(S. Mat was sick on Monday and we had zone conference yesterday, so that's why it's Wednesday that I'm writing.)
Well, we survived the storm! And we actually got a lot less than was forecasted. Silly weatherman, he can't seem to get much right. We got about 4-5 inches of ice - it came down in little pellets. That was not fun to walk in as it came down and pelted our faces. Then the next day we got maybe about 3 inches of snow. Nothing compared to the 18 inches some people said was coming. We were grounded (no driving mission cars) for 2 and a half days. So, that slowed the work a bit, but we were still able to get out and do some good. We got more snow Saturday and that was a mess because we were on exchanges and needed to get S. Mat back from Lafayette. Luckily the Bishop was inspired to give us a call right after our last resort fell through and offered to help in any way we needed.
We met with Angie Wednesday. We were told to only walk to solid appointments within walking distance that day. Other than that, we were supposed to stay inside. We walked 75 minutes to Angie's house - that's the closest anyone is to us! We had a really awesome lesson with her about prophets and the BOM. We went over a little of God's use of prophets to show His love and concern for us and our families. We taught her what the BOM was, and she said it really sparked an interest in her. She decided herself that she would dig out her copy from when the sisters met with her about 6 years ago and she would start reading it. We pointed out to her that that "spark of interest" was the Holy Ghost connecting with the Light of Christ in her, teaching her the truth. We talked about knowing for herself what is true, and she said she learns best by listening and absorbing and then reading and studying and figuring out for herself what is right, and that's how she teaches her girls. Man, she has so much real intent!! She is so super awesome! We invited her to say the closing prayer. She was at first reluctant because she'd never prayed in front of people before. My being my silly self told her that we'd close our eyes and wouldn't watch so it'd be like we weren't even there. :) It worked! She said the most amazing prayer! It was so sincere! She felt the Spirit really strong and started crying. Man, it was amazing! She graciously thanked us for coming, for braving the storm. If that wasn't enough of a miracle for you, here's another one. Our phone has been acting up lately. Sometimes we don't get missed calls and voicemails until a few hours after they happen. On our walk back home after Angie's lesson, our phone beeps. It was a missed call from Angie and a voicemail BEFORE the lesson. She called to cancel the appointment. Thank goodness we didn't get that until after the lesson! God sure does work in mysterious ways! We stopped by the next day to see if Angie found her BOM and to explain that we hadn't gotten the message until after we came. She wasn't there, so we started to write her a note. But before I was done writing, she pulled up the driveway. She was super excited to see us, and so were her two girls. She had found the BOM, but she hadn't started reading it, but that was her plan for the weekend. Man, she is so awesome. Yesterday morning we stopped at CVS to grab some Sprite and cough drops, and Angie works in the pharmacy. She recognized us from a distance and said hello. Oh goodness, I just love Angie.
We met with Deven again Thursday night. He'd read the scriptures and he'd prayed about the Bible and BOM being true. He said he didn't really feel/see a result from the prayer, so we spent time talking about how to recognize the Spirit. Since we've been giving him more responsibility for his progression, our lessons with him have been more focused, and he's really learning. He's bringing his dad's scriptures to church now. He even dressed up in a nice button up and slacks 2 Sundays ago. I'm really impressed with him as an 11 year old. As long as his parents don't hinder him, he's well on his way to gaining a testimony of this gospel.
Friday S. Gibbs (S. Mat's daughter) was here on exchanges with me. We met with Mike with S. Healton again. We asked about his BOM reading, and he said he'd read the intros and the witnesses, but hadn't gotten too far into the actual BOM yet. He said he just couldn't understand how Joseph Smith could claim to be a prophet. We had planned to talk about praying with faith, but we decided to take a detour. The 3 of us testified of how we came to know the BOM was true. Mike is the kind who wants physical proof, or proof from the Bible. We talked about that and taught him that the witness that we must receive is from God, not from man, and that is far greater than physical proof. I shared the example of how years ago, people had "proof" that the earth was flat and was also the center of the universe. They were ultimately proven wrong. But when we rely on the wisdom of God, rather than the wisdom of man, we can never be proven wrong. He seemed a little less argumentative this time, but he's still got a big stumbling block to get over. He brought up that it interested him that we stress so much of authority and he didn't really understand it because they don't stress authority at all, so we decided that's what we can discuss next time. I think his reaction to our explanation of the need for authority and Joseph Smith might be a deciding factor as to whether we keep teaching him.
