So a member of our branch passed away this last week. I think he had Kidney failure, or a disease in his heart. Either way, he was really suffering, and I think that it was a blessing in disguise, because his suffering was put to an end on Tuesday. His wife, however, decided that she was not going to eat, because she was too sad. I think she has eaten though.. hopefully! Otherwise it's been almost a week since she's eaten. But they had a funeral service yesterday, and it was pretty good. We had a 2 people speak on the Plan of Salvation, and how we will all be able to see our loved ones again after this life. I love how much hope we have from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings so much happiness. Of course, death is sad, but knowing that we will be able to see everyone again after this life... that is such great news! Which I am out here sharing with the people in the Philippines! And I love it!
We also had Sixto's baptismal interview on saturday, but we hadn't been able to teach him the whole last week. We went to his house probably 10+ times, and he wasn't there. We thought that we were going to have to postpone his interview, and push his baptismal date 1 week later.. which was really discouraging, because he had been SO excited about his baptism, that it would be sad to have to make him wait longer. But - we did find him, finally! About 25 minutes before his interview was scheduled. So we called our Zone Leaders to hurry up there so that they could interview him. We gave him one last lesson while waiting for the Zone leaders, and it was probably one of the most spiritual lessons that we have had with him. He told us how grateful he is for the gospel in his life, and how happy he has become. He then told us a story about how His family was struggling financially, and he wasn't sure what to do, because he needed money to go to church. He told us that he had been praying, and he even paid tithing the week before, with the little money that he had, and he said that he went outside one day and there was a man standing there, and he asked Sixto if he would want to come work in his Rice field. Sixto said that he was filled with joy and he knew that the Lord had blessed him because of his faithfulness. And we discovered that that was the reason he wasn't at his house the last week; because he was helping that man in his Rice field. So really, everything happens for a reason, and there is always a blessing if we look hard enough!
Sixto passed his interview, and with tears in his eyes, he hugged Elder Abadines and I and told us "Thank you so much for teaching me the truth, and helping me find what I have been looking for."
I am so grateful for the chance I had to teach Sixto. He was truly a "golden" investigator, and now that he is being baptized, I am filled with so much joy! He will be such a powerful member of the church :) These moments are what make missionary all worth it! :)
Always remember to recognize the Lords hand in all things, and remember to always turn to the Lord, and he will bless you :)
Stay True!
Elder Walstad
No comments:
Post a Comment