exchanges (they were fine), Sister Cale gave a training in district
meeting on teaching people and not lessons (helpful hint-it all starts
with being yourself), comfort food was placed in Sister Cale's path in
the form of an apple pie caramel apple and vitamin water, the sisters
discovered the TRUE need for thermals (how about that negative
windchill eh?), there was art journaling with investigators, adorable
tiny humans, and the warmth of the gospel.
Hey Humans!
So I had forgotten that when you knock on people's doors when it's
cold outside that they are significantly less receptive than they are
when it's summer. With summer at it's extreme heat people tend to be a
little frustrated because it's letting the cool air out of their
houses, but that is nothing compared to the bewilderment and quick
dismissal of winter. I cannot count how many people asked us, "Why are
you outside right now?" I'm sure at some point someone will respond
well to the answer we give, "our message is that important" but it
hasn't happened just yet. I have rediscovered the need for gloves, a
hat, a scarf (and not just because it's cute).
An interesting phenomenon has been occurring. Contrary to the quick
dismissal of those who don't know us yet and don't want to let all the
heat out of their houses, less active members of the ward seem to
invite us in all the more readily in the winter. It's a nice change of
pace. I love the people in this ward. They all have such wonderful
stories and their life experiences truly are so unique. I'm grateful
for the kindness in their hearts and the fact that the cold spurs them
to let us stay in rather than send us away. I'm sure that God gives
blessings to people who let frozen missionaries inside their houses.
If I get desperate enough, I might try a new contacting technique,
"Can we please just come stand in your entryway and get warm for a few
minutes?" We'll see how it goes.
One of my favorite lessons this week was with Charles and his brother
and sister. We read Lehi's dream with them and had them illustrate it.
Nothing beats little kids making art. Nothing. I think the best part
of the lesson was the kids identifying ways that they could hold onto
the rod and make it to the Tree of Life. I liked Charles's answer the
best, "By being baptized!" Truly in order to begin moving towards
eternal life, we must repent and be baptized. I love that even though
he's only nine years old he understands that baptism is really
important.
My most missionary-y moment this week happened on Saturday. On our way
home to eat lunch I was fully determined to eat as fast as I could and
then take a nap. Not so! We picked up the mail before going inside and
I had a letter from Grandmother all about President Nelson's YSA
fireside that I had completely forgotten about. Sister Clark and I
then spent lunch reading President Nelson and Sister Nelson's
addresses and discussing them. And then of course I wanted to read my
Book of Mormon. I'm figuring that you could write a children's story
similar to "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" or "If You Give a Mouse a
Cookie". This story would be called, "If You Give a Sister Missionary
a New Talk." It would probably go something like this:
If you give a Sister Missionary a new talk to read, she'll want to sit
down and read it right away. If there is time to read the talk, she'll
probably want her blanket. The new talk will probably remind the
Sister Missionary of something that she has been studying in the Book
of Mormon and she'll think that she should go look for some more. When
the Sister Missionary finds something wonderful in the Book of Mormon,
she'll want to share it. She'll ask her companion to hurry and go to
the bathroom so they can get outside to knock on some doors and invite
people to understand the wonderful thing she just found..." And it
could just go on and on and on.
Really though, President Nelson's talk was exactly what I needed to
read. I've been (unfortunately/fortunately) been directed by the
spirit on a handful of occasions to consider what happens after Ohio.
And it's still pretty much a big question mark, but I felt like
President Nelson's talk at least helped to create the dimmest outline.
The Church is true, life is good, God's in charge, and Satan hates you!
Love,
Jessica
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