So this week has been good.
Monday night or Tuesday night, after seeing Judy, I had a dream about teaching her and it just keeps popping up again and again, so I definitely think it's what she needs. In the dream, I had the Resto cups (lesson/demonstration using cups to show foundation of Christ's church and need for restoration), but we didn't focus on the gospel but on the priesthood being restored. The words I remember oh so clear were "Judy the most important thing was that the priesthood was restored. Without it we could do nothing. That is what sets us apart."
We had interviews with President on Wednesday and we talked. Tuesday I had a rough day health-wise and slept for awhile. Wednesday we had to walk Sister Dignos' bike down to the church and that took a lot of energy and time - 90 mins to be exact. I was shattered (worn out). We had only one dinner appointment this week and I forgot to eat one or more times. Sister Leppard saw me like this and looked at the meal list. The elders were told to make sure we eat and to change the way the dinners have been, mainly for my health. But it was a good interview with President. We talked about our goals, the main one being getting me healthy enough before I go home in April! I agreed with that! I also asked him about Judy and he got some revelation and we used it and it helped. Satan was working hard and she still ended up backing out. But we both feel like the 24th is possible for her. The assistants called this morning to talk about her and to help us help her. It was nice to get some ideas. She has her answer and she has all the required knowledge. She just needs to want to be baptized and have the interview.
But today I had a real interesting study. I was a bit annoyed with myself for getting distracted, but I still was able to receive revelation. Something that really stood out to me was in Preach My Gospel under Lesson Three. It says that faith and repentance are the prerequisites for the ordinance of baptism. So all those who feel like Heavenly Father is telling them that they are not ready, it means that they have not gained sufficient faith or they have not fully repented for them to be baptized. The gospel really is part of the plan and it is the perfect plan. And the priesthood really is the piece that makes the puzzle whole. Without the priesthood we could not live the gospel. The Aaronic priesthood covers repentance and baptism and the higher priesthood covers the gift of the Holy Ghost and the enduring to the end - aka the other covenants and ordinances we make in the temple. Without the priesthood, we cannot fulfill our purpose in coming to earth.
Thursday, we were really tight on time and we were a bit stressed, and Elder Shaw called and gave us a challenge of teaching a lesson on the street. Well, I do that everyday. So he upped it to making the challenge finding a new investigator and inviting them to be baptized then and there. Coordination was cancelled so we had time to find and to eat dinner. We found a young man. To be honest, I am not sure how much he was there in the head but he committed to be baptized and to a return appointment. But, as we were about to head home, a girl just stood out and we talked to her. Isla is her name and it turns out her aunt is a member and was a sister missionary and now lives in Seattle. She is golden! She even prayed right there and felt something in her heart. Oh, please keep her in your prayers! We are meeting with her tomorrow. If you think about it, her aunt in Seattle has probably been praying for a long time for her family to join the church. If we help Isla, we will be answering her aunt's prayer of probably many years. Who knows what could happen once Isla is a member! I know Heavenly Father is mindful of us all and I had a strong feeling the challenge to invite her to be baptized and to get a return appointment wasn't on accident. God knew what he was doing and he knew that Isla would be there. Even though it was snowing and she had a lot of shopping and wasn't in her warm coat and didn't have gloves or a hat, she still stood there and talked for 10 minutes. I feel like I am getting to know my Heavenly Father so much better as I do his work and his will.
We went out to Gainsborough again on Friday and there is a member who only has 4 months to live. He lived in Vegas for a few years and was baptized there. John Banks is his name. He was part of the Meadows First Ward and Bishop Childs was the bishop at the time. He has worked for the C.I.A., and the D.E.A., and security all over the world. He has been stabbed and shot and so much more and yet, mold is what's killing him. How sad is that! We are working to get him to the temple before he passes on.
The weather was beautiful and we took many pictures. I was dancing in a field and Sister Dignos took pictures. I'll send them in order.
It was a good week. Yesterday I got a bit trunky and missed home. I made Dutch oven potatoes and a green salad like we would eat at home. The only thing that would have made it feel more like home would have been a hug from Dad. Yesterday was a tough day but I am doing better now.
I love you all!!
