Called to Serve

This week was pretty crazy! We have been experiencing some difficulty due to my companion being under the weather. But we had a great time attending Zone Training. They taught us how we can more effectively do missionary work this time of year. So that was very helpful. We also were introduced to "Zwickify" Elder Zwik of the Seventy toured the mission about a year ago and taught how we can simplify and intensify our teaching as missionaries.

Sister Peterson and I have put "Zwickify-ing" to the test.... and IT WORKS!! It is awesome! I have found that as I study with the intent of teaching a very simple and powerful lesson, I learn so much more. I am then able to teach it simply to others without word vommiting all over the place like I do so often haha

We used this approach when we taught our awesome investigators, Jonathan and Blessing, the Plan of Salvation. We even had a fancy visual. They LOVED it!!! The Spirit was so strong as we testified of this perfect plan our Father in Heaven made for us. The plan of salvation just made so much sense to them, and answered a lot of questions that they both had. Jonathan is determined to do baptisms for those diceased members in his family that did not have the opportunity to know and follow Jesus Christ. Jonathan has promised us that once he is well, he will be baptized. So we are doing all we can to strengthen his faith as we teach him and his wife the simple truths of the Gospel. I believe that Heavenly Father is making him ill to humble him. He is a very knowledgeable man. He went to college to become a revernd, so he knows the bible like nobody's business. I believe he is being humbled so that he will be able to really listen to what we have to share with him. If he was well, I don't think we would get a word in. But because he is relying solely on his spirit and how he feels about what we teach, he is able to understand it and accept it.

I am so grateful for this Gospel. I am also grateful that I get to be a part of this miraculous plan that our Father in Heaven has layed out for us. All he wants is for us to be happy and to return to him. I know that we are the happiest when we are striving to be like our savior Jesus Christ. As we follow his example of caring for others and his unwavering obedience, we are the happiest we could ever be.

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families. Not only am I seeing how it blesses the families of those we teach, but I am seeing how it has blessed my own family and how it will bless the family I have to come. I am so grateful to have been raised by parents who taught how important the gospel is. I am grateful that they taught us to pray, study the scriptures, and keep the sabbath day holy. I am most grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful family full of people who have the greatest desire to follow or Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Have a great week! Remember what matters most! :)

Love,

Sister Melissa Jean Wood

Florida Tallahassee Mission

Sisters in the Pensacola Zone

They are awesome!