Dearest family and friends,
Thursday I had my favorite experience of my mission with the Stock family. I've wanted to help them since the first time we ate at their home months ago. They are all members but many are not active or somewhat-active in going to church or are shy about sharing their testimonies. Thursday, however, the mom left for a RS activity and we stayed to roleplay and talk with them about sharing the gospel with their friends. We invited everyone to practice 10-second testimonies (e.g. I know going to church helps me deal with the problems and challenges I face during the week). They fumbled a little and started out almost embarrassed but at they started sharing them they grew in confidence and realized they really do believe what they are saying. We came to the dad who tried to joke and pass on his turn but we just asked some questions about if church helps him or if the gospel strengthens his family. As he thought about it and started answering our questions he began to bear a simple testimony, and as he gained courage and knowledge he turned to his children and bore the most strong and simple powerful testimony I have heard since being on my mission. Up to that point I don't know that his children had ever heard their dad bear his testimony aloud. That night I do not doubt that each of those teenage children knew that their dad knew this Church is true and that it is through the Gospel that our families will live together forever.
Saturday we met the neatest mom ever! The second house we went to we found Ingrid. She loves reading and is excited to start reading The Book of Mormon this week. She had prayed for a job that would be fulfilling and would allow her to serve others--and now she works at a non-profit that repairs homes for seniors and those with disabilities. The one thing she really wanted us to pray for was that her son would find motivation, as he is preparing to finish HS and venture into the world "because [she] can't do everything for him. He has to learn to do it himself." I love that she is specific and wise in what she prays for because she knows she will receive it!
I love our Heavenly Father and I know that it is through bearing our testimonies that we find them.
God Bless,
Hermana McNeece
Thursday I had my favorite experience of my mission with the Stock family. I've wanted to help them since the first time we ate at their home months ago. They are all members but many are not active or somewhat-active in going to church or are shy about sharing their testimonies. Thursday, however, the mom left for a RS activity and we stayed to roleplay and talk with them about sharing the gospel with their friends. We invited everyone to practice 10-second testimonies (e.g. I know going to church helps me deal with the problems and challenges I face during the week). They fumbled a little and started out almost embarrassed but at they started sharing them they grew in confidence and realized they really do believe what they are saying. We came to the dad who tried to joke and pass on his turn but we just asked some questions about if church helps him or if the gospel strengthens his family. As he thought about it and started answering our questions he began to bear a simple testimony, and as he gained courage and knowledge he turned to his children and bore the most strong and simple powerful testimony I have heard since being on my mission. Up to that point I don't know that his children had ever heard their dad bear his testimony aloud. That night I do not doubt that each of those teenage children knew that their dad knew this Church is true and that it is through the Gospel that our families will live together forever.
Saturday we met the neatest mom ever! The second house we went to we found Ingrid. She loves reading and is excited to start reading The Book of Mormon this week. She had prayed for a job that would be fulfilling and would allow her to serve others--and now she works at a non-profit that repairs homes for seniors and those with disabilities. The one thing she really wanted us to pray for was that her son would find motivation, as he is preparing to finish HS and venture into the world "because [she] can't do everything for him. He has to learn to do it himself." I love that she is specific and wise in what she prays for because she knows she will receive it!
I love our Heavenly Father and I know that it is through bearing our testimonies that we find them.
God Bless,
Hermana McNeece