Hey Y'all!
I hope y'all have been having a great week! This week has been all over the place for Sister Porter and I. But we both are learning and growing together.
I haven't shared much about who we are teaching, so i will do my best to describe the people here and how much they truly are progressing :)
Ariel: Ariel is a sweet 24 year old single mother of three little munchkins. Kiley (5) Patrick (3) and Lukas (18months). They are the cutes little kids ever! They are just full of so much personality! They love when we come over because they like to take pictures with our cameras. Ariel is going to cosmetology school in Chipley. So we have a few things in common. Its fun to ask her how school was and talk about how much we dislike perms haha. She is super good at anything with hair though! Hopefully we can find time for her to cut my hair soon!
Ariel has been going through a rough time lately. She has just felt very alone and overwhelmed. The other day after our lesson on Faith and Repentance, she text us. She told us that she was just praying to know if she would be okay and if her family would be okay. She then flipped open the scriptures to a random spot and started reading. She turned right to Alma 37: 32-37 which reads: "And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity. Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls. O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." It was wonderful to see that she is praying and turning to the scriptures for guidance. She is such a strong woman! The spirit is working on her, she just has to allow that Spirit into her heart. Sadly, she wasn't able to attend church this week due to being sick, but she has been to church every other week since i have been here in bonifay. She is just the sweetest lady you will ever meet. She has been through some rough times in her life, but seems to always pull out with some positivity.
Liz: Liz is a daughter to a recent convert in the Bonifay ward. She is 54 and moved back with her mother due to her mother having health issues. She is so eager to learn everything she can. It is awesome! She had a baptismal date picked out for Feb. 27th, but couldn't attend church enough times to keep that date. But she didn't let that discourage her. She is on the right path. She is doing everything she needs to to be ready for the waters of baptism. I really admire that she is just taking her time and making sure she is comfortable and truly converted before she makes any decisions. Her mother has been less active since she was baptized in June, so it is wonderful to see the effect that Liz has on her mother. They came to church yesterday and LOVED it. So this week we are planning to set a baptismal date with her because she has been thinking and praying about it.
Mikayla: Mikayla is a sweet 18 year old girl we picked up just yesterday. She was being taught the discussions by some other sisters in a different stake. Mikayla comes to church with her grandparents every week in bonifay, so the other sisters said it would probably be best if we taught her since she will be wanting to be baptized in Bonifay. We had an amazing lesson with her yesterday afternoon. She too is just eager to learn all that she can. She is wanting to be baptized sometime in March before Easter, so it will be coming up pretty quick :) She is just amazing. She has a strong spirit about her and has the desire to draw near to Christ.
We have a few less active members we have been working with. They are loving the Book of Mormon and the power of prayer. It is so amazing to me how much our Father in Heaven and the Savior are there for them without them even realizing it. It just proves that they know us each individually. They know our hopes, desires, and trials. They are drawing nearer and nearer to them as they humble themselves and draw nearer to Heavenly Father and Christ.
I am just feeling so blessed to be part of such a great work. The Lord is mindful of all of his children. I am just so privileged to be the tool or vessel that the Lord uses in this area. I am learning so much from the scriptures as i study them with the intent of learning how i can help the people here in Bonifay. They are wonderful!
This saturday, we did some service at Brother and Sister Kelly's. He likes to make us breakfast before he works us. So this week he made grits and eggs with sausage and biscuits. Oh my goodness... that just might be my new favorite breakfast. Sadly i forgot to take a picture, but just know that it was delicious! We hauled some tree limbs and cleared out the large pieces of wood from the trees they cut down. It was a blast.
This week has just been filled with the Love of the Lord. 2 Nephi 25:26,28,29 ; 2 Nephi 26:33 reads, And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. 28 And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.
29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out. 33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
Christ is not going to deny anyone the chance to come unto him and embrace to joy that comes from his Gospel and Plan of Happiness. I am so grateful for our Savior and the knowledge we have of his infinite atoning sacrifice. The gift of repentance is one that has truly blessed my life and one that i can see blesses others. It is only through Christ all things are possible.
Have a Blessed week Y'all!
