Miracle Again! Woot!

Hi family!

Miracle. We taught Jono's mom and his friend Errick the first lesson! And we have a return appointment. :-D

Jono is doing well. We are still shooting for the 30th for his baptism. He thanked us though after we left the lesson with his mom and friend.  SO COOL! I really hope that she accepts it.  She doesn't have any religious background and she seemed open and both she and Errick asked some great questions. Jono even helped teach!  It was amazing. 

When the Kings, Jono's fellowshippers, found out that we taught Karen (Jono's mom), Sister King was really surprised. Apparently a lot of people have reached out to Karen and invited her to activities and all kinds of things, but she hasn't been interested.  So I suppose that what she needed was an invitation to learn about what Jono has been learning and what we've been teaching. I think that's the main reason she told us we could teach her the first lesson. Curiosity. But we originally said she could either listen in on Jono's lesson (auxilaries) or we could teach the first lesson. And she said we could teach the first lesson. SO EXCITING!

I think she liked in particular that the Godhead is 3 separate beings.  She said she gets confused when people say they're a cloud or intangible-ness. She also really liked when we told her that Motherhood is a noble and divine calling.

Errick asked a question about men only being able to hold the priesthood and it seemed like he was trying to bait us a little.  But he accepted our answers when we gave them and when he asked what divine gift God gives women that men don't have, Sister Kiernan said "Motherhood". Hehe.. I think that's my favorite part.  Because I love that men hold the priesthood and get to be protectors and providers (aka Daddies) and women get to be mommies. :-D

And the BEST part. Ok. One of many... Is that Jono is there to answer their questions.  It was AMAZING to hear him bear testimony of the things we were teaching.  And he helped clear up things that we didn't teach clearly. And sometimes he had questions, too, but he felt comfortable asking us. I think him asking questions as we reteach him will also help Karen and Errick to see that Jono is still learning, too.

Anyway. best lesson I've had in a long time.  Lots of work to improve but the spirit was strong and amazing. therefore, it was a GREAT lesson.

GUESS WHAT!  Hattie got baptized!  (An investigator in my last area).  I got to go to it and Sister Volk, Ontiveras, Kiernan, and I got to sing at it.  I am so happy for her!  She was crying and crying. I just love her! She cries every time she feels the spirit.  I don't think she has ever felt this much overwhelming love before.  It's so incredible to see people change and see the light and then obtain it for themselves.  Jono is also a great example of that.  He has a beautiful light in his eyes that wasn't there before and when he gets baptized, he'll have it forever Wahoo!

I've been thinking a lot about that light in people's eyes.  I never realized how literal it really is.  And with some people, it's almost tangible.  Like Sister Kiernan.  And then I think of other people I've taught who don't have that light.  They're definitely searching for something and one of the reasons that I think people like having missionaries over is because we are tangible proof of what that light can help us to become. Not that we are perfect by any means. But to someone who doesn't have that full fire for themselves, we are a beacon of light.  But that extends beyond us as missionaries, too.  Members of the church are so incredible and WE NEED THEM!  As missionaries, WE NEED OUR MEMBERS!  And I love that! 

This past week I've really been learning about how CRITICAL it is for us to follow the organization of the church that God has given us.  As missionaries, we are here to serve.  As long as it is within our purpose (because last week I learned about how important it is to be clear about what our purposes are when visiting people) we are here to do the ward council's bidding.  And we need them to tell us how to be the most effective we can be in their individual wards. 

Ok. This letter is getting to be long and I need to wrap it up.

Mom- Thanks for the money for clothes. I appreciate it SO MUCH!  I love you!

Dad- Don't despair about the bunnies. Lol. They need your love, too!  Feel free to send pictures! Hehehe...  And congrats on the job!  I am so happy for you!

Eric- I remember you talking a lot about being bold. Didn't you write a paper about it in relation to the Book of Mormon?

Lynz- Did you do the puzzle yet?  Hahaha... Remember, the key to keeping the fire is CPR. Church. Pray. Read.

Love you all!!! XOXOXOXOXO's all around!  The church is true!

Love, me