We were able to get in and see John that day and begin teaching him. We tracted into him and he really liked the idea of eternal families. We weren't able to have a full lesson with him, so we talked a little more of eternal families and how this church is the only way to have an eternal family. He was interested/shocked to hear that it was only done by our church. He hasn't really bought in to the idea of only one true church yet, but he does like eternal families. So hopefully that can be the building block for his faith to start.
We got to see Keisha Saturday morning. We talked with her about praying for understanding, knowledge, and peace, etc rather than just praying for this or that to happen or not happen. She had never done that before. She told us that she turned to prayer when she was 12 and her parents' marriage was struggling. She prayed that it would stop. She had that faith in prayer, but I think maybe because her prayer wasn't answered in how she wanted, she kind of lost that faith in prayer. Sister Jones bore a powerful testimony to Keisha that she was a daughter of God and He wanted to talk to her and help her be happy. I think Keisha really needed to hear that. Each visit we've invited Keisha to say the closing prayer, but she's always denied. This time, with a lot of coaching, she said the closing prayer! What a great step in her progression! They were supposed to come to church Sunday, but AGAIN they didn't come. :( I don't know what it is that will get them there. They came once before I got here, and they haven't been since. Hmm.
Colton came to church Sunday! YAY! James called us Saturday night and asked if we would teach Colton after church. Yay for missionary work working like it's supposed to! So we met afterwards and Colton said he really liked church. Even though he was sick and tired, he enjoyed it! We talked with him about the BOM and testified of the power that it had to rock his world. We talked about the need for the BOM to clarify seeming inconsistencies or contradictions in the Bible. We gave my favorite analogy of needing 2 points to specify a certain line - those 2 points being the Bible and the BOM. He then showed his understanding by saying there was a kid at school who didn't believe the Bible because of contradictions and Colton said "so you're saying that if he read the BOM, then he wouldn't see any contradictions?" Perfect! We invited him to read the Introduction to the BOM and then told him if he wanted to go on, by all means, he was sure welcome. He asked where a good place would be to start if he did go on (real intent!!). Man, I am so impressed with him! And with James. He is so missionary minded! He is definitely a great strength to Colton progressing. We're meeting with him again tonight after mutual. He's being integrated into the ward without us even having to do anything. Yay! I love when miracles happen!
Yesterday was zone conference. Man, it was amazing! I love zone conferences! They are such a spiritual boost! They used to be once a transfer (every 6 weeks), but now they're every 3 months. :( I'm sad about that. We received excellent training on extending commitments, obedience, and the BOM from our zone leaders, assistants, and Pres. Collins. I really learned a lot and the Spirit was really there to motivate me to be better. There's so many things I can be doing better. I'm grateful for inspired leaders who give trainings on the basics so that I know where to start.
Last night we stopped by Sister Boonstra to tell her a late happy birthday and take her some cookies. As we were talking, she told us that she would come to church this Sunday. Yay! It's been about 3-4 years since she's been. I really hope she makes it. She really needs it in her life.
Because of being grounded and S. Mat being sick, I've had the chance to do a lot of studying. I've started an early morning study of the BOM that has really transformed that book for me. I love it. I'm learning so much this time through. I also started to read LeGrand Richards' book "A Marvelous Work & a Wonder". It's so awesome! I love to study. I sure do love to sleep, but it's been worth getting up a bit earlier to be able to have some extra time with the Spirit.
It's frigid cold here. I kind of wish it'd snow a bit more because it'd warm up some. Well, take care all!
sister humpherys
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