Apparently I didn't make it very clear about where exactly I am. I'm still in my first area, Pasco 1st/10th and YSA! They're splitting my mission at the beginning of July, though, for the new Yakima Mission. My companion and I are staying in the Kennewick Mission, and I couldn't be more thrilled!
This week has been hard on me, but even in spite of the hard things, the Lord seems to send little miracles. Gary, our recent new investigator, is still showing interest, to our great relief. He'll be out of town to watch the U.S. Open, but he's agreed to read the assignment we left him and follow up with him through text. We've even planned out lessons for him in our planners to send through text. We're quite excited for it, and so is his wife! Sometimes I don't think about how much this message means to people, especially when they're your spouse— the love of your life. In fact, it seems the three people I'm most invested in are someone's spouse. Part-member families really are a great way to find! We had a glimmer of hope this week with Earnado. He's still in Oklahoma, but we had the idea to text him scriptures. When he was in Washington, he'd never check his phone, but it dawned on us that he HAS to check his phone if he's in Alabama. Paulena isn't there to answer it for him! ;)
It was a very successful attempt— rocky at first, but by the end of our conversation, he was expressing his deep gratitude for our prayers and our investment in him. He even shared a scripture with us! In visiting his wife this week, we learned that he'd taken his Book of Mormon with him and has been praying with his son, Jonah, who is 2. All I have to say about Jonah is no wonder the Lord praises children in the scriptures. Jonah has been such a good example for Earnado. Just about every night, Jonah will get up from bed, get on his knees, then turn to his dad and say, "Pray?" to which Earnado replies, "All right. We'll pray." This happens at least four more times before Jonah will commit to falling asleep. Haha! Children are great! Such a blessing. It sounds like the Lord is hearing our prayers that Earnado's testimony is being strengthened out there, and we are continually praying for that. (And also that he'll come back to Washington soon!)
My heart took a big hit when Tim dropped us this week. We had a hard but productive lesson with him on Thursday. Our district council training really came in handy as we sat in silence (for a looong time, might I add) trying to perceive Tim's needs and ask inspired questions. We came to understand that although his motives are righteous, he is only motivated to investigate the church because of his little family and wife. As I said, that is a great reason, but when you've been investigating as long as Tim has, you need to reach a point where you're doing it for yourself or you're never going to receive an answer. We asked him if that was important to him, and he let us know that he didn't understand the need for faith and didn't really care about finding answers for himself. It sounded like he had us over, though, so that we could help him believe and gain that desire. He asked me to close the lesson, and all I could do is cry. You put your whole heart into it, you know? And when it's not helping... it just breaks your heart. We went to church a few days later hoping he'd be there, but it was only his wife. She came up to us and told us that Tim wanted to take a break from missionaries for a couple of weeks. I hope that doesn't translate to forever.
Though it's been hard, we've been trying to work hard to find new people to teach. All in the Lord's time, I suppose. It's easy to think that maybe I'm not putting enough faith into it or that maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I'm trying to let that be constructive criticism instead of destructive. My companion helps a lot. I so appreciate her optimism and faith and her good, righteous example. I'm grateful we take time every day to study and feel the Spirit. That always helps me know where I stand with the Lord and what I can do to improve. I pray every day for the courage to overcome my fears, and I know I can be a better missionary one day at a time with his help.
It's been a great week in spite of it all. I know the Lord sends tender mercies to help us know he's there for us. We can't have our faith strengthened if it's not tested here and there. I'm so grateful for that!
I love the Lord. I love you all.
Happy Birthday to me!
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"The Gospel's True, Folks!"
Sister Melanie Nielsen
PICTURES!
I don't know what's more cool— eating free food from gracious members every day or eating it on the table to negate everything your mother ever taught you. #bestdinneraward
That moment when seeing a bunny makes your whole day.
When you love your investigator so much that you threaten to kill people. #whoa #takeiteasy #areabookfunnies
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