Monday, October 24, 2011

Speaking French and Teaching with the Spirit

It's been a great week! We had interviews and trainings. My interview with President was very rewarding. He is an amazing man and truly full of charity.

I’ve had insights this week into the way the Spirit works with our investigators and us. It all started with the words from our fellowshipper, Jill Turner (who I adore), in a lesson with Michael. She explained that the Holy Ghost always prompts us to do things in a way that makes us want to do it. That is so true! I think of Moroni 7:13, “But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.” However He does it, He brings that desire out in us.

We, too, must try to evoke desire in people by inviting and enticing; we should try to emulate the Holy Ghost in our teaching. It seems a mammoth task! So, in the end I feel very blessed that if we are living right, the Holy Ghost can actually be there and teach with us. To quote Brother Matt Richardson in our latest General Conference, “All parents, leaders, and teachers have the responsibility to teach ‘by the Spirit.’ They should not teach ‘in front of the Spirit’ or ‘behind the Spirit’ but ‘by the Spirit’ so the Spirit can teach the truth unrestrained.” Who wouldn’t teach by the Spirit if they knew it was an option! I’m so grateful for His support and place in our companionship. I know that in my quest to get people to desire the gospel, the Holy Ghost is my best ally.

I’m also grateful for His support of Michael who picked a baptismal date! Remember how we walked home with him from church last week? One of the things we shared with him was D&C 9:8-9, explaining how when seeking guidance from the Lord we have to choose first and then the Lord will confirm our decisions to us. That struck a chord with him, and using that method he felt a very strong answer from the Spirit that he was to be baptised on the 4th of November! Again, the Holy Ghost gives us desire. Ever since that moment no one has been able to sway him from that date (and trust me, Satan is trying). He’s faced a lot of opposition this week, but he’s getting through it. In one of our lessons this week Rachel (his daughter) helped us make invitations for the baptism. She drew technicoloured temples and angels on the front :) SO adorable. The funny thing is, I'm not sure who was more excited to hand them out at church, Rachel or Michael!

The ward has been so supportive of him; he really is a part of the Ward already. In Nanny's e-mail this week (I hope you don't mind if I quote you, Nanny!) she perfectly described how Michael’s conversion process has been. She wrote, “Bapa used to say that all we needed to do was to bring friends to the fire, they will feel the warmth and know that they are home at last. I guess that's what being a missionary is all about and you do it so well as you love the members and then bring those looking for the truth close enough to feel the love/warmth those members feel.” He really does feel the warmth of the gospel from the saints here. What a joy! He continues to face the pressures of being a single father. On top of it all, this house he moved into last year is a "fixer-upper" and he's had no time to work on it. Knowing that this is a source of stress for him, we offered to help him a bit. We are excited to serve him with other ward members and help him carry his load!

We have been offering service incessantly to members for the past four weeks and it’s finally catching up with us! So many people approached us at church to ask for help with little things. We are so happy that they trust us and feel how much we love them and desire to help them. We did singing time in Primary yesterday and I can safely say all of the children in the ward love us now : ) And we love them! What fantastic children!

The work continues to move forward! We now have three french-speaking African investigators you can pray for: Fraser (40s) and his son, Lucien (17) from Senegal; and Nicolas (30s) from the Congo. All very sincere! Exhilarating to use French. We also met with a lovely young woman, Nicole, last week who we hope to see progress. She grasped onto the message really well and she's happy to meet, but with her two jobs the only time she's available is 8 am : ( which is not ideal for us. Is it allowed to pray for someone to lose a job? : ) We'll see how it goes this week.

I love you all! Keep up the good work and remember to serve the Lord! It's so fun!

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