Hello family!
Last week we got a list of all of the Young Single Adults in our stake, and there were over 450 names on it. In our branch we have about 25-30 who come. Yes, we have work to do. So we've been meeting with Bishops in each of the wards to see who is actually active and who they would like us to work with the most. It's been a challenge trying to coordinate with 11 very busy bishops, but we're slowly working our way into the schedules.
We've also worked hard this week to find a decent map of our area. We finally talked to our Sister Training Leader, and she took the Elders map book, copied over 60 pages and then taped them together for us. It is flawless. And 3ft X 4ft. HUGE. We took it to a Fedex company and were able to make two copies of it. It's pretty legit. We also got a 12ft X7ft white board to keep track of all of our referrals and less actives. It's a project getting it all organized.
On Friday, (actually all week) I was feeling like a bum because our number count was so low for contacts and lessons and things, and I felt like I should ask for a blessing from the Elders. I felt like I should be able to do it, and didn't want to ask for help. I was reading a talk, Elder Hollands talk "I Believe" from this last conference, and at one point he said "When doubts and fears come, don't be afraid to ask for help." Written just for me. I felt like I'd been kicked a little bit, and I called my district leader. So my district leader, his companion, and our zone leader who was on an exchange with them, came over and gave me a blessing. Why does God always have to be right and know what's best for me? Everything that was said addressed everything that I couldn't cope with. Everything. I felt so humbled by the idea that God knew who I was, and He wasn't leaving me alone in this work. I was told not to focus on our numbers, because they weren't describing all of the things that we were working on in this area. God is so smart, isn't He?
The Elders are great too. After the blessing they burned down a beehive that was outside our door for us. There was a lot of hairspray, a lighter, and a LOT of excited yelling in Spanish. They're fun.
After the Broadcast last week, Sister Young had a bit of a chastening, we started talking and planning about our Branch, and we realized that we were asking for referrals and things from our members, but why on earth would they want to help us our work with us, if they felt like we only wanted to know their friends. The Lord loves all his children. Memebers and nonmemebers alike. And our Branch was struggling. We realized that we needed to build up our memebers testimonies before we could try and help them share their testimonies. And so we prayed. A lot. After praying all last week about how we could most help our Branch, we felt inspired to challenge them to read the Book of Mormon. In a month. Elder Bednar style. So we were able to get a box of Book of Mormons... OOHH, jumping back. First. Sister Young and I teach Gospel Principles on the Air Force Base, and the plan was to teach about Baptism this last Sunday, but we both felt like we should prepare to teach about the Book of Mormon. When we got to Base, we found out that since it was the 5th Sunday, we wouldn't be teaching, since they did something different. We were both pretty disappointed BUT. We got over to our Palo Alto YSA Branch, and our speakers didn't show up for sacrament meeting. So our bishop decided to speak and give his lesson planned for the second hour, and leave the whole second hour Sunday School period to the "Wonderful Sister Missionaries" instead of just the 10 mins he'd promised us to present our Book of Mormon challenge. CHOAS. PANIC. We had a 45 min lesson to teach instead of a 10 min challenge. WAHHH! Oh wait...we planned a lesson! On none other than the BOOK OF MORMON.
Boom. Mind Bomb. The Lord knows what He is doing. And He totally prepares a way. We just have to learn how to trust Him and not freak out in those blind moments. And so we gave an excellent lesson, handed out Book of Mormons, challenged them, and they accepted. It, will be INCREDIBLE to see the changes that will happen. The Lord's hand in is this work. No, the Lord's handS are in this work. Both of 'em. Because he is hastening his work.
So I bet you all want to know some fun facts now:
- The steet names here are...CRAZY. Really. They are too much for me sometimes. Things like "Just my Style" or "Enchanted Lane" or my Favorite "Cheyenne Star" yes. I finally found something with my name on it. Never found one of those dumb kay chains with my name on it, so I'll just take a road sign.
- I memorized D&C section 4. In a day. I wrote it on my bathroom mirror and then memorized it last week while doing my hair and make-up. It was really effective. Now, I'm trying to memorize it in Spanish. It's a bit harder. Whenever I'm holding still sometimes, and feel like I should be doing something, I practice saying the First vision in Spanish. I hope to memorize a lot more, and a lot faster. Now is the time to do it.
- Your new Mission President...President Ware...He's one of the uncles of an Elder in my MTC district, Elder Ware. He's here in Texas with me. SMALL WORLD. I think I told you that already. Elder Ware Told me in the MTC when he realized where I was from.
Well family. I love you. Y'all are so great. Take care.
Until Next week,
Hermana Montgomery
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