Tender Mercy Week 3/5/2012

On Monday last week, I met Justin Bieber and we went to a graphic t-shirt place to pick up some shirts that say Chillicothe on them. We ended up talking to the guys that work there about the church and what we do as missionaries. Sister Barnum was able to leave them with a Book of Mormon and a mormon.org card with our information on it. Well we got a call on Tuesday from one of the guys saying that Sister Barnum's card actually go through and we didn't to go back to pay for it. They of course gave us a hard time, calling us con artist and we talked to them more about their questions about what we believe. As we sat there talking, a customer came in just to ask them a question but before he got to where we were standing, the guy told us "here ya go! Go get em!" expecting us to start teaching him after they were done! Haha. It was pretty funny cause of course we didn't feel like it was appropriate, didn't want to attack the poor guy and they gave us a hard time for not doing out jobs. It was a blessing for us because in most of the small town shops here we just get looked at and avoided. We were very grateful for the positive impact they had on us and that we could help them understand more about who we are and that we don't practice polygamy like they thought :)

Later on Tuesday we also met a couple of other potential investigators who opened their doors and talked with us for more than 2 min! It was a total surprise to us when a lady named Beth welcomed us right in and asked if she could set an appointment for us to come back! Another amazing miracle that day happened as we went to contact one of our investigators who wasn't home but his wife was and we could build a relationship with her. We talked on her front porch for almost an hour as it poured rain on us but she was open about her life/experiences and wanted to have us come back to visit with her too! The whole day on Tuesday was full of tender mercies for us and really showed us that anything is possible in this town. To top it off, that night we got the voice mail about transfers and we are both staying for at least another 6 more weeks!

What goes up must come down right? That is how the ending of our week went after the first 2 days but it was still full of some good tender mercies. On Thursday we ended up having 2 dinners because a mix up and I don't think I have ever been so full! We had pizza which I already am not the biggest fan of and then had to eat tacos later to help fellowship a member's friend. But that night to celebrate Sister Barnum being out for 9 months, we had a dance party by ourselves in our room to Popcorn Boppin :) Oh yes! Friday was a good day but a tough one at the same time. It was fun that morning because it randomly started snowing these HUGE snowflakes! It was awesome. We have an investigator who lives at this "retirement housing" which is more of a dorm room living for old people with mental problems. It is crazy, walking in you are greeted by older people sitting on couches in the front room who look confused, lost and medicated. Our investigator was placed there by the city because he had no where else to go and is the sweetest guy! He has been taught by missionaries in the past from even 4 years ago when he was in Kansas City and apparently the branch knows him very well. He stopped coming to church because he couldn't quit smoking and got angry because he really wanted to get baptized. Since we don't see anything holding us back from trying to teach him right now, we are going to keep teaching him and hope that maybe we are here to help him make that final jump. As a celebration for my 1 yr mark on Friday, we went to dinner at the Eyrings' who are the best family, I love their kids. Sister Eyring made some of my favorites, chicken, rice, a big ol salad, and topped it off with an Oreo dessert (more for sis Barnum on that one ha). But it was a fun way to celebrate my 1 yr mark and a good day overall.

Saturday we went to visit some members who live in a real retirement center and it was hilarious. A member named Alta had been placed there by her daughter the night before and just went on and on about the things she hates about being there. After standing there listening and talking to her for about 30 min, I gave her a challenge to be more positive. Her response was "well honey, that's gonna be real difficult! I'm a negative person!" Haha. The best part is she made it to church on Sunday and is hard of hearing so she doesn't know how loud she talks. One of the deacons was going to go back to make sure another member got the sacrament and she says out loud "why is he coming back? Did someone not get the sacrament? Did you get the sacrament, I got it! Someone must have not gotten it!" Hahah. Needless to say most of the branch was giggling by the end of it all. Sunday testimony meeting was really good though. A less active couple that we are visiting with every week was there and the wife got up to bare her testimony! She talked about how grateful she is for the church, how she knows that road blocks are placed in front of us to overcome but we have to do better at accepting it. It was really special and brought a big smile to my face just watching her stand up there. Sister Sperry, the family we live with, also bore her testimony. She is a convert to the church, joined with her husband in their 20's and is such a strong person. I admire her so much, she has such a grace about her and is full of so much love! I know we live with them because of her and her strong example she sets for me personally.

Overall, a great week. I was studying this morning in the Bible Dictionary on Faith and am always surprised about the power that comes from faith. It even says that faith is a word of action and power which is the absolute truth. Our faith will fall short when any doubt creeps in and will ultimately cause us to question our personal journey and progress which will not lead to any miracles or healing. Everyday I try to strengthen my faith, to overcome challenges and look at the positives of all that comes my way. I cant say that I have succeeded at having great faith but I do know that having a greater understanding and knowledge about it helps my testimony every day. If you haven't ever read about it in the Bible Dictionary, I highly recommend it :) I love you and am grateful SOOOOO much for your prayers and encouragement. I wouldn't overcome some of the challenges I face if it wasn't for your prayers.

Love,
Sista Larson