This week...hmmm. Nothing too crazy, actually. I'm looking through my planner right now, and it seems pretty normal. At least, whatever "normal" means in missionary work :)
So, our online teaches with Jared are going really well :) We did a fast specifically for him, because he was having trouble with fitting in at church. During one of our evening teaches, we were inspired to make the promise that he would find one person that would make the difference. He did :) Turns out one of his close friends who lives 15 minutes away is Mormon, and he went to church with her and everything felt "right." My goodness, we've taught him almost everything online now; he's going to get baptized! Just have to set a date with the area Elders.
I have definitely gained a testimony of fasting during my mission :) It even works online (ha, I always imagine this email arriving: "you've got blessings!"). We fasted the other day for members to teach and get referrals from. Went and taught in a few homes, and received a referral for each one. It's ridiculous how much we are blessed when we put our trust in the Lord.
We have so many people to help here! Phonglei is working on his driving license right now, so we haven't met with him in a week. But, we found another family who we are now teaching and is coming to church :) The Chen family is awesome, but we don't quite have the language skill to teach them, so, since we're digital, we get the Mandarin Elders to Skype and help out. It's going really well, we pray for them every day. My sincere desire is to help them as much as possible. In fact, I've noticed that when that becomes our desire, we become so much more happy as well :)
President this last week asked us to amp up our area work. So, we've been getting out into the area way more :) It's been really great, actually. Teaching on the street and at the doorstep is really something that can't be rivaled when it comes to the Spirit. I love the online work, but it will never replace my love for going out, contacting, and teaching in the home. And serving :) That's the missionary work I imagined when I came out. I was terrified of it to begin with, but you find that there is really something special about it.
Ha, and speaking of contacting, funny stories :) There's something out here I like to call zig-zag-tag. You cross the street to talk to someone (all non-nonchalant like), and the person crosses to the other side! Imagine that! :) So, we cross back...now here's the test of those who really don't want to talk. They cross over again! By this time, we just end up yelling "hi" from across the street, then crossing again :) Goooooood times. Those English people, they'll do anything to not talk!
We did some rubix cube contacting, finally :) It went quite well actually. We got a variety of responses. Even some people that could solve it. [Note from Meredith: Stewart can solve the rubix cube, in case you were wondering]. A few lessons, and a new investigator was worth every pound we spent on rubix cubes :)
We've had to knock recently, because there's really been nothing better to do in the quiet evenings (it get's dark about 4:30 now here, even after daylight savings). We decided one day to begin the conversation at the door by offering a blessing on the home. It actually turned out really well :) It's really too bad people aren't as excited when we talk about Christ.
The work is good. The Spirit is undeniable, and the happiness from serving others is incredible :) I love missionary work.
Hope you are all doing well.
Cheers,
Elder Foster
So, our online teaches with Jared are going really well :) We did a fast specifically for him, because he was having trouble with fitting in at church. During one of our evening teaches, we were inspired to make the promise that he would find one person that would make the difference. He did :) Turns out one of his close friends who lives 15 minutes away is Mormon, and he went to church with her and everything felt "right." My goodness, we've taught him almost everything online now; he's going to get baptized! Just have to set a date with the area Elders.
I have definitely gained a testimony of fasting during my mission :) It even works online (ha, I always imagine this email arriving: "you've got blessings!"). We fasted the other day for members to teach and get referrals from. Went and taught in a few homes, and received a referral for each one. It's ridiculous how much we are blessed when we put our trust in the Lord.
We have so many people to help here! Phonglei is working on his driving license right now, so we haven't met with him in a week. But, we found another family who we are now teaching and is coming to church :) The Chen family is awesome, but we don't quite have the language skill to teach them, so, since we're digital, we get the Mandarin Elders to Skype and help out. It's going really well, we pray for them every day. My sincere desire is to help them as much as possible. In fact, I've noticed that when that becomes our desire, we become so much more happy as well :)
President this last week asked us to amp up our area work. So, we've been getting out into the area way more :) It's been really great, actually. Teaching on the street and at the doorstep is really something that can't be rivaled when it comes to the Spirit. I love the online work, but it will never replace my love for going out, contacting, and teaching in the home. And serving :) That's the missionary work I imagined when I came out. I was terrified of it to begin with, but you find that there is really something special about it.
Ha, and speaking of contacting, funny stories :) There's something out here I like to call zig-zag-tag. You cross the street to talk to someone (all non-nonchalant like), and the person crosses to the other side! Imagine that! :) So, we cross back...now here's the test of those who really don't want to talk. They cross over again! By this time, we just end up yelling "hi" from across the street, then crossing again :) Goooooood times. Those English people, they'll do anything to not talk!
We did some rubix cube contacting, finally :) It went quite well actually. We got a variety of responses. Even some people that could solve it. [Note from Meredith: Stewart can solve the rubix cube, in case you were wondering]. A few lessons, and a new investigator was worth every pound we spent on rubix cubes :)
We've had to knock recently, because there's really been nothing better to do in the quiet evenings (it get's dark about 4:30 now here, even after daylight savings). We decided one day to begin the conversation at the door by offering a blessing on the home. It actually turned out really well :) It's really too bad people aren't as excited when we talk about Christ.
The work is good. The Spirit is undeniable, and the happiness from serving others is incredible :) I love missionary work.
Hope you are all doing well.
Cheers,
Elder Foster