January 6, 2014

Hey family!

 

It's been a great week! To answer your question Mom, yes I am freezing :) We're supposed to have negative temperatures the next couple days. Luckily President has told us that we don't have to be outside proselyting when the weather is that severe, so I think I will survive! Happy New Year everyone! Crazy to think that this year I will be going home...now I'll put that thought right out of my mind.

 

Unfortunately we weren't able to meet with any of our investigators this week, but we saw some great progress with less-actives. We have started teaching a less-active guy named Zenas, and we will hopefully begin teaching his wife who is not a member. They are a younger couple with a two-year-old, he's from Taiwan and she's from China. Zenas works as a chemist for a company called Never Wet. Maybe you've heard of it? I guess their videos on you tube have gone viral. His wife has met with missionaries before, but it seems that we'll need to start with the basics with her since she does not have a Christian background. Similar to my experience teaching Alexis. I think solidifying her belief in God will be our main focus. I will keep you updated on their progress! They are the cutest family.

 

We also had a great lesson with a sister who has been less-active for many years. Her and her children were baptized a long time ago, but they have all since gone inactive. Sister Ryan has a desire to come to church, but she worries that her activity in church will push her family away. Her relationships with her children are already struggling, and they seem to resent her for living high moral standards. We spent a lot of our lesson testifying that Heavenly Father always keeps His promises. When we are obedient, we receive blessings, it's as simple as that. We don't need to worry about what those blessings will be or when they will be received, because Heavenly Father will always give us what we need, when we need it. Of course, we will always have our agency, and sometimes people we love will make choices that hurt us; however, in the end what matters is the integrity we show to the truth that we have. Sister Ryan knows that she needs to come to church, now she just needs to take that leap of faith and trust that in the end, her obedience will be to the benefit of her and her family. That was the message we tried to get across, and I do think we were successful. I really do feel for this woman. She has experienced some hard things. I pray that we will continue to see progress with her as I know the gospel will provide the healing that she needs!

 

I am grateful to be a missionary. I can't say it enough! Love you guys!

 

Love,

 

Sister Denney