This week has been the most fulfilling of any on my mission. Another 2 exchanges with the most wonderful sisters in the mission. One of the sisters from Boiling Springs came down here (to Spartanburg) and we had a great finish to our night by visiting Jeffery. He hadn't been to church for about a year and we started visiting him shortly after Sister Derrick and I got here. We've seen (him) almost every week, often multiple times. Soon after, on of the members he was good friends with started getting phone calls from him saying he wanted to start coming back. He hacked out a number of times but then we had the fall festival on Halloween which he'd been looking forward to for weeks.
Halloween came and the member gave him a ride to the festival. Jeffery lit up and got busy introducing himself to everyone. He had so much fun. *As a side note, I believe Jeff is slightly autistic or similar to that* He got a ride to church and was so busy introducing himself we hardly saw him for more than a few minutes.
The best part though was when he found us after church and said we couldn't go see him today, he was going home teaching! He just melted all our hearts. :) In his prayers he always thanks Heavenly Father for sending the sisters and asks that we'll be blessed. One thing I am so thankful for is how comfortable people are with praying in the south; it's not weird.
Back to exchanges, we went to Jeffery's and we ask him how the Cardinals are doing (because that's where Sis. Derrick is from). Then I ask him if he knows where the "new sister" is from.
"No. Where?"
"Arizona."
"Oooh, no." :)
Some people are just born to make others happy. Jeffery is one of them.
Thursday I went on exchanges to Greer with one of my MTC sisters. We had such a good time. My favorite was teaching a guy with a name from Tarzan, while freezing on his porch for a half hour. I got to relate him fixing his car to Nephi breaking his bow. :D
Friday, we were almost finished burning the cadle at both ends and still had the weekend to go--the most rewarding and exhausting time of the week. Had the fastest weekly planning session of my life. Then had a hobbit's meal at Denny's with a member from 2nd ward.
*Speaking of members, Dad do you know anyone from Venezuela with the last name "Dezzeo"? I found out one of the sisters in 2nd ward's last name is Dezzeo and is from Venezuela! **
Saturday...
ELDER BEDNAR CAME!
We all had an amazing experience. To get to know an apostle as a human being is a unique experience. What stood out to me the most was how little he spoke. He mostly asked questions, including answering our questions with questions...just like the Savior. He shared a few stories, maybe three; it really was us answering our own questions, or rather creating an environment in which the Spirit could answer all of our questions throughout the night.
The two main points throughout the night were 1) How to get out of the way to the Spirit can teach and 2) How to jump out of the boat, like Peter, every time.
Elder Bednar was just in the Congo (where there are no missionaries) and a bishop came to him with the issue that they have 30+ confirmations at sacrament meeting each week, taking up all the time. Bishop, he told him, the ordinances are the most important thing you could be doing--sacraments is an ordinace; confirmation is an ordinance--if you have to get rid of speakers, they can learn at home; if you have to get rid of Sunday School they can learn at home. Ordinances are the most important thing yo could be doing.
The SCCM (South Carolina Columbia Mission) is also the only mission E. Bednar knows of an apostle visiting twice. At the very least, the only one he has visited twice and two years in a row at that. He asked what those who'd been here last year what they had done, changed , and learned since last time.
Then he brought up getting out of the way of the Spirit. Those silent moments aren't always screaming "fill me up!". That's often when the Spirit speaks directly to them. Also, you should always be checking for THEIR understanding. The Spirit can't testify of truth if the person doesn't understand correctly the principle or truth that is being taught. Above all: You are not the teacher. The Spirit is the teacher. You are there to set the environment so that the Spirit can speak and testify to that person in a way the person connecting to the Spirit will receive the revelation the Lord needs to give them.
Learning to "jump out of the boat." When the Lord prompts you to do, say or change something--do it! My analogy, if you don't heed promptings continually it's like leaving an instrument to get rusty on the shelf, only to be taken down for special occassions (e.g. when you are sure there will be a big miracle or blessing). But when you use the instrument consistantly (heeding all promptings and repenting of ones you ignore) you are in good shape and work smoothly when the stakes are higher.
Well, after this 3 hour spiritual overload we all headed home with our minds about to explode. We made it, to bed at about 11:30--definately not used to!--Soon to be followed by 6 hrs. of church. After all 3 of us exerting all efforts to stay awake in Relief Society, we made it home and literally collapsed on the floor, not even able to make it to our beds. A scripture I had read just the day previous came to my remembrance--"Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength". 1 Nephi 17:47. At no other time have I been able to relate to prophets in such a manner.
