Week 10

10/3/16

Hello Everyone!!!

So Jeanie and John got blessings on Sunday and we really wanted them to be able to remember them so we actually recorded them and then on Tuesday Sis. Densley and I wrote down their blessings and printed them up for them. It was really great because they have been reading them a lot and it just witnesses to them everytime that Priesthood power is real!! 

Wednesday was Sis. Densley's birthday and she turned 21. We did service at the Bethlehem Inn that morning and we had a guy named Lyle approach us. He had talked to the Elders the day before and they had quickly told him what we believe in and he totally agreed!!! He is in our area so we get to take over teaching him! He came to General Conference Saturday morning and really loved it. Sadly we haven't had a chance to talk to him since then. Hopefully ha still wants to meet with us. We are going to check up on him this week. We went to Subway for lunch that day, as a treat for Sis. Densley. It was funny because we aren't supposed to go places in our service clothes, we are supposed to be in our dresses if we go shopping or anything like that. Sis. Densley and I didn't have our dresses with us after Bethlem Inn because we didn't know we would be going out. So we ended up borrowing the other Sisters' clothes. That worked out fine...until we remembered that we would need to borrow shoes too. Sister Bennet and Sister Ottesen both have size 7 1/2 feet. Sister Bennet had some boots that she bought that were too big for her, size 8. I am a size 10. I crammed my giant feet into her tiny boots so that we could get Subway! It was very painful, but it made for a good story haha. We got to go out for gelato with a member after that because it was her birthday too. I got pumkin spice in a waffle cone  It was heavenly! We both got really spoiled that day. Everyone seemed to think that it wouldn't be fair to give my companion gifts without giving me something..even Sis. Densley's mom sent me something! So I got spoiled this week and it wasn't even my birthday. That evening we were the lesson in Activity Days. Sis. Densley really loved that so she did most of. We gave them a senario where they had to make a choice and then we read them a quote from the Prophet or Apostles and had them make a choice. Then, based off of the choice they made, we would turn until we hit another crossroad. Eventually we led them to the room where they got to have dessert and a picture of Jesus. 

So on Thursday we had another lesson with John. It is just so amazing how well he is catching onto things and so after our lesson I invited him to be baptized! and he said 'Yes"!!!!! Even better, we put him on date for November 26!!!! I'm super excited for him! I really hope and pray that he continues to progress and understand the gospel. Another investigator who has been having really bad health issues her whole life told us that after her blessing she went to the doctor and things are looking much better and she has high hopes for the future!! We had dinner that night in a member's home and they were so great and invited our investigator David to dinner too. We had a great lesson with him afterwards and then they invited him over to watch Conference on Sunday! Best members ever!!! 

On Friday we had interviews with President and Sister Tateoka. That went really great! I love them so much. I know that they were called of God to serve in this mission. I know that they recieve revelation for us and for all that live in this mission. 

General Conference was hands down the best part of the whole week! Anyone who didn't get the chance to watch it should go back and watch. It was so great. Although it is not possible to really pick a favorite talk, I would have to say that Elder Oaks was my favorite talk. We had a lot of our investigators watch Conference with and without us so that was really great! I love how Elder Oaks gave some great advice on sharing the gospel! I am not going to directly quote him because I don't know how accurate my notes are but I love how he gave a list of seven things we can use to improve in sharing the gospel. 

1. People learn when they are ready to learn (so just keep giving them the option)

2. Invite them to learn more about the gospel, not the church.

3. Be authentic and relate to the person 

4. Don't limit to groups of friends

5. Special Sacrament meetings for members to invite nonmembers (talks prepared specifically to help the nonmembers better understand)

6. Remember the many opportunities to share the gospel

7. Use social media

"Go to it youth."

I also really loved Peter F. Meurs' talk on preparing for the Sacrament

1. Prepare in advance; contemplate spiritual progress

2. Arrive early; listen to prelude music, it is not a time to talk

3. Sing and learn from Sacrament hymns

4. Spiritually participate in Sacrament prayers; consider the commitments you are making

5. Ponder and remember Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for you as the embelms of the Sacrament are being past.

I'm sorry if none of that made sense. I am going off of my notes and those were the parts that made the most sense haha. I hope you all had the chance to watch Conference. I know that the men and women who lead and guide this church really are called of God and I know that we can't make it back to our Heavenly Father without following their guidance. I know this is Jesus Christ's church restored to the earth. He leads and guides it through Thomas S. Monson. I'm so very grateful for the chance I have to be His missionary, that I get to share the good news of His Atonement and His church restored to the earth. 

I love you all! 

Love,

Sister MacKay