We helped a few people with their family history earlier this week. Family history is a wonderful service. By finding those family members who have not yet been baptized, we are helping them to also receive those blessings of baptism. I love helping everyone with their family history - it's an awesome missionary tool too! We hand out family history passalong cards and look for opportunities to share what we know about it.
We had a pretty awful experience at Gayle's this week. =( There was a big misunderstanding and he was all but ready to kick us out for good. It really crushed Sister Dodds and I.
He pulled out a page of quotations from the Bible that he had typed out himself, years and years ago, of verses out of context about sinners being damned, basically.That set a bad tone for the entire lesson. THEN he pulled out an article about the Abrahamic covenant he wanted us to read and we told him we couldn't, that while we are on our missions we can only read the scriptures and church materials. He got so offended at that and barely even talked to us the rest of the lesson. He just didn't understand!
On Thursday we made that first call to Gayle after the misunderstanding, and he was so mean. He was SO angry at Sister Dodds for telling him we couldn't read it [for following the rules!]. Then right after that soul crushing call, Reggie missed an appointment with us that a member had come out to go to too.
So we decided to do something nice for ourselves and go out to dinner at Chili's. We drove around for an hour and a half trying to find it, and eventually settled for Applebees. We were so frustrated at this point, and by the time we got there it was like 7:30.
As we walked in we were talking about how terrible our day was and feeling pretty down. We were crushed that Gayle was so mad at us for something so silly.
But Heavenly Father is so mindful of us! He knows exactly our situation. As we walked into the Applebees, a young man was walking out. He saw our tags and said "Oh! I love the Mormons! I went to Salt Lake one time and I love the culture!" We happily pulled out a pass along card as he had to run out. If we hadn't driven around for that hour and a half, we would not have been there for that five seconds where someone who was prepared was walking out of the diner. WOW! What a blessing and miracle!!!
And ON TOP OF THAT, our neighbor Sarah works at THAT Applebees. While we were waiting for food, Sister Dodds said "is that Sarah?" We gave Sarah a Book of Mormon six weeks ago and haven't seen her since. And she was there that night! We waved her over and said hi and asked how she was. It was awesome!!! We were so blessed by our Heavenly Father for trying to do our best and being obedient. =) He really does send us miracles!
On Friday we had to cancel our appointment with Gayle and he was pretty upset. He thought we were telling him goodbye forever. When I said "we'll see you tomorrow" all he said was "bye." I was about ready to cry. =( Sister Dodds and I were so upset and sad for an entire day, and so nervous leading up to seeing him the next day.
Saturday morning I was like "I'M CALLING HIM." I was DONE feeling sad about this RIDICULOUS situation. I called him up to confirm the appointment.
And he was willing to let us come. We brought Sister Mogk with us. The lesson didn't go as well as I would have liked, but the process of getting over that falling out will take time. We're hopeful that things will get better. Because we love Gayle and Shirley so much. They mean a lot to us. It would pain us so badly to say goodbye to our friends for good. =(
So it has been a hectic week, let me tell you! we have been tested and tried for obedience right and left and we have immediately seen the miracles and blessings that come from doing what is right no matter what.
On Saturday, right after that not-so-great lesson with Gayle, we went to see a less active, Brother Mason. His wife answered the door, and was so nice and told us to come back any time! (she happened to have poison oak at the moment, so right now is not a good time, but any other time!) I mean, wow! How awesome is it that we are running into these prepared people as we work hard and do our best to do what is right in the sight of God?
I am so grateful for the chance I have to be here and to work with my brothers and sisters and bring them closer to Christ.
I love you all!!! Have a wonderful week!!
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