“...Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard
for the nations;” – Doctrine & Covenants 115:5
July 23, 2012
Two falsehoods about missionaries:
1. Missionaries are perfect and know everything.
2. Missionaries don’t have any problems.
Growing up as a youth, I used to think these two
things were
true. Missionaries seemed to live in a blissfully happy world, free from
toil and
strife and worries. I am very happy, it’s true. How can you not be happy
when
you are talking about the Gospel all day? But you also deal with
hardships,
setbacks, disappointments, heartbreaks (not only the Dear John kind, but
the “my-investigator-chose-not-to-get-baptized-after-all”
type), which are a lot more painful, and illnesses as well. I can
honestly say
that during my mission I have grown more than I have at any other time
of my
life. My time here has been filled with
hard times but also good times- the miracles, the baptisms, the
spiritual lessons and sacrament meetings, the tender mercies of the Lord, the
strengthening of my testimony, the miracle of seeing the conversion of people
and so much more. I have met people from all over the world who I will be
friends with forever and I have learned to love a people and a culture that is
not my own.
I remember in the MTC that one of the speakers described the country which you serve your mission in as “a holy land.” He said that if you ever go back, when you step off the plane go ahead and kiss the ground because that is sacred ground to you. I now understand what he meant. Paraguay is holy land to me.
Wow, what an amazing week we had! We saw so many miracles!! We once again had an amazing turn-out (it took my companion and I awhile to think of that word in English) at church. Five investigators and one potential investigator! Not to mention...Ruben and Lela are getting baptized this weekend!!! We are so excited! It has been a long journey for them. We have been working with them since we arrived in Piribebuy. We dropped them because they wouldn’t accept a baptismal date but then I felt that we should go back for them. We did so and now they are getting baptized. I felt like we would see them get baptized and we will! I’m not sure what changed, only that they have let the Spirit work within them and they are changing. They started to live the Word of Wisdom and after that, they were committed. Ruben told us that he is ready to get baptized on Saturday and it will be my first baptism of a couple- a family! I am so excited because that means in a year they can be sealed together forever in the Paraguay temple. We are going to see them everyday this week because Satan works overtime the week before a baptism. Ruben said that various people have told them that the Church is false and to not get baptized. We told them to keep praying and asking God for the confirmation to know that the Church is true and they said they would. Another challenge which arose for them happened at a Family Home Evening which we held with another part-member family. We taught about the Book of Mormon. The head of the household, who is not a member, basically attacked the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and advised Ruben to think very carefully about getting baptized. I was angry that he would say that to my investigator! I guess if it’s not coming from him, it would be coming from somewhere else! Thankfully, Ruben didn’t let it get to him. There is so much opposition in everything we do. Those who stay strong in the church are those who continue to do the little things that keep testimonies strong- read the scriptures, pray, go to church. The truth is that the simple things that seem to be of no grand importance are really of utmost importance!
Strangely, my testimony was strengthened at hearing this
attack against the Book of Mormon. I know that it is the word of God. I know
that Joseph Smith translated it through the help of God. It contains the fullness
of the Gospel and without it, we would be lost, like so many others.
I also wanted to tell you about Marium and Jorge. Marium
came to church carrying her baby, with her three other boys- 9, 7, 3 trailing
behind her. She had to walk across town to get there. They are so awesome!
Unfortunately her husband has yet to come but we have met him and he is a nice
guy. Get this- they were about to move out of Piribebuy because they had to
move out of their apartment and they didn’t know what to do. As it turned out,
one of the hermanas in the ward had a house to rent and if all goes well, they
will move in there and it will be great!! They will live very close to us and
be in a much better position to receive support and visits from the ward. I
have come to realize that the Lord works in mysterious ways. People don’t come
into the church having perfect lives. They come into the church searching for
something better- a better life and hope. We have what they are looking for-
it’s the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Also, Juan Leòn came back to church this week. He comes and sleeps through all the classes, but I guess he must like it
because he keeps coming back. We are going to see how serious he is about
baptism.
Is July seriously almost over? I really can’t believe it. I
want to thank Sister Brown for the nice Christmas card she sent me and the
photo. I received it last week. Christmas in July, right? Lol. It was sent in December
but at least I got it! I love the picture of your family at Kelli’s wedding. It
is really beautiful and is displayed on my desk.
Notice: Please don’t
mail me anymore letters because I will be home before they arrive here! You
can just hand them to me in person :)
Love you all!
Hermana Brittner
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