The importance of providing opportunities.
This past Saturday our investigator, Kathy, was baptized. The entire baptism was so inspired. Who spoke, who prayed, what was shared and felt, and of course who was baptized :) To know you've asked the right person, at the right time, to do the right thing means a lot. The most inspired decision I believe was who we asked to baptize Kathy. There are many men capable and I'm sure willing. Kathy said she had no preference, and those who knew her best were unable to come. But we prayed specifically for who to ask. We both had Clayton come to mind. Nothing big. No, "He's the one!" or "We've got to ask him!' Just, his name came to mind. A good person. A good thought. But we listened. Not questioning, Well, maybe it's just me or She doesn't know him very well. We simply acted on a good thought. We asked Clayton and he graciously accepted.
I cannot describe the happiness and joy I felt as he practiced with Kathy how he would baptize her, giving her words of comfort, and then as he they performed the actual ordinance. Knowing he was a returned missionary of some years I knew it would mean something to him. Yesterday in testimony meeting as he bore his testimony I realized just how important and special that experience was for him. He spoke of the memories and emotions that flooded back from his mission, how he hasn't baptized someone since. Spending two solid years teaching about Jesus Christ 24/7, helping others to follow His example by being baptized, and then coming home and not baptizing someone for 8 years. That is a long time. A huge change. (By the way, Kathy was so happy Clayton baptized her). There is a time and a season--for teaching the gospel to all strangers, for raising kids, for going to school, for each of these things (something we talked about yesterday with a sister in our ward who served a mission in Wisconsin :) I now reflect on how unique a privilege it is to be a missionary at this time, in this place, among these people.
I would encourage each of us to reflect on the season we're in. Where we have been and to what season we will enter next. How has the Lord guided you in each season of your life? Was He a light on the dark winter night? Was He a friend among many in a friend-harvesting fall? How have you been the Savior's hands? When He has called on you to be his eyes and hands, did you heed the call? What is He inviting you to do now? (Stop regretting all the times you ignored in the past). Are you plugging your spiritual ears to the beckoning of the Master's call? Let's not make a laundry list of what you've already done (or not done). Let's start with a clean slate. Take a minute or two to see what more you can do to be your best self, and I will, too.
There will never be another time in my life quite like this. I have been called by a prophet of God to share what I know. I know that this message is true. I hope I will continue to kindle the fire that I've built here long after I've gone home. I love being a missionary. I love the people. I love the Lord.
Have a blessed week,
Hermana McNeece
This past Saturday our investigator, Kathy, was baptized. The entire baptism was so inspired. Who spoke, who prayed, what was shared and felt, and of course who was baptized :) To know you've asked the right person, at the right time, to do the right thing means a lot. The most inspired decision I believe was who we asked to baptize Kathy. There are many men capable and I'm sure willing. Kathy said she had no preference, and those who knew her best were unable to come. But we prayed specifically for who to ask. We both had Clayton come to mind. Nothing big. No, "He's the one!" or "We've got to ask him!' Just, his name came to mind. A good person. A good thought. But we listened. Not questioning, Well, maybe it's just me or She doesn't know him very well. We simply acted on a good thought. We asked Clayton and he graciously accepted.
I cannot describe the happiness and joy I felt as he practiced with Kathy how he would baptize her, giving her words of comfort, and then as he they performed the actual ordinance. Knowing he was a returned missionary of some years I knew it would mean something to him. Yesterday in testimony meeting as he bore his testimony I realized just how important and special that experience was for him. He spoke of the memories and emotions that flooded back from his mission, how he hasn't baptized someone since. Spending two solid years teaching about Jesus Christ 24/7, helping others to follow His example by being baptized, and then coming home and not baptizing someone for 8 years. That is a long time. A huge change. (By the way, Kathy was so happy Clayton baptized her). There is a time and a season--for teaching the gospel to all strangers, for raising kids, for going to school, for each of these things (something we talked about yesterday with a sister in our ward who served a mission in Wisconsin :) I now reflect on how unique a privilege it is to be a missionary at this time, in this place, among these people.
I would encourage each of us to reflect on the season we're in. Where we have been and to what season we will enter next. How has the Lord guided you in each season of your life? Was He a light on the dark winter night? Was He a friend among many in a friend-harvesting fall? How have you been the Savior's hands? When He has called on you to be his eyes and hands, did you heed the call? What is He inviting you to do now? (Stop regretting all the times you ignored in the past). Are you plugging your spiritual ears to the beckoning of the Master's call? Let's not make a laundry list of what you've already done (or not done). Let's start with a clean slate. Take a minute or two to see what more you can do to be your best self, and I will, too.
There will never be another time in my life quite like this. I have been called by a prophet of God to share what I know. I know that this message is true. I hope I will continue to kindle the fire that I've built here long after I've gone home. I love being a missionary. I love the people. I love the Lord.
Have a blessed week,
Hermana McNeece