I come home on May 7th. We think. The just announced that the April 1st, 2013 transfer would be moved up a week to the 25th of March, and that all the transfers after that point would be affected.
Kinda weird.
This week we had an incredible lesson, and some MAHOR miracles.
Mostly, The Visitors' Center is pretty low-key. Missionaries that come in with their investigators, to be shown around, doesn't phase me anymore, since I went out to Rainier and realized Elders are just like everyone else. Sometimes weirder, sometimes alright-er. So, losing my cool (read: GETTING SO NERVOUS I DIE) is not as common anymore. Until, Sister Johnston decided to put us on the program for the musical things happening every night from 7-7:30pm. I play the piano. No big deal. really though, I'm much better about performing in front of people. Until...it comes to singing. A solo. We spent an amount of time putting together the program, so we could bring the Spirit. We wanted Scriptures read, and a flowing musical presentation. Starting off with "Breath of Heaven", by Amy Grant. I sang it.
That's not the miracle.
Because I'm the only (read:only one willing to play in front of an audience), one who will play the piano, who would play for me? {I was playing the entire rest of the program. [Which God helped A LOT out with, by the way.]}
Oh, I called EVERYONE. In both Lake Oswego and Lakeridge wards. Sister Baker and I are so new, I had to ask around, first of all, who could play, and then whom among them wasn't busy with the WARD CHRISTMAS party!? going on simultaneously... No one could do it. I was going to have to ask a lady, who was already conducting the Primary children in their Nativity Song. This aspect of the story is to illustrate that I am just frazzled, still! Thinking about it.
We had an Elder Clayton who wanted to sing with us in our program, and had asked a member of his ward to accompany him. I'm so grateful she was there, because, on the verge of pulling a Justin Bieber, and play/singing --That would've driven away the SPirit, SO FAST, i'm sure-- she stands and says," I can play that; I know that song."
If I could've comprehended anything, I would've probably burst into tears. Instead, i sang, and the play moved on.
I know that doesn't seem to mean much to any of you, but it was one of the most incredible tender mercies I've received. I'm sure there are more than I can count, but I am especially grateful for that one. The whole experience of playing/singing for 67 times (11) during that particular 48 hour time period, helped me realize a lot of things, and one of them is, I am not a show-man, but more importantly, the things that are important to me, are also important to my Father in Heaven.
We had the best lesson with this new family we're teaching. They're going to follow the example of the Saviour, join the Church, and have an eternal family, and it's going to be great! The man, his wife and his three living children came over to their friends' house, in our ward. They have known each other a long time, but just recently, their son passed away, and they needed more of a connection with God in their lives. The lesson was not ideal, but that was just according to the way Iiii thought it should go.
Luckily, I'm not in charge.
You know those weeks when sometimes you hope something really incredible will happen soon, because Satan is doing his hardest to make your job awful, so it's almost a heads-up? But not a very reassuring heads-up.
Luckily, Sister Baker and I work really hard and are N*SyNC about being exactly obedient. And when I feel really guilty, or think we need to do something differently, to keep the Spirit, Sister Baker always goes with me on it. She's a sweet soul. But a Little feisty ;) We both thought, separately, "This is what it's going to be like when members have to teach the lessons."
It was a great week. Really tiring. Like Finals week, but A great week. We had 6 investigators at church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and it was the family, plus this man hopefully getting baptized on the 29th, plus this other man we're working with. THEY'RE ALL SO GREAT!
did I mention, a lady we helped pack up, came to the ward Christmas party, and then the Visitors' Center Performance, and then stayed a long while after? It was superb.
As was the Conversion fireside we had yesterday. God reallly is in control and sends the Holy Ghost to bring us peace.
man, it's great. What a treat. :D
Hope y'all have a great week!
Remember
10 And behold, he shall be
aborn of Mary, at
bJerusalem which is the
cland of our forefathers, she being a
dvirgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and
econceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and
aafflictions and
btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will
ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him
adeath, that he may
bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to
csuccorhis people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit
aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the
bflesh that he might
ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
14 Now I say unto you that ye must
arepent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.
15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth
abeset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.
16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will
aremember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.
<3, Sister Bothwell
