Hello!
It was a marvelous week. It is such a blessing to me to get to meet so many people. I've never been a people person, but the Lord has helped me to get outside myself and love others- which helps me to be motivated to talk to everyone. And talking to everyone is something that has brought a lot of miracles this week. Faith = action+trust = miracles.
We were walking down the street and we were talking about how we wanted to find someone who would open the door and let us right in because they already knew they wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ. We felt like we should say a prayer to get some direction. In the prayer we asked that we could find someone who would let us in and who we could teach the restoration. We started walking and practice taught the restoration to each other as we walked. We got to the home and knocked- and the lady opened and the first thing she said was "Come in! Please!" And so we, almost in shock, walked in. She told us her story about how she was baptized when she was a little girl but never had really ever gone to church. She said she had decided last week that she was going to go back because she knew the church was true and that she needed it in her life. We taught her the restoration and we were all in awe of the beautiful spirit that was there in the room. Prayers are answered!
We had a fun lesson with a 10 year old kid named Malachi. He's been taught a lot but doesn't seem to want to be baptized. We've been praying and studying for this kid a lot. He's got a lot of power in his family- if he goes to church, his whole family will go back to being active. We asked him what his favorite game is. He said video games, so we tried again and asked him what his favorite board game is. He said uno. So the next day we studied how we could teach a gospel principle with uno cards! We made a game that taught about prophets and commandments. It was really pretty fun haha. And he learned a lot. Everybody seems to think he's a rude and shallow kid, but as we taught him and saw him progress we were able to really see how much he's looking for answers. He's had kind of a crazy life and just wants to know that God is there and loves him. He told us that this is his favorite painting- of Jesus Christ holding a little lamb. His parents don't think he is going to be baptized and that makes it hard. I just hope we can help him know that God loves him because I know He does.
As we've been walking around our area getting to one appointment or another we've passed by this one little culdesac quite a few times. And each time there is an older guy outside his house smoking a cigarette. This man is so friendly and kind, we stop and talk to him for a few minutes every time. We usually ask him if he believes in Jesus Christ and his answer is always, "we'll see...". He told us that his wife had just passed away and that he doesn't think there is a God, but he's not sure. He says he's just never got an answer before. We always share our testimonies of the Savior and he always starts talking about his taxes. Last night we met with a brother in the stake presidency and this mans name was brought up. Apparently the first day we met him was he day after his wife had passed away. Brother Byington told us that Bill (the man) has really been thinking hard about God lately and has been having a few deep talks with him lately. I was amazed to see how God works, how He is using us as instruments in His hands to bring comfort to those who need comfort and hope to those who need hope. I don't know if we will be able to start teaching this family, but I really hope we will.
At the beginning of this transfer I decided I was going to study obedience, and sister Paschal decided she was going to study diligence. We've been relying a lot on these attributes lately. But God seems to want us to learn patience. This transfer I have become very very aware of how short this transfer is and the only thing I want to do is serve God and serve His children by teaching them the restored gospel and inviting them to come unto Christ. God has allowed us to do this, but not yet in the way that we wanted or expected. But I know that will come.
"...and I am able to do mine own work...For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."
God is in this work. He is working in my life, in Sister Paschal's life, and in each of yours. He wants to do miracles for us, we just have to be patient and have faith.
I love you all!
Sister Ogden
It was a marvelous week. It is such a blessing to me to get to meet so many people. I've never been a people person, but the Lord has helped me to get outside myself and love others- which helps me to be motivated to talk to everyone. And talking to everyone is something that has brought a lot of miracles this week. Faith = action+trust = miracles.
We were walking down the street and we were talking about how we wanted to find someone who would open the door and let us right in because they already knew they wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ. We felt like we should say a prayer to get some direction. In the prayer we asked that we could find someone who would let us in and who we could teach the restoration. We started walking and practice taught the restoration to each other as we walked. We got to the home and knocked- and the lady opened and the first thing she said was "Come in! Please!" And so we, almost in shock, walked in. She told us her story about how she was baptized when she was a little girl but never had really ever gone to church. She said she had decided last week that she was going to go back because she knew the church was true and that she needed it in her life. We taught her the restoration and we were all in awe of the beautiful spirit that was there in the room. Prayers are answered!
We had a fun lesson with a 10 year old kid named Malachi. He's been taught a lot but doesn't seem to want to be baptized. We've been praying and studying for this kid a lot. He's got a lot of power in his family- if he goes to church, his whole family will go back to being active. We asked him what his favorite game is. He said video games, so we tried again and asked him what his favorite board game is. He said uno. So the next day we studied how we could teach a gospel principle with uno cards! We made a game that taught about prophets and commandments. It was really pretty fun haha. And he learned a lot. Everybody seems to think he's a rude and shallow kid, but as we taught him and saw him progress we were able to really see how much he's looking for answers. He's had kind of a crazy life and just wants to know that God is there and loves him. He told us that this is his favorite painting- of Jesus Christ holding a little lamb. His parents don't think he is going to be baptized and that makes it hard. I just hope we can help him know that God loves him because I know He does.
As we've been walking around our area getting to one appointment or another we've passed by this one little culdesac quite a few times. And each time there is an older guy outside his house smoking a cigarette. This man is so friendly and kind, we stop and talk to him for a few minutes every time. We usually ask him if he believes in Jesus Christ and his answer is always, "we'll see...". He told us that his wife had just passed away and that he doesn't think there is a God, but he's not sure. He says he's just never got an answer before. We always share our testimonies of the Savior and he always starts talking about his taxes. Last night we met with a brother in the stake presidency and this mans name was brought up. Apparently the first day we met him was he day after his wife had passed away. Brother Byington told us that Bill (the man) has really been thinking hard about God lately and has been having a few deep talks with him lately. I was amazed to see how God works, how He is using us as instruments in His hands to bring comfort to those who need comfort and hope to those who need hope. I don't know if we will be able to start teaching this family, but I really hope we will.
At the beginning of this transfer I decided I was going to study obedience, and sister Paschal decided she was going to study diligence. We've been relying a lot on these attributes lately. But God seems to want us to learn patience. This transfer I have become very very aware of how short this transfer is and the only thing I want to do is serve God and serve His children by teaching them the restored gospel and inviting them to come unto Christ. God has allowed us to do this, but not yet in the way that we wanted or expected. But I know that will come.
"...and I am able to do mine own work...For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."
God is in this work. He is working in my life, in Sister Paschal's life, and in each of yours. He wants to do miracles for us, we just have to be patient and have faith.
I love you all!
Sister Ogden