Interesting Week!!

Hey everyone!

So this week has been an intersting one. The district and zone leaders had training on tuesday, and since im companions with the district leader, I had to go on exchange with the other district leader's companion...so I was in Burton-on-trent from monday evening until wednesday morning. Then we had district meeting and interviews with the mission president on wednesday so that was fun. Then for the rest of the day of wednesday, I was on exchange again, but this time I was back in my own area. The exchange was fun. We were able to teach this less-active lady with her investigator partner. We taught them the importance of daily individual and family prayer using Enos 1:4 and they committed to praying daily! Finally on thursday, I was back with Elder Smith in our area after pretty much being away from him for 2.5 days. Funny side comment: I always laugh when people compare missionary companionships as an old married couple because we are with each other all the time and always have these silly little arguments...sad thing is that its true. It felt weird not being with my companion for that long. I guess the saying that the mission will prepare you for married life is true hahahahaha Hmmm....

Anywaysss, so we had a unique teaching experience with a member. We had planned to teach an investigator the Gospel of Jesus Christ using 2 Nephi 31 on thursday using a member to back us up with testimony, but boy did that not happen. The member we took out with us, Bro. Ball, is kinda weird and always tells unneccessary stories during the lesson, I think just to get attention. If we had another choice, we would have gotten a different member to come with us, but nobody else could. So anyways, we only had 30 minutes to teach so we told Bro. Ball that we would jump right into the lesson when we got to her house. We went into her home and just had the small conversation to catch up on her life since the last time we were there. Well, Bro. Ball decided to extend the conversation and talk about his phobias in comparison to her phobias. They talked about how they dont like spiders. Then Bro. Ball asked if she liked snakes, explaining how he has a pet king snake at home. He then talked about how he fed the snake a few days ago and that he fed it dead mice. Then he told us how the mice were already dead and how he had to thaw them out before feeding them to the snake. I dont know about any of yall, but this is not the way that I like to invite the spirit in the home before teaching...hahaha Needless to say, we didnt get to teach the lesson.

Luckily enough, the lesson that we had with Her on saturday made up for all of what happened on thursday. We brought Bro. Russell with us this time to teach. We still followed the same lesson plan and taught the gospel using the Book of Mormon. Oh boy was it a good lesson! Lousie asked a lot of good questions, which we were able to answer and she accepted everything we taught! And even better yet, she read 2 Nephi 31 prior to the lesson and said she really liked the chapter. We tried again to commit her to a specific baptismal date, but she still isnt ready. Bro. Russell told a couple stories about when he was investigating the church and how he had some of the same emotions as she is having. He bore his testimony to her when the spirit was there and I know that is really made Louise think about baptism. We are pretty much done teaching her the lessons, now we just have to teach her the commandments and she will have been taught everything! I dont think it will be too long before she and Megan receive a baptismal date. I will let everyone know how things go this week.

Time for a spiritual thought :) So I read this talk by Elder Andersen from a General Conference Ensign entitled "You Know Enough." I want to talk about a quote from his talk, "As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enourmous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. Fear adn faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In our days of difficulties, we choose the road of faith. Jesus said, "Be not afraid, only believe." When I read this quote, it made me think of all the members of the church who want to share the gospel with their friends and loved ones. It made me refelect on when I was going through these same feelings. We shouldnt feel like we are inadequate in our spiritual strength or that we need to be all knowing when we share the gospel with others (D&C 50: 24). We know that if we choose faith over fear, we can accomplish all things. My challenge to everyone this week is to share a truth of the gospel to anyone, or even better with someone that is close to you. If you have this desire and pray for the strenth to do it, you will receive help from ministring angels. I testify this to be true, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I hope everyone has a wondeful week full of recognised blessings! I want to leave just one more quote with you from Elder Wirthlin: "The secret is simple: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to HIm."

-Elder Jaquish