There has been a lot going on here in New London. I
love this place, the people and my companion now so much and in such little
time. It has been one of the hardest things so far in my mission, but it has
been amazing to see the Lord's hands in my life guiding and directing me in all
that I am doing here.
This past week we had 44 people at church! It was our
branch conference and so the Stake Presidency came down, and it was really
good. We had 4 non-members at sacrament that a member brought, and we have
an appointment set up with them this next week.
At church on Sunday, before
everything started, there was a sister there who was having a hard time and
asked if we could give her a blessing. It was a beautiful blessing and after,
she wanted to talk to us. It was hard to hear everything she had been through,
but the love that I had for this women I just met, increased greatly and it
was amazing to have the Spirit work through me to say the things that she
needed to hear and guide her to our loving Banch President for advice. It warmed
my heart even more to see her after church and see her Spirit uplifted and to
just let her know that we are there for her. On Sunday, the love I have for all the
members doubled, it was truly an amazing Sunday. By the way, our Branch Pres. is
the brother of Juan Diego who was in my first area in Bridgeport. His wife is
also the daughter of people I knew back there. So it is cool to hear how
everyone is doing back there in Bridgeport.
On Saturday we were able to go to
the temple because we had a youth trip up there to do baptisms for the dead. It
was a great experience to get to know the youth more and I love any
opportunity we get to go to the Temple anyway =D. While we were there I saw
Elder Sompii, Freeman, and Sousa, along with members from Revere ward. That was
a nice little treat. They had taken a recent convert to the Temple for his 1st
time. It was awesome to see them all and hear about what is going on in Revere
now. All the hard work we started last transfer has taken off!!!! To where 6
missionaries do not have the time to do everything they need to and are going
on splits with members every day and still are not able to get everything done
and meet with everyone they need to! It is so awesome to hear that!
Elder Pope
and I have been getting around to meet with people, so I can get to know them. As of right now we are going to try and do the same thing we did in Revere down
here. Work with the members and get the branch to be a place where all the less
actives feel welcomed and wanted again and then also have them focus on finding
people for us and getting excited about this great work! So, we shall see how it
all works out. It will be a little hard because most of our active members work
a ton and crazy schedules as well, but it is possible.
The stake is wanting
our branch to focus on our less actives anyway, so it should be great.
I know that the Lord is very aware of each and every one of
us and our situations. I know that He may not always answer us when we
want to be answered or when we think that we need His help, but He always is
there in our greatest time of need. I have seen that so much in my life and
especially lately. He can, if we let him, increase our capacity to do, to love,
and to understand. But, we need to put our trust and faith in him, even when it
seems that He is stretching us beyond what we can bear.
I know that He loves
each and every one of us more than we can ever comprehend and that truly the
best way we can come close to taste this love, even in the smallest degree, is
by serving others and putting them first.
I love this gospel so much! I love
my Savior, Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for all that He does, and continues
to do for me and everyone of us. I know that those who trust Him, and look
forward with faith will be supported in all their trials. I know with all my
hear and soul that He lives for I have felt his presence so many times in my
life, picking me up and helping me to continue, when I myself had nothing else
to give.
So, the invitation I leave with all of you reading this, who are
laboring and are heavy laden, is to turn to your Savior Jesus Christ, and I
promise you that He will give you rest. I leave these things with all of you,
in the sacred name, of Jesus Christ, amen.
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