May 27
Hello Family,
I hope that you are all having a great memorial day. Today has been a great day so far. We have been at a picnic with the Korean Branch. That was a lot of fun. We pretty much played volleyball the whole time. I love volleyball so much and I am getting really good at it too. I am starting to get use to the whole Language barrier and the members are coming and talking to me in English which makes me feel good. I really do like the Korean branch even though it can be frustrating sometimes. I am learning a lot from being the this branch and have enjoyed every minute of it.
We started some English classes this week. They are have been fun and we are actually getting some people to show up. Teaching English has been so much fun and I really have enjoyed this opportunity to teach people who don't know English that well. We have a lot of fun in the classes and laugh a lot together. The Koreans are so cute and they make me smile.
We saw Alex a lot this past week and we felt that it would be best to move his baptism date too next Sunday. We have a few more lessons with him and we really feel that he needs to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon before he gets baptized. He has been praying and reading it and says that he does know that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God and that Joesph Smith is a true prophet of God. Alex has been going through a lot of opposition and we were able to talk with him about the Atonement and how we can asked for the strength to overcome our trials and challenges. Alex has been feeling the influence that Satan has on him and he loves it when we are able to meet. He mentioned to us yesterday that he loves coming to church because it is his only way to get away from the world and to feel the holy ghost. I mentioned to him to imagine what it will feel like after he gets baptized to have the holy ghost with him always. He smiled and said that he can't wait for that day. I am so proud of Alex for enduring the challenges that he is facing in his life at this time. He is changing into a great person and I know that the Lord is proud of him as well. Whenever we see Alex he is always smiling and he even has said that he is really happy and is glad that he was lead to us missionaries. I know that that was God's way of telling Alex that He loves him.
We met with Francis again this past week. My heart aches for Francis. She has very sad eyes and is mourning. We want to help her so badly to understand the Plan of Salvation and to know that she will be able to see her husband again. We had the Elders come help her with some yard work and so was so impressed with them and it meant the world to her that they would come and help her out for free. She cares so much about her family and her son usually does the yard work, but he has been so sick and so he hasn't been able to keep up on the work and so isn't able too either. She was touched to the act of service. After they left we were able to teach her a little bit of the plan of salvation and taught about why we are on this earth and that if we live the way that Christ did and follow his example we will be able to make it back to live with our Heavenly Father and to be with our families together. I love Francis so much and I really want to help her find this comfort and peace that she is seeking for. She is an amazing women and a precious daughter of God.
We also met with the Martinez family. This is a part-member family. We were also able to teach them about the Plan of Salvation. They really enjoyed the lesson a lot. Sis. Martinez is the mom and she is not a member. When we were talking about the plan and how families are important to our Heavenly Father, so was touched. We mentioned that God wants us all to return to him and be with our families again forever so that we can all be together in the Celestial Kingdom. We had this thought after we left that the next time we go over we need to ask Sister Martinez if she will be willing to take the lesson with us so that we can help her and her family be a forever family. I know that in the past she hasn't been open to it, but I have faith that the holy ghost will testify to her. This family is great. They have been reading their scriptures and praying has a family and has been able to see a difference. I am so proud of them for reaching out to us and that we are able to be in their home to teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Nauman's are doing great. We had an awesome lesson with them and talked about the Atonement and how it is NEVER too late to repent and be forgiven. Brother Nauman thinks that he cannot be forgiven of his sins. We were able to teach with the spirit and to let him know that it isn't too late and that his Heavenly Father loves him and wants him to know that he is their waiting for him and wants to help him feel that love and that peace. While teaching, Sister Nauman was crying. She had felt the spirit so strong. We asked her about baptism and she said that she really wants to me baptized. Her husband said that he would support her a 100%. I really think that she is the key to him coming back to church. I know that God loves these two people very much and that wants them to be happy in their lives together.
I am so grateful for the wonderful knowledge that I have of this Gospel and of the Plan of Happiness. I know that we each of us have different challenges and trials, but they are a test for us to see if we can over come them and so that our faith will grow and become stronger. I know that we have been placed on this earth so that we can become the person that God knows that we can be. I know that families are forever and that families are very important to our Heavenly Father. I love this opportunity that I have been given to serve others. Service is one of my favorite things and I am so happy when I am out teaching and serving. When I am serving nothing else matters. All my worries go away and I am able to really enjoy what I am doing for other people. I know this is the true gospel.
I hope that you all have a wonderful week and enjoy your first week of summer!! Stay safe and remember who you are! Big hugs.
Love Sister Ackley
No comments:
Post a Comment