This past week was just a harder one for both my companion and I. It wasnt that we weren't working hard. Lot's of appointments didnt happen. It is okay. We work harder, be obedient and trust in the Lord and I know that we will have success! This success isn't for me, it is for God, the Lord and the Kingdom of God.
I met a kid this last week. He was about 25 years old. I met him while inviting at a mall. He was on his break, so I went and sat next to him and started to talk to him. He was telling me about how he wasnt interested at all about what I had to say. He told me how he only believed in himself and that was it. I told this kid,"God knows everything about you. He watches you everyday and loves you." As I said that I could tell that he went into a deep thought. I could tell that something inside of him was going on. As we talked more and more I told him about how we can communicate with Him whenever we want. He asked some great questions like, If I pray wont it just be a burden for Him? Will He really listen? and some others. I answered the questions that best I could. I didnt have a whole lot of time because of my next appointment but I had a inviting card that I wrote how we should pray. That was that. I had thought about this kid for a day or so. I found him the next day in just about the same spot. I talked to him just the same. I asked him if he had a chance to pray. He told me that he hadnt but that he still had the invited card. I explained about prayer more and the whys and hows. I asked him if he wanted to try it out. He said yes. I said pour out your soul to him. He prayed that everyone would have happiness. I thought it was a great prayer. I said one as well as an example. After my prayer he asked what time is church and what do I need to wear. I was shocked by his question. I told him what he needed to know. He didnt come to church on Sunday but what I know is true is that a little seed is planted in that kid. That seed will stay there until it is ready to grow. He may not be ready now but he will be in no time.
We met with some RC's this past week. I really wanted to talk about temples and family history work. As we talked about it some of the new members that we were teaching we shocked to to find out that they could go to the temple right now. I said yes you can go and do baptisms and confirmations. They were happy about this. I still think that they will wait for the temple to be built here though. I told them that they needed to prepare before they went, keep commandments, talk with the bishop, be worthy and so on. I told them about family history work and that they need to help their families have the opportunity to accept baptism and Jesus Christ. They said okay. I told them about my experience with my sister. My sister adopted a little girl. She was able to take her to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. My sister told me that she wished that I could be there with her. I told her that I couldnt because I was here in Thailand doing all I could so others could have an eternal family and be sealed for time and all eternity. Many of you have had the chance to go already. How many havent had the chance? I encourage you to help you family and friends learn about the temple and what they are capable of doing. I have such a special place in my heart for the temple. While I was in high school I was influenced by great friends. I had a friend ask me once, do you want to go to early morning seminary with me? I thought, why would I want to go, I already have my own class. I went with him and other friend. We learned a lot and enjoyed the time that we were there. After that class I looked to my friends and just suggested it would be funny if we went to the temple tomorrow morning. I thought they would have said no but I go the opposite. They said yes and we went. That very day we went sparked something in me, myself and my friends. From that day on we went to the temple as much as possible just about every week. I dont say this to brag at all but I say it because of what I felt when I went into the temple every time. I saw so many of my friends make sacrifices to go the temple Wednesdaymornings. I know they helped so many on the other side of the veil. I cant explain to you how much the temple influenced me to go on a mission. Go to the temple! It is where miracles happen!
I was calling people from my phone the other day when I called someone that I didn't know. I asked how he was doing and if he needed anything. He told me that he didn't live in that area anymore. I said hey if you need anything you are more than welcome to call me. He stopped me before I could hang up and said I need help. He explained to me how he is having a hard time right now. I explained to him that we can all start over as long as we repent and look to Christ. I told him a quote from this last conference," The church is like a big hospital. It is a place we go to, to get healed." something like that. I told him we are all not perfect and thats okay. We need to put forth the effort. I told him to start with the small things, read, pray and go to church and work up to the hard stuff. Sometimes people expect us to deal with the hard things right away, we can or we can make small baby steps to help us. I dont know this boy or anything about him. All I know is that I tried to do and say the things that Christ would say or do if He was here.
One day a week my companion and I will go play ball near a hospital. We started playing a few weeks ago and have made some new friends. I know that we need to get the word out about Christ and we have been thinking about how we can but do it differently. We thought, hey basketball! We are making small steps towards helping some of our new friends learn about the Word of God. It is different, something that we havent tried yet. We have tried many different things and none seemed to work. We didnt give up. The Lord gave us this chance to help others in a different way. If we/you think there isnt another way then you or I have given up. Keep trying! This is for all you missionaries out there, members included, do not give up! What haven't you tried yet? I know you can do it!
Every Saturday us missionaries will go and clean the church. In America we have members who are scheduled to do it, right? Well here it falls on our shoulders. We have members that come and help some times. I love cleaning it! I am so thankful for the rented building that we have to have to learn more about our Savior and partake of the sacrament. I know that cleaning isnt the greatest thing to do but I tell you it is worth it. You will sit in sacrament that next Sunday and think I helped clean this so that others can have spiritual experiences today! I challenge you to make an extra effort to clean your ward building! Go the extra mile and even look under the couch!! ;) Our investigator/new member got the Holy Ghost this last week! She was beaming with joy and happiness! She brought we 3 year old son with her too! He is so well behaved, so many comments about him. She is so happy and doing well! I am so happy for all that I have been able to teach while here on my mission! I know that I will teach many more and hope to teach many more.
More to do and learn!
Love Elder Hinckley
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| A night of pick up games to help spread the gospel. |
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