Monday, July 13, 2015
Hey, all! Sorry I don't have a lot of time today. We have a lot to do for P-day and not a lot of time. I know y'all hate it when I do this, but I wanted to send you an update. It'll be copy/pasted (and mildly edited) from my letter to my mission president.
President Ware,
Admittedly, I've been pretty discouraged the last couple of days. I know that success isn't measured outwardly, but sometimes it's hard when you feel like you're giving it your all and the key indicators don't show it. I couldn't have a better companion, though. Seriously, my companion is the most awesome companion, President. When we were emailing at the library earlier, she was teaching the girl sitting next to us, just because you told us in the letter to talk to everyone! Who would think to do that, you know? Just strike up a conversation with the girl! She trusts that obedience will bring blessings, and she automatically wants to do anything she's counseled to do by our leaders. She is the most incredible example to me.
The other day we were having a really hard time and everything had fallen through and no one wanted to give us two seconds, and it was so hot. But my companion turns to me and says, "Hey. Let's play a game. It's called 'What I love about being a missionary.' You ready?" And, as you can imagine, the Spirit was strong as we listed off the best parts about the work. To transition from being soooo discouraged to feeling so good about what I was doing almost brought me to tears. She really does so much for me and my faith, and she's always good to point out the positives.
I feel like the last two transfers have been really great. We work hard. I am not perfect, though, and I see that more and more every day, but I know what with the Lord, I can do hard things. I would say, though, that in spite of my discouragement, things are going well. It's hard to see practically every person we're teaching drop us or avoid us, but there are little miracles here and there.
Yesterday my companion and I had dinner at this family's home where their oldest son has been struggling with his testimony, but as we started to share our testimonies at dinner, he gave us this look like maybe he had felt something and maybe he believed what we were saying! It was so wonderful to see, President. I love that we take such priority in making our dinners a spiritual experience. I'm grateful for my companion, who is always so quick to share a scripture or talk to someone.
We had another cool experience with something that my companion also initiated. It was kind of a bummer at first because we had gone to contact a new investigator, and she didn't act very interested. But on our way back to the car, we saw someone going out to their car. For me, I didn't really think to go talk to him— and I want to improve on that. But my companion went right over and started talking to him. After awhile, we got to know that he had a strong, strong faith in Jesus Christ. He also related to us an experience he had where he was taken up, in a vision, and the Savior offered him a cup to drink from and offered some counsel that he couldn't understand. As he drank from the cup, he awoke from his vision. Then he told us, "I've made it my life's mission to find out what Jesus said to me, and I feel like it's something I need to share with the world."
The Spirit was so strong, and I felt a distinct impression to bear witness of the restored gospel. I opened my mouth and words flowed. I bore witness that our message would help him find out what the Savior had said to him, and that he would not be disappointed. The Spirit softened his heart so much, and he gladly accepted a restoration pamphlet and Book of Mormon. Then we referred him over to the Pasco 3rd and 8th sisters because we were doing some YSA work in that area, and he is married. I feel like a lot of our work turns out to be for other missionaries, but... same team, right?
I'm trying really hard to do my best out here, President. I hope I'm not letting the Lord down. Thank you for the wise counsel you always give us to help us be the best missionaries we can be.
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"The Gospel's True, Folks!"
Sister Melanie Nielsen
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