Love,
Sister Melissa Jean Wood
I hope y'all have been having a great week! This week has been all over the place for Sister Porter and I. But we both are learning and growing together.
I haven't shared much about who we are teaching, so i will do my best to describe the people here and how much they truly are progressing :)
Ariel: Ariel is a sweet 24 year old single mother of three little munchkins. Kiley (5) Patrick (3) and Lukas (18months). They are the cutes little kids ever! They are just full of so much personality! They love when we come over because they like to take pictures with our cameras. Ariel is going to cosmetology school in Chipley. So we have a few things in common. Its fun to ask her how school was and talk about how much we dislike perms haha. She is super good at anything with hair though! Hopefully we can find time for her to cut my hair soon!
Ariel has been going through a rough time lately. She has just felt very alone and overwhelmed. The other day after our lesson on Faith and Repentance, she text us. She told us that she was just praying to know if she would be okay and if her family would be okay. She then flipped open the scriptures to a random spot and started reading. She turned right to Alma 37: 32-37 which reads: "And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity. Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls. O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." It was wonderful to see that she is praying and turning to the scriptures for guidance. She is such a strong woman! The spirit is working on her, she just has to allow that Spirit into her heart. Sadly, she wasn't able to attend church this week due to being sick, but she has been to church every other week since i have been here in bonifay. She is just the sweetest lady you will ever meet. She has been through some rough times in her life, but seems to always pull out with some positivity.
Liz: Liz is a daughter to a recent convert in the Bonifay ward. She is 54 and moved back with her mother due to her mother having health issues. She is so eager to learn everything she can. It is awesome! She had a baptismal date picked out for Feb. 27th, but couldn't attend church enough times to keep that date. But she didn't let that discourage her. She is on the right path. She is doing everything she needs to to be ready for the waters of baptism. I really admire that she is just taking her time and making sure she is comfortable and truly converted before she makes any decisions. Her mother has been less active since she was baptized in June, so it is wonderful to see the effect that Liz has on her mother. They came to church yesterday and LOVED it. So this week we are planning to set a baptismal date with her because she has been thinking and praying about it.
Mikayla: Mikayla is a sweet 18 year old girl we picked up just yesterday. She was being taught the discussions by some other sisters in a different stake. Mikayla comes to church with her grandparents every week in bonifay, so the other sisters said it would probably be best if we taught her since she will be wanting to be baptized in Bonifay. We had an amazing lesson with her yesterday afternoon. She too is just eager to learn all that she can. She is wanting to be baptized sometime in March before Easter, so it will be coming up pretty quick :) She is just amazing. She has a strong spirit about her and has the desire to draw near to Christ.
We have a few less active members we have been working with. They are loving the Book of Mormon and the power of prayer. It is so amazing to me how much our Father in Heaven and the Savior are there for them without them even realizing it. It just proves that they know us each individually. They know our hopes, desires, and trials. They are drawing nearer and nearer to them as they humble themselves and draw nearer to Heavenly Father and Christ.
I am just feeling so blessed to be part of such a great work. The Lord is mindful of all of his children. I am just so privileged to be the tool or vessel that the Lord uses in this area. I am learning so much from the scriptures as i study them with the intent of learning how i can help the people here in Bonifay. They are wonderful!
This saturday, we did some service at Brother and Sister Kelly's. He likes to make us breakfast before he works us. So this week he made grits and eggs with sausage and biscuits. Oh my goodness... that just might be my new favorite breakfast. Sadly i forgot to take a picture, but just know that it was delicious! We hauled some tree limbs and cleared out the large pieces of wood from the trees they cut down. It was a blast.
This week has just been filled with the Love of the Lord. 2 Nephi 25:26,28,29 ; 2 Nephi 26:33 reads, And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. 28 And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.
29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out. 33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
Christ is not going to deny anyone the chance to come unto him and embrace to joy that comes from his Gospel and Plan of Happiness. I am so grateful for our Savior and the knowledge we have of his infinite atoning sacrifice. The gift of repentance is one that has truly blessed my life and one that i can see blesses others. It is only through Christ all things are possible.
Have a Blessed week Y'all!
Love,
Sister Melissa Jean Wood
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