Hey, soooooo HELLO from Lake Mills!
Yep. I stayed.
It was my choice to move in the first place, but as it came closer and closer I couldnt help but feel like my time here is not finished. So. I chose to stay here
It was a pretty good week. It was like super short and super slow at the same time.
We went bowling on Tuesday with our investigators. That was fun. They we had dinner and a lesson with the Greers. I just love Brother Greer. Once he gets over his concerns, he's gonna be an apostle. That lesson was one of the times where God was like, "see? You need to be here."
Wednesday we... well. I dont remember. hahahaha. I left my planner on my desk and my journal on my bed.
#FAIL
Well. This is what I DO know.
We had a million lessons with Jaysin and Alberto in members homes. It was super fun. They are both doing so great.
I have a really good feeling about Alberto's new baptism date for the 20th. Now that court went through and it looks like he's going to be able to stay here, he's in a much better position to feel like he can make big decisions like that. We're working on strengthening his spiritual conversion as missionaries and then working REALLY hard on his social conversion with the members. It was cool when both him and Jaysin got to hang out with us on Pday because it helped them both see others who are going through the same process of change. jaysin was late to church on Sunday and Alberto was like, "Where's jaysin??" So cute.
I have a really good feeling about Alberto's new baptism date for the 20th. Now that court went through and it looks like he's going to be able to stay here, he's in a much better position to feel like he can make big decisions like that. We're working on strengthening his spiritual conversion as missionaries and then working REALLY hard on his social conversion with the members. It was cool when both him and Jaysin got to hang out with us on Pday because it helped them both see others who are going through the same process of change. jaysin was late to church on Sunday and Alberto was like, "Where's jaysin??" So cute.
Speaking of Jaysin in church on Sunday. He brought his little girl kareena! And...he bore his testimony!!! He called it his "speech" and he typed it and we convinced him to let us read it beforehand to make sure it wasnt crazy. haha. you are never sure with him. hahah. but its so precious and I cried in my heart so I have to share it with you,
"SMILE! God Loves You
How do I know God loves me? He has blessed me with a great offering. He has seen me through hard times, performed miracles for me, and most of all I can now feel the powerful Spirit inside my heart and soul. - gifted to me from two special people.
When Sister Alder found me I was one more piece of bad news away from completely giving up. I was in a very dark place in my life and on the path of total self destruction. But Sister Alder and Sister Butler saw something in me when no one else would. I now thank them for never giving up on me when they should have and I am truly sorry for all the times I was unjustly on them.
I want to thank the Sisters again for saving me and also everyone else for your kindness you have shown.
What does it mean to me to be a good Christian? Well to me it means never to judge anyone for their color, sex, or level of wealth. There is no way to determine the wealth in a persons heart by the tatter of their coat. The greatness of humankind is not how much wealth one acquires, it is in one’s integrity and one’s ability to affect those around you positively, only once in life can you find something to turn your world around and feel things you never felt before. You feel the wonder and joy and ACTUALLY want to feel more. Share your dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved, and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. So when something wonderful does happen, you can’t wait to share that knowing they will delight in your excitement too.
This reminds me of the story of Zeezrom in the Book of Mormon. When the Sisters shared this story with me, I was able apply it to my life. I felt like him. I knew I was doing wrong, but I didn’t care. But now, I have changed and now feel the joy of sharing the joy of my change.
Being a good Christian to me means to cry with those that are hurting and laugh when you make a fool of yourselves. To ever make others hurt or feel like they are not good enough, but instead build them up and show them things that make them special, even beautiful.
Being a good Christian to me means never make someone feel pressured or that it’s a competition or feel jealousy. Let them feel the Spirit flow through you.
Let me explain this for a minute. Imagine the Holy Spirit is a lake on a hill and the word of God is the pipeline that you are building. Your faith is the reservoir ib the other end. If you are not sharing the word, it’s like shutting off the water. How can we fill our faith and keep it fresh if it is plugged off. So I say we uncap it and let it out and keep it flowing, spread to the world.
For me, the more I let out - the more flows through me. For instance, when I’m helping others and doing good works, colors seem brighter, laughter seems to come natural and a part of my everyday life where before was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. Maybe a phone call to a loved on or someone you know is going through a hard time. Let them know you are thinking about them. It may make all the difference in their life - you may even hear their voice perk up. It will bring a smile to your face and theirs.
