited especially to get her inactive husband involved as
well. Things seem to just be rolling right along.
As we were walking to
check our mail that day there was a lady parked outside so I started
talking to her about the church, I pulled out the Book of Mormon and was
telling her all about it and out of nowhere this young guy comes
walking up to me, cuts in front of the woman, is right up close to my
face and says, "What do you think you know about God and Jesus Christ?" I
just smiled at him, took a step back and explained to Him that God loves
each of us and that through Jesus Christ we can return to Him. He...
simply just walked away. Haha I have no idea what happened or what will
come of that but I just thought it was really interesting. Right when
you're about to do something good that is going to benefit others there
always seems to be a curve ball thrown your way.
We
had an AWESOME first lesson with our friend Jose from Walgreens. He
just seemed to soak it all up so we're hopeful for him and seeing him
progress. We also met with Karen again.. she is struggling to come to
church and it has been pretty frustrating. When we went over there we
kept bringing up the importance of attending church. I told her that it
was like she's doing all the work and practice (reading and praying) and
then she never shows up for the big game. She started opening up to us
and told us that every Sunday she has this inner battle with going to
church or spending time with her husband. She said it's hard to tell
someone you love and that has always been number one in your life that
suddenly God needs to be number one. She started crying and called us
"Bullies with Badges." Hahaha I quite enjoy that. I shared my testimony
that when we are having to choose between something or someone that we
REALLY do love and what the Lord is asking us to do, that He does
provide comfort and blessings that outweigh the sacrifices we make.
I've
started the Book of Mormon over... again... and this time I really
noticed how Nephi no matter what the circumstances never complained.
Lehi did, Sariah did, and we all know about his brothers and yet Nephi
never complained. He was diligent and kept doing what the Lord asked.
I'm trying to apply that to myself. The first time I actually felt the
scriptures were answering me was in High School. I wasn't accepted to
the U's ballet program and I felt SO down on myself I came across Alma
26:27, bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you
success. That verse brought me comfort then, it still brings me comfort
now. Am I really bearing with patience? The promises given in the Book
of Mormon are promises that still apply to us today:]
The
bishop's wife had some exciting news for us too. She told us that she
had been fasting for missionary work and prayed asking Heavenly Father
who she should talk to about sharing the gospel. Well, He answered, she
has a FAMILY for us to teach and they are really excited about the
gospel. Haha ya wanna know the funny part.. they are going on vacation..
and they won't be back till March 22.. aka the last day of the
transfer. How in the world did I get so lucky?? But, it's all good:] I
am just so grateful for the experiences that she is going to have
because of her desire to take on our challenge.
We
had Stake Conference this past week and it was all focused on Hastening
the Work. It's been really exciting to see our members really take it
on and talk to their neighbors and friends. A lot of them have come up
and said hey will you pray for la la la I'm gonna talk to them this week
about the gospel. AH! they are starting to get it:] It's only taken 5
months. But hey, here's to whatever lies ahead. I truly am so so
grateful to be serving right now. I've never been more reliant on the
Lord. I love Him and everyday I'm trying to be better. I love you all
and miss you ALL the days:]
Love, Sister Bowden
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