We visited some houses and
contacted door-to-door but no one really showed interest. Then we had a lesson
with Olga and Edgar and since they have been taught all of the lessons, we are
kind of re-teaching in a more “Come Follow Me” way where they teach a lot of
the lesson. We talked about the atonement. In dad’s email, he shared a lot
about how the atonement isn’t just for judgement day but how we all have access
to it and should be using it all the time. It’s not just for sins, but also to
enable us. I shared a lot of what Dad wrote to me with them and Edgar liked the
part about the gospel and how it’s here to make bad men good and good men
better. Everyone needs to change so everyone needs the atonement.
I
love how God prepares people so perfectly (thought-email-Dad-me-Edgar) all in
one day. God sure knows what he is doing.
Woah,
we had a lesson with JOSE – HE IS INCREDIBLE. Every time we go with a different
member and every time he shares the story of how he was sitting on his couch
thinking, “Okay, this year I’m going to change. I need to be better. I’m ready
to grow spiritually.” Then we knocked on his door. I love this because he knows
that God sent us. He reads the Book of Mormon and relates it to his life. He
reminds me of Juan Pablo.
Other
than him, we visited 4 less actives! We taught the Plan of Salvation to a lot
of them. And forgiveness. The Spirit was so sweet and so strong. It’s amazing
to see their countenance change when they let the spirit touch their hearts and
decide that it is time to come back. It’s a slow step-by-step process, but when
they are willing to try, the power of God intervenes, and hearts are changed,
strength is gained, and miracles happen.
Then
in the night we went to the Rojas family’s house so I could teach their son
something on the piano. In that short 30 minute lesson I learned SO MUCH about
the gospel. I learned about repentance, and grace, and the key role of our
Savior in God’s plan of happiness. I learned about patience, the purpose of
change, and how we are agents not objects. My favorite thing that I learned is
something that we hear every week. Every sacrament prayer. When we promise God
not to be perfect but to be “WILLING.” The only way God can help us change is
through us being willing. If William Rojas wasn’t willing to try again after
messing up, he would never learn piano. If he wasn’t willing to take it slow,
step-by-step, he would never become better at piano. If we aren’t willing to
try again, and again, and again, we are never going to progress. God will never
be able to change us, and we will never become like HIM. In Spanish there’s a
saying, “creer es poder,” which means “to believe is power.” When we believe or
even desire to believe, we can change or learn or BECOME anything!
We
had a special zone conference with President Harris in Curico. It was
INCREDIBLE. We learned about how to better teach the doctrine of Christ. We
talked about how this should be part of every lesson (restoration, plan of
salvation, tithing, etc) and not just Lesson 3, The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
President is amazing and so powerful and so full of love. He started the
meeting and got going in his welcome speech and saw an Elder that he hadn’t
greeted, and stopped everything and walked back to this Elder and said, “Elder
Steenblik, I haven’t hugged you yet.” Then he shook his hand and hugged him. He
said, “Thanks for coming. It’s good to see you.” Then President walked back up
and continued his speech. It was so simple but it showed that he really does
love each one of us – by NAME just like our Savior does.
One
day this week we didn’t enter a single house. NO ONE was home. We visited so
many people, but they were literally all gone. It was so so hot. The best part
is that we talked to everyone we could. We gave away copies of the Book of
Mormon and contacted lots of people. It was hot and the day was forever long,
but we were just filled with joy the whole time. Mom doesn’t have to worry
because we reapply sunscreen many times a day and we have been reaching our
goal of drinking 3 liters of water each every day. These are some good times.
P.S.
I just adore Hermana Christensen with all of my heart… that is all.
Our watch tan lines
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