What does being a good Christian mean to me? It means not always doing the talking but listening to others. Things that never seemed interesting to me before now become fascinating because I know it’s important to them.
What does this new life mean to me? Appreciating a pale blue sky, a gentle wind, even a storm cloud off in the distance. What does this new faith mean to me? Opening up my heart knowing there is a chance it may be broken one day, but in opening my heart I can experience love and joy I never knew possible. I find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow my heart to heal enough to feel true pleasure (that is sometimes so powerful it scares me).
What does all this mean to me? It means finding my strength in knowing I have made a difference, made a difference, changed someone’s life for the better in some way. Some of you may have found a soul mate along your journey, or peace knowing you have changed someone, made their life completely different, exciting and worthwhile, like some of you have done for me. If I don’t take anything else from this group, know that I have hope and security that the Holy Spirit is now a part of my life.
This is what being a Christian means to me.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Smile. God loves you!"
"SMILE! God Loves You
How do I know God loves me? He has blessed me with a great offering. He has seen me through hard times, performed miracles for me, and most of all I can now feel the powerful Spirit inside my heart and soul. - gifted to me from two special people.
When Sister Alder found me I was one more piece of bad news away from completely giving up. I was in a very dark place in my life and on the path of total self destruction. But Sister Alder and Sister Butler saw something in me when no one else would. I now thank them for never giving up on me when they should have and I am truly sorry for all the times I was unjustly on them.
I want to thank the Sisters again for saving me and also everyone else for your kindness you have shown.
What does it mean to me to be a good Christian? Well to me it means never to judge anyone for their color, sex, or level of wealth. There is no way to determine the wealth in a persons heart by the tatter of their coat. The greatness of humankind is not how much wealth one acquires, it is in one’s integrity and one’s ability to affect those around you positively, only once in life can you find something to turn your world around and feel things you never felt before. You feel the wonder and joy and ACTUALLY want to feel more. Share your dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved, and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. So when something wonderful does happen, you can’t wait to share that knowing they will delight in your excitement too.
This reminds me of the story of Zeezrom in the Book of Mormon. When the Sisters shared this story with me, I was able apply it to my life. I felt like him. I knew I was doing wrong, but I didn’t care. But now, I have changed and now feel the joy of sharing the joy of my change.
Being a good Christian to me means to cry with those that are hurting and laugh when you make a fool of yourselves. To ever make others hurt or feel like they are not good enough, but instead build them up and show them things that make them special, even beautiful.
Being a good Christian to me means never make someone feel pressured or that it’s a competition or feel jealousy. Let them feel the Spirit flow through you.
Let me explain this for a minute. Imagine the Holy Spirit is a lake on a hill and the word of God is the pipeline that you are building. Your faith is the reservoir ib the other end. If you are not sharing the word, it’s like shutting off the water. How can we fill our faith and keep it fresh if it is plugged off. So I say we uncap it and let it out and keep it flowing, spread to the world.
For me, the more I let out - the more flows through me. For instance, when I’m helping others and doing good works, colors seem brighter, laughter seems to come natural and a part of my everyday life where before was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. Maybe a phone call to a loved on or someone you know is going through a hard time. Let them know you are thinking about them. It may make all the difference in their life - you may even hear their voice perk up. It will bring a smile to your face and theirs.
What does being a good Christian mean to me? It means not always doing the talking but listening to others. Things that never seemed interesting to me before now become fascinating because I know it’s important to them.
What does this new life mean to me? Appreciating a pale blue sky, a gentle wind, even a storm cloud off in the distance. What does this new faith mean to me? Opening up my heart knowing there is a chance it may be broken one day, but in opening my heart I can experience love and joy I never knew possible. I find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow my heart to heal enough to feel true pleasure (that is sometimes so powerful it scares me).
What does all this mean to me? It means finding my strength in knowing I have made a difference, made a difference, changed someone’s life for the better in some way. Some of you may have found a soul mate along your journey, or peace knowing you have changed someone, made their life completely different, exciting and worthwhile, like some of you have done for me. If I don’t take anything else from this group, know that I have hope and security that the Holy Spirit is now a part of my life.
This is what being a Christian means to me.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Smile. God loves you!"
It doesn't get any better than that, friends!
Oh! And he hasn't drank in 24 hours! PROGRESS! Miracles everywhere.
Life is great. People are good. God is awesome.
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