Mission Call

Mission Call

Monday, May 9, 2016

It All Starts Because of Mom

Happy (belated) Mother's Day to all you Mothers and motherly figures out there! It all starts with you and your example! As I told my mom yesterday (#skyping!!), everything I know and everything your children know and hold on to starts with the example of their mothers. You are changing lives each and every day! You are miracle workers! It's the best calling Heavenly Father could ever give you. Whether you have children or not, all us women get to be mothers to those around us. I love that we have that calling in life! 
So, I have many highlights for this week! One of which was the opportunity I had to skype my family yesterday!! Hopefully they've posted pictures and such online, because I wasn't smart enough to take any pictures of that experience! But, seriously, skyping is the best. It just motivates me to work harder and gain more and more experiences to share. And, boy, is Heavenly Father blessing me with experiences! This week has been amazing! 
Last week I told you about a woman in the ward who regained her testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. We've been teaching her daughter Kaitlyn, and because of that simple testimony she gained, God has prepared her and softened her heart to let her daughter Kaitlyn get baptized! Kaitlyn is now preparing for baptism NEXT WEEKEND! May 21st! She's been taught almost all the lessons and she's truly ready for this amazing day that will change her for the rest of her life! That family needs the Gift of the Holy Ghost more and more in their home, and it's happening. They are changing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and although their trials aren't necessarily getting easier, they are being made stronger to handle them. And God is lifting them. And I just love that I get to be a part of this! 
Oh, and remember Suzie who told us not to come back a couple weeks ago? Well, we went back anyway, and we had a great conversation with her and we are going to start visiting her more, without "pushing" religion at all. She got worried because while she was intoxicated she had indicated that she wanted to be baptized and come to church, but then she felt like she wasn't ready for that yet, so it was just too fast. But her heart softened as we talked with her and she's okay with us coming over again :) #miracle.
And you know our investigator Theresa, who we've been working with for a while now? The Spirit has done amazing things to her heart and she is now prepared to be baptized on May 28th!!!!! We're reviewing all the lessons with her and she's living all the commandments and it's her time! And, another miracle, her daughter Olivia, who we've been trying to teach for a while now, accepted our invite to learn more.... and next thing we know, she came to church yesterday with her younger sister ALL BY HERSELF! She called a member for a ride and came to church! Oh God is so good! We're hoping she chooses to get baptized the same day as her mom :) Prayers are greatly appreciated and you are all changing lives with the prayers you've said so far! Nothing that we do as missionaries is done on our own accord. All is led by the Spirit, and the Spirit is softening hearts and people are changing! SO GOOD! 
Okay, do you remember a man named Patrick that Sister Larsen and I met and taught while we were getting our oil changed a few weeks ago? Well, that very same Patrick has now allowed two missionaries serving in Broadneck to teach him. And, get this, he's come to church TWICE now (they just started teaching him last week), and HE ACCEPTED THE INVITE TO BE BAPTIZED!!! All because the Spirit prompted us to teach him while he tried to flirt with us ha-ha. It's so good! Oh God is so good. 
Another highlight of the week: we got to go to the Temple Visitors Center with Theresa!! Oh, it was so powerful! She said she has never felt the Spirit the way she felt it at the temple, even when she went to church for the first time. She knows the temple is the way she needs to go. We had a huge lesson on eternal families and she has started making changes in her family, including spending more time AS a family and off of technology! It's been so HUGE! That was such a fun experience. Then we got to watch Meet the Mormons and she wants us to teach all her kids (remember, there's 8 of them...) and help them follow Jesus Christ as well! So, we're hoping to start teaching ALL of them, not just Olivia! That would mean, with all the people we're teaching, and all of her children, 8 baptisms this transfer. EIGHT! That's huge, and it's not even about the number! That WHOLE family could have the gift of the Holy Ghost. That WHOLE family could start new. It's all about families. That's where it's at. And that's our goal. 
And I have the best family around.
 I love you all and I'm so grateful for your examples! Have a fantastic week and don't forget to let me know about your miracles!
Scripture of the Week: 2 Nephi 25:26
Quote of the Week: "After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel." - Joseph Smith
P.S.  the last few picture are of the AMAZING Arbon family who allowed us to Skype at their home. This was my entertainment while my companion skyped ha-ha. 
Love, 

Sister Humphrey