Hello Everybody!
What a wonderful week we had in Fairview, Montana!
This week was fantastic! We are starting to get really busy! Earlier in the
week, I went on exchanges with Sister Miles, the missionary I trained. It was
so much fun! I loved working with her again.
Friday was one of the best days in this area. We
went to Bainville, a town in our area of about 400 people. It is full of less
active members and many are not on the records. We went door to door and
tracted into several of them. We obtained some information so we could get
their records to the ward. It was really by chance that we found them!
Some are wanting to reactivate which is so wonderful. Bainville and Culbertson
are little miracle boxes! The miracles just flow from these places and we love
it there so much.
Saturday was also a wonderful day. The little town
of Fairview was hopping with a craft fair, a football game, and later that
night a bridge lighting with christmas lights and hot chocolate. They do
it early so it isn't too cold to be outside. It is only in the 30's though, and
most people say it should already be -20 over here, so it is really really
warm! But I am just an Arizona girl, so I am wearing my coat when nobody else
is! We made a lot of contacts in Fairview that day and gained trust by
being visible and out in the community meeting people.
Sunday was another day of miracles, because we went
back up to Bainville and Culbertson. The members there are amazing and we
taught a couple of less active families. I love this area, and since we worked
really hard in the beginning, without giving up, we finally get to see some of
the fruits of our labors now. Oh and T and A came to church finally!
I don't even know if you remember them but A is less active and T, his
wife, is a non-member. Slowly she started allowing us to come visit her
and teach her here and there.
Tomorrow my companion and I are going to give a
training with the zone leaders. I am nervous because we have to give a training
in front of President Hess. Hopefully it turns out alright! It is on the Book
of Mormon. Preach my Gospel, page 104, says, "The Book of Mormon, combined
with the spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion. It is the most
correct of any book on the earth. It teaches the doctrine of Christ plainly,
especially in the lessons you teach investigators. Use it as your main source
for teaching the restored gospel."
The Book of Mormon is powerful, it is the keystone
of our religion. it should be our main source in teaching about the gospel,
whether we are full time missionaries or not. It is the evidence that Joseph
Smith was called of God to be a prophet, and that Jesus is the Christ. To
paraphrase President Ezra Taft Benson, the Book of Mormon is not used enough in
our studies, teaching, missionary work, and of this, we must repent.
I am so happy that Jersy will be singing at
"The Reason for the Season" celebration at the Presbyterian church on
Sunday. I wish I could be there to hear her sing. I love the song "If the
Savior Stood Beside Me". That is a perfect song for this week.
When you told me about Gigi one of the first things that came to my mind
was the Moroni 7:46-47-
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not
charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto
charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail;
But charity is the pure love of
Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last
day, it shall be well with him."
I know that Gigi was found possessed of charity at
her last day. Her health has been failing over the last year but it never
stopped her from writing to me. I know she didn't have much energy but what she did have she used on her family.
I can't remember a time where we went to visit her that she didn't have
cookies ready for us. And if she didn't have them she could not stop
apologizing. If anyone looked around her little house they could see that
she was all about loving and serving her family. Her entertainment center
was covered with their pictures; there were always letters on her desk that she
needed to send to people; her kitchen was always filled with treats she baked
for us; and her yarn and knitting needles were always right by her chair
because of a blanket she was making for someone. She was always serving,
always loving, always filled with charity.
One of my favorite things to think about is the great plan
of happiness. God loves us and created us, we are His children. Because he
loves us so much, He provided a way for us to have complete joy and happiness.
That is why He sent His son. Jesus Christ came into the world to do the will of
His Father- to perform the atonement on our behalf. Often times, when we think
of the atonement, we think about Jesus suffering for our sins and dying on the
cross. He did these things and it is amazing to think of. But as our Savior, He
didn't only save us from sin, but also from the sting of death. Three days
after Christ was crucified, He rose from the dead in perfect form, He was
resurrected and every single person who lived or ever will live will be
resurrected. Not only that, but we can live with families again. These things
are all possible through Jesus Christ.
I love you all, have a wonderful week!
Sister Park
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