General Conference is the closest we get to vacation as missionaries-
that and Halloween!
We had a lot of fun this week, meeting people and knocking doors! We
had some really good lessons. The best by far was with O. We
knocked on his apartment door a few days ago, and he was totally
receptive. We set up a return appointment. His wife didn't really want
to learn more though, but since he did, we met at the church and
taught the Restoration. We watched the twenty minute Joseph Smith
video and it was easy to tell that he was feeling the Spirit! He had
so many great questions. We invited him to be baptized and he said
yes! We're hopeful to set a date next time we see him! He actually
borrowed the Joseph Smith DVD to show his wife to see if she would
like it and want to learn more.
We met with a lot of recent converts and less active members and
they're all doing pretty well. Some of them are still struggling with
stuff. Bishop asked us to visit a family so we went by and set up a
time with them. The wife and kids are inactive, but the husband still
goes to church. We got there and met with him and he said that he just
learned recently that his wife had never actually had a testimony,
after forty years of marriage. So his advice to us was to make sure
whoever we marry has a testimony. He looked like he was really going
through a hard time, but as we talked it was clear his testimony will
not be shaken. Maybe his wife will see his example and someday want
that for herself.
That was actually the second person we talked to who hadn't ever
really had a testimony. The first was a family, only two of which are
members. She really had a lot of anger towards the church because I
guess a lot of members are "hypocritical" in her eyes. She told us she
took her kids to some activities and sat alone on the sides and no one
reached out to her at all. Now while I do not deny those members
should have reached out, I think part of the problem was that she did
not reach out either. And especially out on my mission, I've really
been gaining a testimony of the Sabbath Day and our need to observe
it. We don't go for the people. We don't go because we're supposed to.
We go to renew our covenants and be spiritually uplifted in
preparation for the coming week, and not a lot of people understand
that. She had just held on to this anger for so long that she was not
willing to listen. It was really heartbreaking to me, because I felt a
little like she did when I was younger, that no one reached out. But
as I've gotten older, I've realized that it was because I needed to
reach out first and then I found I was welcomed with open arms. People
are not perfect, but we do our best. She did not want to hear anything
though.
We met a lot of good people as well! I just realized it sounds like a
depressing week. Overall, it really wasn't. We were able to meet
Daniel, a pastor with a wonderful testimony and knowledge of the
scriptures. He asked a lot of really good questions, about prophets,
and mostly about why we have "more scripture" with he Book of Mormon,
and also why we celebrate the Sabbath in Sunday and where is that in
the scriptures (which I don't actually know but we were able to bear
testimony and leave him with a Book of Mormon and an invitation to
read and to check out General Conference).
We also were able to finally meet B, our one progressing
investigator! She just had a baby! We met him in between the Saturday
sessions of Conference. He is such a sweet baby and she is so amazing
and fun! We are waiting to teach her until she recuperates a bit, but
she is definitely ready. She wants it for herself and her son. Her
husband is already a member. It's really exciting!
We met with the T family again and they had some great questions
about the temple so we talked to them about that. They are definitely
doing great! We watched a video of the marching band that the kids are
in (marching band is bigger than football out here- it's pretty much
all we hear about) and they're really good!
As for the reason behind the title of my email, it's partly due to
seasons and partly because I had a realization- either I'm constantly
sunburned, or I actually have a little bit of a tan! That will go away
come winter though- we're just waiting for the clouds to roll in. The
leaves are stunning. I don't know if I ever actually realized how
vibrant leaves could get. I'm excited for them to really turn colorful
so I can take lots of pictures!
Anyway, that was my week! Hopefully everyone is doing well! Love you all!
Stay strong!
Sister Jacobs
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