Catholic." But we gave away a ton of pass-along cards! Everyone in Fairfield County
will soon have a copy of "Finding Faith in Christ" and "Joy to the World" if they
want one.
We did have one miracle. I'd always heard of missionaries going to a street where a
member lives, asking the members to pray with them, and then tracting the street. I'd never tried it until this week. We were feeling very discouraged and tired. We went to this member's house. They had non-member relatives staying with them for the holiday. But they let us right in, gathered all the kids, and said a wonderful prayer with us. I felt so uplifted and strengthened. There was so much power in that prayer! We didn't even get a nibble until the very last house on the street (which is so often the case). They were a wonderful family who let us come in and teach. They seem quite firm in their own faith and not super interested in what we had to say BUT the fact that they let us come in, teach a lesson AND give them a Book of Mormon was a miracle in and of itself. That was the most tracting success we had had in weeks!
And we give ourselves the same "we're planting a seed" speech that we always give, and then we feel good about what we did. Don't get me wrong, I believe in the "we're planting a seed"speech. I've so often been the missionary to reap seeds sown by others. And that's the way it should be. People sometimes come back from their missions saying, "I baptized so-and-so," or "I taught so-and-so." But really, at least in this mission, RARELY (if at all) does one person get found, taught, and baptized by the same set of missionaries. It's a TEAM EFFORT! That's why there is no room for prima donnas or spoiled children in the mission field. It's not about "I baptized you," or "I tracted into you." I personally don't baptize anyone, of course. Need the help of the priesthood for that. And even if I find someone, it's my companion and I that find them. Just like almost everything else in the gospel, missionary work requires the effort of many, and it is NEVER about "me" or "look what I did."
ANYWAY Monson steps off the soapbox.
Until next time, folks!
Yesterday one of our investigators came back to church. He had been coming consistently for several weeks and taking the lessons before he had a major back problem that prevented him from walking or doing anything. This week he came to church and had to alternately sit and stand on a soft chair in the foyer, because of the pain in his back. What a trooper! We were finally able to introduce him to a WWII vet in the ward (we thought they might get along because this investigator is a Vietnam vet), which went extremely well. He still hasn't been able to start taking the lessons again, but he's been coming to church which I am so impressed by.
For the Thanksgiving holiday we went to the ward mission leader's house. There was
quite a crowd there. We had told them we would come a couple of hours early to help with cooking and table setting, because it was going to be an enormous group. They PROMISED us there would be tons of work for us to do. When we got there, everything had been done. So we folded napkins. Very, very elaborately folded napkins. I'm attaching some pictures of the napkin extravaganza.
After we folded napkins I suddenly had the urge to make gumdrop turkeys for the kids
table, in true Monson fashion. (No one else had ever heard of them. Come on, people, what planet are you from?) They didn't have gumdrops or orange sticks. So we used caramel candies and candy corn. We made a LOT of turkeys we got kinda bored and then we started to get more creative and make turkeys in the likeness of certain people. Whose first names happen to be Elder and Elder. I can't verbally do these justice. Hopefully the pictures will come through and I can attach them.
Anyway, we had a lot of fun listening to these elders quote Disney movies. Elder Allred (the dark-haired one) does an AMAZING Shrek accent. Keeps missionaries entertained for hours. (Hey, we can't watch football on Thanksgiving like the rest of the world. Gotta get creative.)
In all seriousness, there is so much to be grateful for!!! Mostly at this time I'm
grateful to be here, to be surrounded by wonderful and supportive companions/missionaries/ward members, and to have a testimony that keeps growing. My
testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthened A LOT on the mission. I've gained a greater understanding and appreciation for the priesthood. And in my hardest times, I have gained a deeper understanding of the Atonement. I also appreciate my family so much more. Thank you for your support, I can't begin to explain how much it means to me!
Love to everyone,
Sister Monson
P.S. I forgot to tell you about my crazy morning. I ate leftover Thanksgiving cake for breakfast. While I was chewing I spit out something that I thought was a popcorn kernel. What did it turn out to be? Nothing less than a LADYBUG. I ALMOST ATE A LADYBUG FOR BREAKFAST! Don't worry, it was dead. Yes, Mom, I learned my lesson. I'll stop eating cake for breakfast. Back to the oatmeal. (But THAT has been left untouched for so long, who knows what kind of friends are in there now.)
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