What an incredible week here in the great OCM. I feel so blessed to be able to serve in Powell and be so close to the mission home and office. It's so neat to get to know the senior couples more and the Daines.
On Monday we went to a less actives (B) to visit him. After we had a little lesson with him, his niece (L) walked in who, oddly enough, was a former investigator. We able to share a message with her and her uncle was able to share his testimony. It reminded me a lot of the scripture D&C 50:22 "Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." Not only was Lwas edified but so was B. It was incredible to watch B's eyes beam as he shared his experience with the Book of Mormon and his baptism. La said if she came to know that this was true, she would be baptized! We went back to L on Saturday and had a beautiful lesson on the atonement. I came to truly understand the the Savior wants to forgive. He doesn't push away or shun us when we make a mistake, He simply keeps His arms reached out, waiting for us to enter his warm embrace.
Tuesday night we stopped by The Mitchell's to give them their pan back. Brother and Sister Mitchell weren't home but there son Josh answered the door. Josh is less active and we didn't really know him but we got to know him while we stood there. Without realizing, we had transitioned into how much our Father in Heaven and Savior love us. He shared a really personal story from his past that showed him that Christ was there for him. Without thinking about it, I simply invited him to church and to partake of the sacrament. He then said, "You know, I was just eating dinner and thinking about how I needed to go to church again." We didn't know Josh was home, we didn't even plan to talk to him but our Father in Heaven knew we would be at the Mitchell's and knew that we would help build his faith. Sunday came and it was the most precious experience to watch Josh walk into church with his dad. My heart was filled with so much joy to be able to his dad's eyes fill with tears and love that is son was at church. I can't imagine the joy that our Father in Heaven had to see his son, Josh makes steps of faith and change to come to church.
Wednesday was quite an interesting day. We were headed to the Mitchell home to see Earl. We simply parked the car and went in without taking much thought of where we parked the car. When we got to the car, we realized that it was completely stuck. We spent 2 hrs push the car with three HUGE guys in the pouring rain...(in my white skirt) and absolutely nothing worked. We called Elder Long the vehicle coordinator and he had the elders come with their truck. Literally within 20 seconds, they had the car pulled out. It was interesting experience haha.
We went to the mission home to sing to Sister Daines' sister and husband since they were in town. We were then informed that Friday Sister Scott would be leaving to Pickingerton due to unexpected circumstances that caused her to need to fill in. It was an emotional time as we sang Be Still, My Soul in the mission home together. We miss our Sister Scott so much but she is just a powerful missionary and will be amazing where ever the Lord needs her. It is now Sister Alius and I in Powell now. It sorta interesting because it's almost as if we were doubled into the area. But it's been fun as well (:
Friday night we were going out and meeting people. We met a potential named Doug who didn't really give the Book of Mormon a chance. He said he wasn't sure where to start and if there was chapter he should read.
I invited him to read Alma 32 and it was exactly what Sister Alius thought of. We then asked if we could sing him a song. He said to give him a readers digest of it and to not go off key so we did the first part of A Child's Prayer (soprano and alto part together). He then said, "woah, I should of had you sing the whole thing." We simply ended with a pray and left. We watched as he was smacked by the spirit and then we left. We knew without a shadow of a doubt that he felt the spirit instantly and recognized a difference when we left.
Oh J...he really has strengthened his faith in Christ. We sand Lead, Kindly Light to him and he said the part that stuck out to him was "Pride ruled my will". He said that its his pride that is keeping him from changing. The next time we went back I shared the story about the The Anti-Nephi-Lehies and how they buried their weapons as a testimony to God. We invited him to church and he accepted. Yesterday morning we stopped by to share with him the importance of sacrament and the meaning behind it. He said he had his outfit picked out and would see us there. 5 minutes before church he text us and said he chickened out and would be there next week. I know that our Father in Heaven knows him and that J will continue to strengthen his relationship with God and Jesus Christ.
Yesterday night, we went to M's house. We taught her the first day I got to Powell and haven't seen her since. We have stopped at her house and spoke briefly with her mom but never could catch M. We finally caught them home yesterday. M's mom was so excited to share with us picture of her new grandbaby. She got emotional as she shared with us the beauty of the love between the baby and mother. We were able to share the plan of salvation simply to them and it was such a precious experience. You could tell that they could feel the spirit as we shared our purpose her on earth. We will be going over again this week and I can't wait.
Heavenly Father is so aware of His children and their needs. I've been able to witness that as I have tried to be guided the spirit. I have come to understand on a deeper level the Atonement of our Savior. He loved us so infinitely that He submitted to the Fathers will and suffered for each of us. No matter how far we stray from the path back to our Father, we ALWAYS can turn back. Jeffery R. Holland said, “However many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.” I know with every fiber of my soul that His love is sufficient for each of us. The same atonement that applies to your neighbor, your loved one, your friend, applies to YOU. I know our Savior Jesus Christ's lives and that His arms are opened to all. I love you all so much! With all the love I have...until Monday..
XOXO,
Sister Detamore
1. Did nails at an assisted living center
2. Before the car went 2 inches deeper...
3. Looks better than in person...mud all over the white skirt.
4. We made Sushi
5. One of the beautiful homes here
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