The Fire is Definitely Catching On

Hey everyone!

How are things?

Things around here are ok.  We are still struggling to find people to teach, although we have seen a huge change in the wards' enthusiasm about missionary work. They are very excited and the fire is definitely catching on. I know it will just take time to find people in this area, but it's hard to maintain the patience Heavenly Father sometimes requires of us. The enthusiasm is spreading though. And the members, for the most part, are beginning to trust us more with their friends.  Yesterday we actually taught a lesson to a young man who is definitely searching.  We're really excited about him...except that he's not in our boundaries so we have to refer him to the elders where he lives. 

(side note- we did have a lady in one of our wards come over to us after sacrament meeting and tell us that she has a grandson on a mission and that if she ever saw him reading the scriptures or not singing the hymns during sacrament meeting, she would be very disappointed in him. Of course that's what we were doing. Sister Bingham was reading the scriptures and I was writing in my journal (aka. not singing the hymns) to stay awake.  She was on the verge of crying though and she told us that she wouldn't bring non-members to church knowing that the missionaries don't listen to the meeting.  She told us that she was going to talk to the bishop about it, whom we happen to live with, so we're interested to know if he will say anything to us. He probably won't though since he knows I'm a narcoleptic.  Ironically, in the next meeting (the lesson on the gathering of israel) we began talking about not being offended and I had to ask myself if I was offended.  I don't think I am offended at all. I can understand where she's coming from.  I'm not necessarily going to stop writing in my journal during sacrament meeting since that's the only way I've found to stay awake. Unless this lady would prefer that I fall asleep in church. I'm just sorry that she was so offended.)

I suppose though that if we aren't having much luck finding people in our own area, at least people are being found. I think that times like this are tender mercies to remind us that even if we don't have many investigators, our members are still working.  They ARE trying.  And they ARE finding, even if their friends aren't in our area. I really appreciate the fact that we are all working towards the same goal as a mission: 1,500 baptisms.  It's a group effort. Not dependant on any one individual companionship :-) And we're all working towards the same goal of bringing souls unto Christ- which is happening.

In addition to the two investigators we have, we've been weeding out our less active list.  There are all on so many different levels.  Some are so receptive to us and they are doing everything they can to become active again.  Others enjoy our visits and lessons but only want to come back half-heartedly.  Then there are some who LOVE us to visit and could talk our ears off, but they don't see the importance of coming back, so they don't.  Then there's people who don't even open their doors to us. Etc. Etc.  So, we're weeding out those less actives who aren't willing to commit to anything- since commitments are the path to repentance and activation.  And in the meantime, we're trying to be better about asking for referrals and doing our own finding activities. And teaching members. And meeting with bishops and Ward mission leaders. And about a million other things.  Life is good.  And I've finally come to terms with the fact that the reason I never play sports is largely due to a fear of balls coming at my head.

So. Yeah. It's all a work in progress. and as Sister Bingham keeps saying, "The sleeping giant is about to awaken." After all, we've sure been jabbing at him a lot!

Well, that's all folks! Love you all!

Love, Sister Stephens

PS. Mom, I loved the pictures! Cameras are the best invention in the world. Dad, I didn't see the moon. :-(  I was in a lesson and when we came out it had come and gone... Sadness, right? I was SO disappointed! Lynz, did you get my journal entries?  Eric, keep your chin up! I love you!