Wednesday was a cold one, it snowed all day, and because of the lake effect from Lake Erie, we get wind chills too 😂. So we actually ended up shoveling snow out of people's driveways all over the area and also at the church, periodically taking warmth breaks because our hands were starting to look like ice cubes 🥶🥶. We were able to meet with Dieter Grimm this week since he got back from his trip to Georgia and so it was very great to be able to sit down and talk with him about questions he has about the Gospel. Please keep praying for him. I know he wants to accept the truth of the Gospel, he just needs a little extra something.
On Wednesday afternoon, we went over to Bob White's house. He loves loves to play the piano and he has a keyboard in his house. When we got there, he sat me down and taught me the whole process of playing the basic notes on a piano or a keyboard, and what note did what thing. He then proceeded to tell me that I was going to sing on his keyboard downstairs, haha so that's exactly what I did :). The recording is on the google drive. It was so much fun and while I was singing, it made me really start thinking about my talents and I made the decision that I really want to begin to sing again more frequently and learn the piano. So I'm going to be thinking about that and furthering my singing talent especially, because I have really missed singing in a choir I've realized, since I stopped after junior year. Overall, the time at Bob's this week helped me to see the importance of developing talents, even if they lay dormant.
Thursday was a kind of slower day. We met with Brother Hartman in the morning and were able to have a really good lesson on the importance of faith, and how we can build our faith when we do as the Lord commands. We then went out in the afternoon and knocked on a lot of people's houses in Burton that have been talked to by missionaries in the past, and so we wanted to follow up with them. We were able to talk to a less active, her name is Dora Juker. She is Hispanic and a super nice lady! A couple of the other people we tried to stop by weren't home so we just left them pass a long cards with our name and phone number to call us.
Friday was a great and amazing day! :) We had district council and interviews up in Kirtland at 11 am, so we left Middlefield at 10. I decided we should stop at Carol Bradshawss and see how she is doing since she got put on hospice a few weeks ago. She was awake when we went, but not too coherent. I felt prompted to ask her if we could give her a priesthood blessing. All of a sudden, it's like the heavens opened and she shook her head yes that she understood what I asked her. As I placed my hands on Carol's head to give her the blessing, I felt God placing His hands upon her head with me. I spoke the blessing and I felt such peace for Carol. As I closed the blessing and opened my eyes, I realized I was crying, and I looked into Carols eyes and she was crying too. I know she felt something, and she told me thank you as we left the room.
I have a testimony of the power of priesthood blessings. I know God gives us power to use His power, and we must do so worthily and with the love of our Heavenly Father in our hearts.
Saturday was a learning day for me in a few different ways. We went to a trailer park in Chardon to talk to 6 people who are potentials and as we were walking down the streets in the trailer park, a guy pulls up to us and asks who we are. I tell him we are missionaries and he immediately tells us to leave and that we can't be there. I ask him if he is the manager, and he says he is. He says no one wants to listen to us and to leave before he gets back. So we got in the car and drove away.
This is the 3rd trailer park I've been kicked out of in this area since I've been here. These experiences are hard, because there are about 18 or 19 people in these 3 parks and 3 or 4 in two apt complexes we have been kicked out of, that really need the Gospel in their lives. But it strengthens my testimony to know that God is aware of the situation and He just wants me to do my best. The gospel will roll forth to all nations, and we as His children are preparing His flocks for the day of His coming.
So after we got kicked out we went out to Chesterland which is about 25 miles west of Chardon. It's actually the border of the area and Solon area. We met with a couple out there who are members and it was super good! They have 2 dogs and one of them gave me a big fat kiss on the mouth with his slobbery face. We also had an amazing member support visit with the Wheatley family. They are a cool family! We shared the light the world video that invited people to invite someone to church for the Christmas Sunday.
Sunday was so amazing and spiritual and festive. The sacrament mtg was incredible! The primary kids and relief society sang a song. And we had 2 speakers speak on the light of Christ. And then President Nelson finished with a few of his own remarks. Also, I found out after church that it is tradition for the Chardon branch to buy gifts for the missionaries in this area and give them to the missionaries on Christmas Sunday. So they bought 5 or 6 gifts for each of us and gave them to us at church. This branch knows how to take care of the missionaries:) They are great people!
We went out with Maryana and Brother Hartman on Sunday afternoon and talked with the Stowe family, Brother Lavin, and the Johnson family. I have loved being able to go out on Sundays and see the members of the branch in a one-on-one encounter. I encourage and invite all of us to make it of high importance to see the members of our wards more often. They need US. They need people to come and minister to them. Ministering means to help and serve, as the Savior himself did. We ALL need each other.
I'm speaking in Sacrament Meeting next Sunday on that topic, of ministering. It is so important and I hope we will all take advantage of being able to go out to THE ONE who needs us.
It's Christmas this week! It's a weird feeling, with it being my first Christmas away from Salem, Utah, away from home. I'm so grateful for each of you, and for everything you do for me. And I'm so grateful for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He died so that we could live.
This week, I challenge us to live even as He lived. To minister to the one, and to help those in need. Christ said and continues to say, "Come follow me." Will we take the step in the direction of Christ? The answer should be always, YES! I know he will bless us as we do all that we can. Continue to pray and read your scriptures everyday. Continue to Make Gospel study a part of your everyday life. He needs us on His team. ALL OF US!
I know this Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I feel it and it burns in my heart more and more every day. I had a rough couple days this week, because I'm just so discouraged and sad that no one in this area seems to want to talk with us and we constantly get kicked out of places for doing what we are called to do. And then I stop and think . . . Christ was denied 3 times by Peter, and He was despised by His friends. It's never easy in the path of discipleship. These people of Ohio are very very firm in their beliefs and boy oh boy, they will let you know it too. But I know that I'm going to do all I can to bring the Ohio, His truth, which is life eternal. Christ set the example. He has already paid the price for all of our suffering. He only asks that we follow him, and help others to do the same.
"Come follow Me" - Hymn :) I invite us to listen to this song this week.
We are wanting to start teaching a Book of Mormon/Preach My Gospel class in the branch during the week. Probably on like a Thursday night, and we as the missionaries would teach it. We are just crossing our fingers that the Branch Presidency and branch council approves it. I love being able to give trainings and teach classes and so I'm so super hoping this gets approved so we can continue to strengthen the branch as a whole.
Is everyone ready for Christmas?! I am! :) I got all of your packages and they are sitting here right next to me on the couch as I am writing this, and I haven't even opened one of them yet (except I have used the creatine but it wasn't wrapped so I figured that was ok :)). I'm excited to open them on Christmas morning. I told Elder Stephens we should wake up at 4:30 am to open presents, but he didn't sound too excited. It'll probably be 6-ish ;).
I pray for you guys everyday and I miss you so much. This Christmas season is unlike any before, and I have come to feel my Savior's love as I'm out here in the Great Ohio Columbus Mission.
I'm so excited to talk to you all this week!! I have been telling the members here that it's weird and different that I'm on the end of the missionary skyping because I'm the youngest and so I'm always used to skyping my brothers on their missions hahaha :):) I can't wait for Wednesday! :)
I love you forever and always!
Elder Dylan :)
P.S. "Go and Do" - 2020 youth theme song.
Go and listen to this a lot of times. I invite us to make the committment right now, that though the world may shut Him out, I will make Him room :) Because, I know it will bless each of our lives :)
No comments:
Post a Comment