It is good to hear from you and write to you. I love you guys. So much of my strength day to day is because of you, I know you support me, love me, and pray for me. Thank you!! Soundview is doing well. It is fun being here for so long, because I really know the area and the people. I've definitely knocked every door in the area, many of them twice, and some three times. But we can always find new people home! We'll see people walking on the streets and I can go, "Oh, there's old Sheryl, still smoking her cigarettes!" But we stay busy with teaching appointments and visits. We got a list from the Elders Quorum President and the High Priests Group Leader of some households of families who are less active and potentially have a nonmember spouse or children. It's always great when you can reactivate a family and perhaps have a baptism at the same time.
We had a surprise with Cleo and her situation! After teaching the third lesson, she mentioned that she had been baptized before, in Spokane, 17 years ago! (Not sure why it didn't come up earlier...) She said she doesn't remember being confirmed or having a record. We had our ward clerk check on it, and sure enough, she's a member, confirmed and everything. We were at first disappointed, feeling like we were working toward baptism for no reason. We went over later that day for an appointment and her daughter Deborah was there, the first time she sat in a lesson with us. Her daughter, however, is not a member (we even checked), and Deborah is open to learning more! She is progressing slowly and doesn't want to be pushed, but has come to church twice now, and agreed to read the Book of Mormon. She said the closing prayer in our lesson, probably her first in a long time, and it was great. Looking back a little bit, all the progress Cleo made is real. Though we were never teaching an investigator, she still gained a testimony of the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, and loves coming to church. She bore her testimony to her daughter. It's funny how the Lord works sometimes.
We're still teaching Renee, but she struggles to come to church since she has a lot of shoulder and hip pain (she's a little older). We taught her about prayer today, and talked about the nature of Heavenly Father and that He has a body. Very few religions believe that, but it really is important if we are to believe we are the children of God, made in His image and have the potential to become like Him and His perfect Son Jesus Christ.
J___ moved this week, we're not sure where. It's kind of sad actually. One of her kids flew to Georgia to stay with his dad, and the other kids did a lot of the moving. I think they're in a motel until they can find a place. We helped them move a big dresser downstairs, but J____ wasn't home. We are going to call her to try and stay in contact. They need a home first, then they can get connected with the church again. I really care about their family and want them to be happy and stable. But choices have consequences. We continue to pray for them.
Tiffany is doing well still. We are going to be involved more with her and teaching the new member lessons. She is still more comfortable with us around. She had a lot of stress this week, with family and friends, and spent yesterday in Lacey, not at church. We stopped by to see her last night and talked. She is still reading the Book of Mormon, every night after her kids go to bed. She likes going to church and understands she needs to hold on to the gospel. This is a difficult time for new members, because it is easy to slip back into old ways. I love the converts of this church and feel we have a great need to hold on to them.
 |
| Mission Leadership Council training |
We have zone conferences this week. The Blatters are great, we have our MLC meeting and talked about finding and talking with everyone. They are great missionaries and find the opportunity to talk to everyone they meet, at the grocery store, the DMV, neighbors on the street, at the ice cream store, etc. It is a great example to us missionaries and to all members!
 |
| Mission Leadership Council |
 |
| Tommy is a volunteer, re-painting older homes for those who can't afford it |
 |
| a program sponsored by the local Mormon congregation |
Keep strong and be good, I am doing my best as a missionary. I love serving God every day. I have fun with my companions and at the mansion. All is well.
Love,
Elder Webber
Scripture:
D&C 10:5, 43
No comments:
Post a Comment