Hey Y'all!
This week was an eventful one, that is for sure. Highs, Lows, and many feelings in between. It was hard for me to be fully motivated this week. I have been suffering from a head cold for the past week or so. Apparently I am allergic to the peanut dust and cotton. I only know that because it is harvest time right now in Sweet Home Alabama. Regardless, Heavenly Father has definitely provided me with a lot of strength and energy when I needed it.
In
my studies this week I was reading Alma 32 to freshen up on my efforts
of having greater faith. I realized that sometimes we are compelled to
be humble so that we can cultivate a new and fresh faith. I am so
grateful for that. I am so grateful that I have the knowledge that
Heavenly Father knows me and loves me enough to help me grow.
This week we had the sad event of our BCD (Baptism and Confirmation Date) with Chris dropping. We met with Chris and were excited to teach him the lesson we prepared about the Plan of Salvation. When we got there, the spirit was just letting us know something was off. As the appointment rolled forward, Chris expressed to us that he no longer wants to get baptized because he wants to remain a baptist. We asked if we could share one last lesson with him in hopes that the plan of salvation would resolve some of his concerns. As we taught and testified of precious truths, we could tell that Chris was just not listening. He had is head in his hands, looking down at the table the entire time we were talking. Whenever we would ask him a question, he wouldn't even look at us. He would just shrug his shoulders, and utter "I don't know." At that point all we could do was share our love with him and boldly testify of Jesus Christ. We testified that this is his church that has been restored to the earth by the prophet Joseph Smith. We testified that God new him and led us to him so he could listen to this message and choose to accept or reject it.
Sister Melissa Jean Wood
This week was an eventful one, that is for sure. Highs, Lows, and many feelings in between. It was hard for me to be fully motivated this week. I have been suffering from a head cold for the past week or so. Apparently I am allergic to the peanut dust and cotton. I only know that because it is harvest time right now in Sweet Home Alabama. Regardless, Heavenly Father has definitely provided me with a lot of strength and energy when I needed it.
This week we had the sad event of our BCD (Baptism and Confirmation Date) with Chris dropping. We met with Chris and were excited to teach him the lesson we prepared about the Plan of Salvation. When we got there, the spirit was just letting us know something was off. As the appointment rolled forward, Chris expressed to us that he no longer wants to get baptized because he wants to remain a baptist. We asked if we could share one last lesson with him in hopes that the plan of salvation would resolve some of his concerns. As we taught and testified of precious truths, we could tell that Chris was just not listening. He had is head in his hands, looking down at the table the entire time we were talking. Whenever we would ask him a question, he wouldn't even look at us. He would just shrug his shoulders, and utter "I don't know." At that point all we could do was share our love with him and boldly testify of Jesus Christ. We testified that this is his church that has been restored to the earth by the prophet Joseph Smith. We testified that God new him and led us to him so he could listen to this message and choose to accept or reject it.
It
was a tough thing to take in. We know that he had felt the spirit
witness to him that the things we have been teaching were true. At the
beginning of us teaching him, he couldn't get enough of the Book of
Mormon. He attended church twice in a row. He was excited to quit
smoking before his baptism on the 22. But some how, some way, he has let
his doubts consume him and he no longer wants to meet with us. I am
grateful for the opportunity we had to teach him and feel the spirit
witness so strongly that the gospel has truly been restored. In response
to that lesson of pure rejection, Sister Jensen and I got frosty's at
Wendy's and we listened to a bunch of different versions of "praise to
the man." That made everything better!
Later
this week we went on exchanges with the Dothan 2 Sisters. I got to
spend the day with Sister Stapley. She is pretty fabulous! She is a
Master Herbalist. How snazzy is that?! She is very wise, and a great
teacher. She is dedicated to her purpose of being a missionary and
spreading the gospel for all to hear. I learned a lot of lessons of
humility and meekness from this dear sister :) We had some good talks,
that is for sure.
I
absolutely LOVE going on exchanges with other sisters. I always tell
the sisters that one exchange a transfer is not enough for sister wood
to learn what she needs to learn. So heavenly Father provided me with
the opportunity to go on 7 Exchanges each transfer with all these
amazing sisters. I really do learn so much from them. They motivate me
to always be finding ways to improve and work harder! I just love these
sisters so so much. They truly are consecrated servants of the Lord.
So...
Conference. Can we just say that it was AMAZING! It was so neat to
me to hear the brethren speak and testify of the simplicity and
fundamental principles and ordinances of the Gospel. Faith, Repentance,
and Joy were themes that really stuck out to me.
Y'all
I am so grateful for this Restored Gospel. It has brought true and
lasting joy and peace into my life. I absolutely loved President
Nelson's talk on Joy. Everything he said rang true to me. "… Joy
is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally
trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ."
Joy comes from centering our lives on Jesus Christ. I have definitely
found the most joy by doing so. As I study and learn more about the
savior, i have found that my joy is full. I feel such joy because my
faith is continuing in growth and strength. Faith
is the first principle of the gospel and is the source to everything I
know and do. One of my favorite scriptures on faith is: Helaman 3:35
Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and
stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of
Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even
to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which
sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. Repentance
is a gift from our Heavenly Father. I have come to really love and
cherish this beautiful gift. It is an act of faith like Elder Renlund
put so beautifully. "Real
repentance must involve faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith that He
can change us, faith that He can forgive us, and faith that He will help
us avoid more mistakes. … Without the Redeemer, the inherent hope and
joy evaporate, and repentance becomes simply miserable behavior
modification. But by exercising faith in Him, we become converted to His
ability and willingness to forgive sin. … … Repentance is a choice."
I
am so grateful we have the love and guidance of a living prophet, and
apostles. I know they are special witnesses of Jesus Christ. They will
always lead us in the right direction, and that is looking to our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I know Christ lives. I know he leads his church today though our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.
Never forget who we are, and Whose we are.
Have a blessed week Y'all!
Sister Melissa Jean Wood
Here are some adventures of the Week :)
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