Area: Valley Hi/Heritage
Companion: Sister Sara Risenmay
Companion: Sister Sara Risenmay
There is nothing better than knowing that our efforts are bringing
others closer to Christ. We never know what kind of difference we're
making in the lives of those around us. As we truly live the gospel, we
let the light of Christ shine. Sometimes we touch people in ways we
would never expect.
For example, earlier this week Sister Risenmay and I had just finished weekly planning. It was about 3:00 when we were leaving our apartment. We were putting the bike rack on our car and loading up our bikes, when a gentleman drove up and asked, "Where are you going with those bikes?" We were taken aback at first. For a moment I thought he might have been a member by the way he talked to us, but I could see that he wasn't. He wanted to know if we knew some biking routes because he and his wife had just gotten bikes. He proceeded to tell us that every morning when he goes to work he sees us after we work out in the gym. He then started asking us a lot of questions about what we do as missionaries. We were able to share more about the Book of Mormon with him as well as why we became missionaries. It's really neat to think that even at 7 in the morning, when we're all sweaty in our work out clothes, people notice. The message we send is not necessarily in the words we speak. It's more about who we really are. Our actions speak louder than words.
President and Sister Slaughter have a member friend who's a doctor. Sister Slaughter was telling us a story about how one of his coworkers who is not a member noticed some sister missionaries outside pushing their bikes in the rain. This woman was deeply touched by their devotion. Those sister missionaries probably had no idea that someone was watching them. But this woman was so moved, that she took a picture and sent it to the doctor who is a member, who then sent it to Sister Slaughter. Sister Slaughter talked to us about how we are missionaries wherever we're at.
Are we holding up the light of Christ? We covenanted with God at baptism that we would "stand as witnesses of him at all times, in all things, and in all places we are in." (Mosiah 18:9) Are we keeping that covenant? Even when we're stuck in the rain, or hot and sweaty in our workout clothes. When we are singing in the car, or buying groceries at the grocery store. Or in the privacy of our home. What about when the hearts of those who were once faithful fail them? Will we also falter? I can say with all of my heart that I never will. I love the Lord, and sustain his prophets. My heart will never fail me, because it belongs to the Savior.
For example, earlier this week Sister Risenmay and I had just finished weekly planning. It was about 3:00 when we were leaving our apartment. We were putting the bike rack on our car and loading up our bikes, when a gentleman drove up and asked, "Where are you going with those bikes?" We were taken aback at first. For a moment I thought he might have been a member by the way he talked to us, but I could see that he wasn't. He wanted to know if we knew some biking routes because he and his wife had just gotten bikes. He proceeded to tell us that every morning when he goes to work he sees us after we work out in the gym. He then started asking us a lot of questions about what we do as missionaries. We were able to share more about the Book of Mormon with him as well as why we became missionaries. It's really neat to think that even at 7 in the morning, when we're all sweaty in our work out clothes, people notice. The message we send is not necessarily in the words we speak. It's more about who we really are. Our actions speak louder than words.
President and Sister Slaughter have a member friend who's a doctor. Sister Slaughter was telling us a story about how one of his coworkers who is not a member noticed some sister missionaries outside pushing their bikes in the rain. This woman was deeply touched by their devotion. Those sister missionaries probably had no idea that someone was watching them. But this woman was so moved, that she took a picture and sent it to the doctor who is a member, who then sent it to Sister Slaughter. Sister Slaughter talked to us about how we are missionaries wherever we're at.
Are we holding up the light of Christ? We covenanted with God at baptism that we would "stand as witnesses of him at all times, in all things, and in all places we are in." (Mosiah 18:9) Are we keeping that covenant? Even when we're stuck in the rain, or hot and sweaty in our workout clothes. When we are singing in the car, or buying groceries at the grocery store. Or in the privacy of our home. What about when the hearts of those who were once faithful fail them? Will we also falter? I can say with all of my heart that I never will. I love the Lord, and sustain his prophets. My heart will never fail me, because it belongs to the Savior.
Lately we've had the opportunity to interact with a deaf man. He has been coming to the church for the past several weeks. We are not able to communicate very well with him. Even those who know sign language struggle because he seems to have a different dialect of ASL. After multiple attempts of trying to help him with little success, we finally decided that there isn't a whole lot we can do for him other than invite him in. Last Sunday one of the wards had a primary program, and he came again. We had been sitting in sacrament meeting for a while and the primary program had already started, when a member pulled us aside and said that there was a deaf man who wanted to talk to us. We went out, and simply beckoned him to come in and join us. The moment he came in, the primary was singing a song that they had learned sign language for. He sat forward and watched intently. It was such a tender mercy for him to be able to understand what they were saying the moment he walked in. Talk about inspiration! I am so grateful for that wonderful primary chorister who was inspired to teach the children sign language. She had no idea that there was a very lonely man there that day who would possibly only understand what those children sang/signed. To me, and to him, that was the most powerful sermon of the entire meeting. God knows his children, and he feeds the one.
There are so many things
to be grateful for. I am grateful for the eyes to see the miracles that
surround us. I'm grateful to be a part of the greatest work on Earth
and in Heaven. That is, to gather Israel. I know who I am. I love my
family.
I am grateful for you all!
Sincerely,
Sister RecordPictures
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