Family and friends!
It's been another wonderful week in Providence. And Sister Klecker continues to be ridiculously funny and understanding and lovable. And the weather is springy and beautiful. Oh... and we set 3 baptismal dates this week! So, life is awesome!
Highlights include:
-A rockstar Family Home Evening with Maya Johnson and her family. It was the first time I've really interacted with her mom (who's not a member) or her younger brothers (who are inactive). The Spirit was strong and we were able to bear powerful testimony of our Savior and his role in our Heavenly Father's plan for our happiness. (the video "Because of Him" oneaster.mormon.org is so good! We watched it as part of the lesson.) And then we had fun singing Primary songs while Sister Klecker played her ukelele. And then we played charades. It was fun to see Maya's family bonding and to reflect on how my relationship with my family has grown from many years of similar activities. I love my family! :)
-Funny story: We had dinner at the Fairbanks with George for one of his new member lessons and he was being his snobby sarcastic self, but Sister Klecker was feeding it right back to him. SO FUNNY! He finally got so annoyed that he flicked water on her and told her to consider herself baptized. Then she was like, "George, I'm not sitting in the splash zone!!" Pretty sure Sister Fairbank almost had a heart attack from the lack of propriety that was happening in her home. :)
-We had TWO (that's right, TWO!) lessons with Sherri Newton this week. (We're usually only able to meet once, if that). I still think she's on track to be baptized and that she recognizes what a huge blessing it will be for her and her son, but she is just so paralyzed by what others will think. We have to get her fellowshipped by the amazing young mothers in our branch and help her realize that she will have friends wherever she goes. And they will be better friends! She has started reading the Book of Mormon and praying again (she says she feels a "stable power" when she reads- YES!!!) and she came to church yesterday. She totally recognizes the Spirit (although, she did say that she prayed and felt like Heavenly Father told her she didnt' have to get baptized to make to the celestial kingdom... so we might need to help a bit there...) :) Please keep her in your prayers! She is on date for the 25th of May.
-We tracked down Kalyn and Mychelle and had a DTR with them and they both want to be baptized. So, we set a date with them for June 14th! (I think they can totally be ready before then- we'll see what we can do.) They also mentioned that some bullying has been keeping them from church (lame- we are taking care of that!), but they came to mutual on Thursday!
-The Cooper girls are still doing great! Lydia, who is 17, went to the Priest Laurel Conference in Albany, NY this weekend and got to go to the Sacred Grove. How cool is that?!?
-DID I MENTION THAT JERRY, (the inactive young man Sister Watts and I found a while ago), NOW IS A PRIEST AND IS TALKING ABOUT GOING ON A MISSION?!??! SUCH A MIRACLE!!!! :) :) :) :) :)
-We were finally able to visit a less-active couple, the Dorvals, who are Haitian and I spoke French with them and it was SO FUN!
-Have I mentioned how Sister Klecker has this amazing ability to make everyone laugh? It is SO fun!
-I was able to sing a duet with one of my favorite people, Kara Pellowe-Wagstaff, on Sunday. It was fun to perform! I miss singing all the time!
Easter as a missionary was so much more meaningful. Serving as a representative of Christ has really helped me to better understand what the promise of the Resurrection really means. I'm grateful to be growing in my knowledge and understanding of our Savior. As I pondered on it, I've realized that because of Christ, we are all free. And as we share the gospel with others, we are giving them access to that freedom. Freedom from guilt and the weight that comes from carrying it. Freedom from death and the sorrow that comes with not knowing that death is not the end. Freedom to live happily and to be complete and whole despite trials and difficulties in life. Freedom that comes only through truly knowing who we are and having a connection with our Heavenly Father and knowing His plan for us. How grateful I am for that freedom in my life and for the privilege of sharing it with others!
I love you all so very much and am so grateful to have you all in my life. Have a beautiful week!
Much love,
Sister Wheeler Jr.
No comments:
Post a Comment