So this past weekend we were asked last minute to help in yet ANOTHER mini mission. This one was actually out in Deer Park which was about an hour and a half drive away from our area. They needed more sister missionaries to help, and we were excited to do another one. This mini mission was AWESOME because we were in a Tongan ward!!! Man it was seriously so much fun. We were with 2 sisters and because they have really long and hard names to say they said we could call them Sister T#1 and Sister T#2. It was funny but really helpful because I couldn't even say their names so there was no way my poor companion could either! They were so sweet.
But we went out GQing with the mini's and oh my gosh it was soo windy. Like honestly the BIGGEST wind storm I have ever been in. BUT (because we were with the mini missionaries) that was no excuse to not get out and GQ. It was fun and we actually had success and found some keen and prepared people for the missionaries in that area!
After we went GQing, the Tongan ward we were serving in had a baptism and after a baptism in the ward they always have a HUGE feed. Wow I have never eaten like that before. I don't think I have ever eaten so much food. It was soo fun. Their ward is really close and it was so cool to see how they treat everyone like family. Before we ate, they gave a no joke, an 8 minute family prayer!!! Because it was all in tongan I thought they were blessing the food but it was actually just a family prayer! It made me wish a little that I was serving my mission in Tonga!
Then as we were leaving to go back to the chapel to end the mini mission, the cutest lady gave me a huge basket of fruit. Everyone calls her Momma M something (forgot her name too) because she is the mom of the ward. I tried to say that I was alright because I was extremely full, but she insisted so we now have HEAPS of fruit!
As far as our investigators go, Sister Zhang and I have really been trying to figure out new ways to help the investigators in our area. When we did weekly planning this week it took a little over 6 hours (we had to do it on multiple days because it took so long haha) because the entire time during planning we were thinking of every single investigator we have one at a time. We would just look at their progress record and pray and pray and then pray some more to try and figure out what this particular investigator needs. We feel as though we have been hitting a brick wall the past couple weeks and can't seem to get over it. Most of our investigators right now are not progressing nor declining so we are just kind of at a standstill. We have been fasting, praying and constantly look for an answer of something to do in order to help our investigators start to make the steps forward and toward baptism.
As much as I would like to say that we have gotten an answer to our prayers on how to help our investigators.. we still feel that we haven't found an answer that will help us immediately. BUT Sister Zhang and I have thought of a couple different things that we are going to try and going to start doing. And the coolest part, is that I actually HAVE gotten an answer to my prayers. It was a different answer than I thought and definitely not something that I was expecting. HOWEVER, it did teach me a really important lesson. This really taught me about patience and trusting God. I know that it is selfish of me to want all of our investigators to start to progress rapidly and immediately. I have come to realize that I need to trust God and trust in HIS TIMING. I need to see my investigators through God's eyes. As my dad said (and I echo), "personally, I'm so grateful for God's patience with me. Sometimes I imagine Him shaking his head wondering if I'll ever "come willingly" and receive His many blessings, rather than what I sometimes do." So I know this is the same for my investigators. Even though sometimes I feel like our investigators are taking 2 steps forward and 2 steps back, if I can have patience and love for them, it will all work out. I know that in God's timing they will indeed get baptized and make those sacred covenants with Him.
This was a really special learning experience and growing time for me. I am so grateful for times like this when I get to learn and grow and become more like Jesus Christ. I mean sometimes I wish my mission were easier and we were able to see more success right away, but in the end I really am so grateful for the hard times that push me and allow me to grow.
As much as I would like to say that we have gotten an answer to our prayers on how to help our investigators.. we still feel that we haven't found an answer that will help us immediately. BUT Sister Zhang and I have thought of a couple different things that we are going to try and going to start doing. And the coolest part, is that I actually HAVE gotten an answer to my prayers. It was a different answer than I thought and definitely not something that I was expecting. HOWEVER, it did teach me a really important lesson. This really taught me about patience and trusting God. I know that it is selfish of me to want all of our investigators to start to progress rapidly and immediately. I have come to realize that I need to trust God and trust in HIS TIMING. I need to see my investigators through God's eyes. As my dad said (and I echo), "personally, I'm so grateful for God's patience with me. Sometimes I imagine Him shaking his head wondering if I'll ever "come willingly" and receive His many blessings, rather than what I sometimes do." So I know this is the same for my investigators. Even though sometimes I feel like our investigators are taking 2 steps forward and 2 steps back, if I can have patience and love for them, it will all work out. I know that in God's timing they will indeed get baptized and make those sacred covenants with Him.
This was a really special learning experience and growing time for me. I am so grateful for times like this when I get to learn and grow and become more like Jesus Christ. I mean sometimes I wish my mission were easier and we were able to see more success right away, but in the end I really am so grateful for the hard times that push me and allow me to grow.
thanks for the constant love and support.
I am too blessed to be stressed. :)
love you all. have a good week!
xoxo
I am too blessed to be stressed. :)
love you all. have a good week!
xoxo
张姐妹
Sister Johnson
Sister Johnson
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| Mini Mission with Sister T#1 and Sister T#2 from the Tongan Ward |
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| Big basket of fruit given to us by Momma M from the Tongan Ward. |
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| Teaching Sister Zhang how to make Fruit Pizza - but all my fruit slid off |
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| Twinners |
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| A sign that reminded me of what my zone leaders would do whenever they heard me speaking English instead of Mandarin. |
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