I love y'all...
Mission conferences are week of Dec. 17-19. Packages will be dispersed then for Christmas.
Love Y'ALL!
Sister Hermana McNeece
(BIG SMILEY FACE!!)
Halloween came and the member gave him a ride to the festival. Jeffery lit up and got busy introducing himself to everyone. He had so much fun. *As a side note, I believe Jeff is slightly autistic or similar to that* He got a ride to church and was so busy introducing himself we hardly saw him for more than a few minutes.
The best part though was when he found us after church and said we couldn't go see him today, he was going home teaching! He just melted all our hearts. :) In his prayers he always thanks Heavenly Father for sending the sisters and asks that we'll be blessed. One thing I am so thankful for is how comfortable people are with praying in the south; it's not weird.
Back to exchanges, we went to Jeffery's and we ask him how the Cardinals are doing (because that's where Sis. Derrick is from). Then I ask him if he knows where the "new sister" is from.
"No. Where?"
"Arizona."
"Oooh, no." :)
Some people are just born to make others happy. Jeffery is one of them.
Thursday I went on exchanges to Greer with one of my MTC sisters. We had such a good time. My favorite was teaching a guy with a name from Tarzan, while freezing on his porch for a half hour. I got to relate him fixing his car to Nephi breaking his bow. :D
Friday, we were almost finished burning the cadle at both ends and still had the weekend to go--the most rewarding and exhausting time of the week. Had the fastest weekly planning session of my life. Then had a hobbit's meal at Denny's with a member from 2nd ward.
*Speaking of members, Dad do you know anyone from Venezuela with the last name "Dezzeo"? I found out one of the sisters in 2nd ward's last name is Dezzeo and is from Venezuela! **
Saturday...
ELDER BEDNAR CAME!
We all had an amazing experience. To get to know an apostle as a human being is a unique experience. What stood out to me the most was how little he spoke. He mostly asked questions, including answering our questions with questions...just like the Savior. He shared a few stories, maybe three; it really was us answering our own questions, or rather creating an environment in which the Spirit could answer all of our questions throughout the night.
The two main points throughout the night were 1) How to get out of the way to the Spirit can teach and 2) How to jump out of the boat, like Peter, every time.
Elder Bednar was just in the Congo (where there are no missionaries) and a bishop came to him with the issue that they have 30+ confirmations at sacrament meeting each week, taking up all the time. Bishop, he told him, the ordinances are the most important thing you could be doing--sacraments is an ordinace; confirmation is an ordinance--if you have to get rid of speakers, they can learn at home; if you have to get rid of Sunday School they can learn at home. Ordinances are the most important thing yo could be doing.
The SCCM (South Carolina Columbia Mission) is also the only mission E. Bednar knows of an apostle visiting twice. At the very least, the only one he has visited twice and two years in a row at that. He asked what those who'd been here last year what they had done, changed , and learned since last time.
Then he brought up getting out of the way of the Spirit. Those silent moments aren't always screaming "fill me up!". That's often when the Spirit speaks directly to them. Also, you should always be checking for THEIR understanding. The Spirit can't testify of truth if the person doesn't understand correctly the principle or truth that is being taught. Above all: You are not the teacher. The Spirit is the teacher. You are there to set the environment so that the Spirit can speak and testify to that person in a way the person connecting to the Spirit will receive the revelation the Lord needs to give them.
Learning to "jump out of the boat." When the Lord prompts you to do, say or change something--do it! My analogy, if you don't heed promptings continually it's like leaving an instrument to get rusty on the shelf, only to be taken down for special occassions (e.g. when you are sure there will be a big miracle or blessing). But when you use the instrument consistantly (heeding all promptings and repenting of ones you ignore) you are in good shape and work smoothly when the stakes are higher.
Well, after this 3 hour spiritual overload we all headed home with our minds about to explode. We made it, to bed at about 11:30--definately not used to!--Soon to be followed by 6 hrs. of church. After all 3 of us exerting all efforts to stay awake in Relief Society, we made it home and literally collapsed on the floor, not even able to make it to our beds. A scripture I had read just the day previous came to my remembrance--"Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength". 1 Nephi 17:47. At no other time have I been able to relate to prophets in such a manner.
I love y'all...
Mission conferences are week of Dec. 17-19. Packages will be dispersed then for Christmas.
Love Y'ALL!
Sister Hermana McNeece
(BIG SMILEY FACE!!)