Sister Ashley Mackay
Monday night or Tuesday night, after seeing Judy, I had a dream about teaching her and it just keeps popping up again and again, so I definitely think it's what she needs. In the dream, I had the Resto cups (lesson/demonstration using cups to show foundation of Christ's church and need for restoration), but we didn't focus on the gospel but on the priesthood being restored. The words I remember oh so clear were "Judy the most important thing was that the priesthood was restored. Without it we could do nothing. That is what sets us apart."
We had interviews with President on Wednesday and we talked. Tuesday I had a rough day health-wise and slept for awhile. Wednesday we had to walk Sister Dignos' bike down to the church and that took a lot of energy and time - 90 mins to be exact. I was shattered (worn out). We had only one dinner appointment this week and I forgot to eat one or more times. Sister Leppard saw me like this and looked at the meal list. The elders were told to make sure we eat and to change the way the dinners have been, mainly for my health. But it was a good interview with President. We talked about our goals, the main one being getting me healthy enough before I go home in April! I agreed with that! I also asked him about Judy and he got some revelation and we used it and it helped. Satan was working hard and she still ended up backing out. But we both feel like the 24th is possible for her. The assistants called this morning to talk about her and to help us help her. It was nice to get some ideas. She has her answer and she has all the required knowledge. She just needs to want to be baptized and have the interview.
But today I had a real interesting study. I was a bit annoyed with myself for getting distracted, but I still was able to receive revelation. Something that really stood out to me was in Preach My Gospel under Lesson Three. It says that faith and repentance are the prerequisites for the ordinance of baptism. So all those who feel like Heavenly Father is telling them that they are not ready, it means that they have not gained sufficient faith or they have not fully repented for them to be baptized. The gospel really is part of the plan and it is the perfect plan. And the priesthood really is the piece that makes the puzzle whole. Without the priesthood we could not live the gospel. The Aaronic priesthood covers repentance and baptism and the higher priesthood covers the gift of the Holy Ghost and the enduring to the end - aka the other covenants and ordinances we make in the temple. Without the priesthood, we cannot fulfill our purpose in coming to earth.
Thursday, we were really tight on time and we were a bit stressed, and Elder Shaw called and gave us a challenge of teaching a lesson on the street. Well, I do that everyday. So he upped it to making the challenge finding a new investigator and inviting them to be baptized then and there. Coordination was cancelled so we had time to find and to eat dinner. We found a young man. To be honest, I am not sure how much he was there in the head but he committed to be baptized and to a return appointment. But, as we were about to head home, a girl just stood out and we talked to her. Isla is her name and it turns out her aunt is a member and was a sister missionary and now lives in Seattle. She is golden! She even prayed right there and felt something in her heart. Oh, please keep her in your prayers! We are meeting with her tomorrow. If you think about it, her aunt in Seattle has probably been praying for a long time for her family to join the church. If we help Isla, we will be answering her aunt's prayer of probably many years. Who knows what could happen once Isla is a member! I know Heavenly Father is mindful of us all and I had a strong feeling the challenge to invite her to be baptized and to get a return appointment wasn't on accident. God knew what he was doing and he knew that Isla would be there. Even though it was snowing and she had a lot of shopping and wasn't in her warm coat and didn't have gloves or a hat, she still stood there and talked for 10 minutes. I feel like I am getting to know my Heavenly Father so much better as I do his work and his will.
We went out to Gainsborough again on Friday and there is a member who only has 4 months to live. He lived in Vegas for a few years and was baptized there. John Banks is his name. He was part of the Meadows First Ward and Bishop Childs was the bishop at the time. He has worked for the C.I.A., and the D.E.A., and security all over the world. He has been stabbed and shot and so much more and yet, mold is what's killing him. How sad is that! We are working to get him to the temple before he passes on.
The weather was beautiful and we took many pictures. I was dancing in a field and Sister Dignos took pictures. I'll send them in order.
It was a good week. Yesterday I got a bit trunky and missed home. I made Dutch oven potatoes and a green salad like we would eat at home. The only thing that would have made it feel more like home would have been a hug from Dad. Yesterday was a tough day but I am doing better now.
I love you all!!
Sister Ashley Mackay