I have had an amazing
week! In my personal study I read the talk "Beware of Pride" by
President Benson, and there were two quotes that I wanted to share with you.
"If we love God, do His will, and fear His judgment more than men's, we
will have self-esteem." I have found this to be true on my mission. I have
made aligning my will with His the focus of my studies and my prayers, so that
I can be the missionary He needs me to be. As I have done that I have come to
see myself as the Beautiful Daughter of God that I am. I look in the mirror,
and I see who He sees, not who the world sees. All I want is for the world to
see Christ when they look at me. I've also been working on smiling more, which
has made a real difference. Now I don't even have to try! I am smiling almost
all the time, and it makes me truly happy!
We finally found a new
person to teach! Her name is Suzi, she is from Mexico, and she wants to learn
more about the gospel. We had been trying to find her home and never could, but
on Friday we went to knock on her door right before dinner, and it ended up
being an hour long lesson! It was a miracle, we are so excited to teach her the
restored gospel! Luckily our dinner appointment was a former mission president,
and he and his wife were perfectly happy to wait for us. Before we left I asked
if they had any advice for a missionary who had just reached her halfway point
and was having trouble accepting that. What he said really touched me. He said "Sister
Lisonbee, just keep doing what you are doing. You are an amazing missionary, I
knew that from the moment you sat out there on my porch the first time to
discuss your ward..." He said more but that's not important. I really
needed to hear that that day. I know that Heavenly Father is pleased with my
work, even if the numbers aren't high, that's not what matters. I have been
able to see how I have touched people's lives for the better, and that brings
me joy.
We also went to return
some dishes to a member, and it turned into an hour long discussion. She had
just read something that is going to help us to teach an investigator family
that we have been working with for a while. I'm so excited to see them grow and
change as they draw nearer to Christ!
Then there was last
night. We had a lesson that changed me. We have been working a lot with a less
active, I think i've told you about him, and he has slowly been changing. Well
last night we had a lesson with him in a member's home, it was amazing. We started
off by sharing 3 Nefi 22: 7-8. He had doubts about God and His love. He tried
to answer the questions we asked the way he thought we wanted, instead we told
him that he needed to be honest with us. So he was, and we were able to address
his concerns. The member we were with is a 28 year old girl getting ready for
her mission, and she just bore her testimony of the love that God has for us.
Then sister West bore hers, and then I bore a piece of mine. The spirit was so
strong. I said things that I didn't think of as they came out of my mouth. I
looked him in the eyes, and I saw the change happen. We went home afterward,
and he sent us a text saying thank you. We talked for a bit then he said. When
you were giving your "messages" I felt peaceful and calm. It felt
good. I asked him if he knew why and he said "the spirit." He
recognized that he was feeling the spirit. It was a miracle. I have been
working with this young man for 4 months, and last night I watched him change.
It was the most amazing thing ever. I feel so honored to have been a part of
that. I feel at peace with myself and with God, I am happy.
