Dear Family,
The mission is great. The best decision I have ever made. Why? Great question. Well, I will tell you. I am learning so many great and useful things. For example:
I am learning that people all have a reason for why they act. Everyone’s behavior makes perfect sense to them. Even the 65 year old Hispanic that opens the door without a shirt and asked what we are selling. Even the couple walking their dog that replied “no, no, no!! Don’t come near us…” to our polite invitation to look at a car. Unfortunately, even the testigos who are very insistent that any doctrinal question can be settled through application of the bible alone. All the Catholics that have been convinced that we have no need to ask God about the book of Mormon, or even to learn more about another testament of Jesus Christ. Most believe that their relationship is enough and they don’t need any more or any less.
I am learning that I can’t blame anyone for their beliefs. Even in 1 Ne. 13:28-29 it explains “…because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is the Lamb of God – because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.” Unfortunately, it is not so much their fault that they have been convinced of the wrong traditions of their fathers. However, I have learned that there is always more! God always has more for us. We can always receive more knowledge, more light, more hope, more charity, more understanding, more revelation. Knowing that all things that lead men to serve God are from God, it makes me very sad that so many people do not understand what we offer them at the door. In our 30 second spiel, we are offering so much more than just a book and a lesson.
I am learning the importance of members and church attendance.
I am learning why it’s important to have a habit of exercising. (Because then one day when you get put in Chicago and fed greasy food, your metabolism starts slowing down and you can’t do anything about it.)
I am learning how important it is to always have the spirit.
I am learning that we need to have love and patience for everyone. If you’re struggling with those qualities just ask God for some humility and he will provide plenty of opportunities (caution: God always keeps his promises).
For example: yesterday. It was 8:45pm, really dark, pretty cold and hadn’t had a lot of success. We had stopped by a few PNI and were not sure where else to go. Begrudgingly, we knocked the neighbors door. Unbeknown to us, we were let to find Yolanda, Philipe, and Juan. Goes to show that God tires your patience and waits to the very last minute, before the miracle. I have a strong testimony of that too. Well, philipe, Yolanda, and juan… they are great. Really receptive to the spirit and all excepted baptism dates. A very humble family who can’t wait to come to church next Sunday. Aren’t we so lucky to have a Heavenly Father that blesses us, even when we are murmuring, ungrateful, and don’t deserve it.
Anyway, we have seen a lot of miracles this week… Alfredo is on date for the middle of March and has been to church a few weeks now.
I learned that sending a member with 3 children and Spanglish directions to pick up an investigator is not always the right choice. She got very lost (and a little angry… “I’m going to hang you from a tree” I believe were her words)… but 20 minutes into sacrament Pedro showed up! (She wasn’t really mad, thankfully). He had worked all night so he could get a couple hours off for Church! That shows a lot of faith! He is sacrificing a lot but really excited to be baptized.
Well, Hermana Trimble and I are doing great. Happy to be missionaries. There is always something new and exciting to learn here in Illinois… like, Mexicans believe lemones y lemones (lemons and limes) have the same taste and apparently are the same fruit. “La unica diferencia es que uno tiene mas liquido del otro, y un es verde.”
Love you all!! Thanks for everything you do!! Let me know what I can do for you!!
Con mucho amor!!
Hermana Johnson
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