everything I want to do! This week was busy--nothing super exciting or
new-just busy preparing for a baptism this weekend...lets see...what
happened this week...
- I learned to work a cash register...an ability I never would have
thought to learn on my mission. It's fun!
- Our Relief Society Presidency got changed in the branch--we are
looking forward to the benefits of this change and hoping we can better
work with the members as we take advantage of the excitement during this
"change" period.
- We found a family of 7. The second oldest son got baptized in Utah,
but since moving to Washington hasn't come to church. Playing soccer
outside with their kids softened some hearts and we are looking forward to
hopefully working with them in the coming weeks!
- We were able to do some service for a sister in our branch. Her mom
has severe Alzheimers and we agreed to come over and read the scriptures
with her. She couldn't speak for more than a few words without losing her
train of thought and rambling about something else. However, the sweetest
part of the experience was that at the end, she asked if we could sing
"Secreta Oracion" or "Secret Prayer." We agreed. It was amazing to see the
difference in her countenance as we sang. For the past half hour she hadn't
been able to remember much of anything, but as we sang Secret Prayer, she
knew every word to every verse. The Spirit filled the room as we all sang
together. It was a sweet experience:) The things of most importance will
never leave our minds and hearts. The Spirit engraves them "in fleshy
tables of the heart," [1 Corinthians 3:3] never to be lost or forgotten.
- We had a ton of less-active members show up to church this week out of
nowhere...that was a tender mercy! It was fun to get to know them by their
faces and not their names in the directory.
Lastly, we were able to go on exchanges this week with our Sister Training
Leaders and I was able to go "English" for the day. So, back up information:
Patty. I was teaching Patty about a year ago with my trainer when I was in
Lynnwood the first time. It was a miracle in and of itself that we found
her...but you can sort through my old emails for that story...and I worked
with her and she was progressing really well and was going to get baptized
and married (so she could get baptized)...and then I got transferred, a lot
of crazy things happened in her family, and she didn't have the same
relationship and confidence with the other hermanas that were there. I
suggested, because she spoke maybe more English than Spanish, that she be
taught by the English Sisters (this was back in October). Long-story-short.
It didn't happen. Life got crazy and she never met with any missionaries.
However, during the 6 months-ish that I was gone, I communicated with her
via letter and email each week that I was serving in Marysville. She
continued to weekly keep the commitments I gave her to read the Book of
Mormon and pray. I told her about 2 months ago (when I was still in
Marysville) that I think the best thing for her would be to start meeting
with the English sisters that cover her area. It took a little bit of
convincing, but she agreed. She was able to meet with the Sisters for the
first time (2 that I know very well and how are now my sister training
leaders).
The next week, I was transferred back to Lynnwood. I didn't tell Patty. I
wanted her to progress with the English missionaries and not be tempted to
come back to the branch so I could come teach her. I continued working with
her via email on Mondays...while sitting next to the Sisters at the
library. I would set the appointment with Patty and the sisters would go.
Fast-forward 4 weeks. Patty has been meeting with the sisters and
progressing. Last week she sent me an email and told me she has a date
picked to go get her marriage license, a date to go to the court to get
married, and is planning to get baptized on June 4. I was STOKED.
But it gets better.
My Sister Training Leaders called and said that I would be coming to their
area for the day and that they would be seeing Patty. I was stoked. We were
able to teach about the basics (my favorite) of prayer, scriptures, and
church. It was so fun to see how much she had grown since the first day.
Likewise, her daughter and niece that are close to my heart. Her niece,
Darleen, walked in the room, glanced back at me, took two steps forward,
looked back and took a double-take, and just walked slowly toward me with
outstretched arms and gave me a hug and just cried and cried. "I missed
you." It was precious. I sure missed them too.
It was hard to leave, but it was a sweet experience. Fun to see how the
Lord's timing is perfect!
Challenge: Reflect on the past 6 months, 1 year, etc of your life and write
down a few example of where you have seen the Lord's hand and timing. Then,
say a prayer of gratitude for those things.
As we increase our ability to recognize Heavenly Father's hand and
influence in our lives and increase our gratitude, we will be greatly
blessed and come to feel his love more abundantly and more frequently. Of
this I testify!:)
Hermana Clark