February 13, 2012:
Because of our Savior I know we can someday be with our loved ones again
Well, this week has been good. We hit standards in all areas this week, even though even more of our investigators dropped us. [One investigator] texted us and said he doesn’t want any more calls or texts. I was sad since so much of my heart had gone into that, and he'd read the whole Book of Mormon, but it's his choice.
Because of our Savior I know we can someday be with our loved ones again
Well, this week has been good. We hit standards in all areas this week, even though even more of our investigators dropped us. [One investigator] texted us and said he doesn’t want any more calls or texts. I was sad since so much of my heart had gone into that, and he'd read the whole Book of Mormon, but it's his choice.
Snails in a bowl.
We had a fantastic thing happen this week! We were invited to a Family Home Evening with a family in the branch for Thursday night, because their daughters want to teach about the Plan of Salvation. SWEET. We then asked the members if we could invite more than one person and they agreed so we [invited two young women and they] said yes! WHAT!!! Such a blessing. The members came in their two cars and picked us all up from the church. It felt SO weird to be in a car on the freeway! Hahaha, cars are so alien to me now. The missionaries rode in one, and the girls rode in another. So we got there, and we all sat down for fruit tea, and they showed us their wedding pictures. Their two girls were there, and they asked to see my pictures, and I have this little book of random pictures I carry with me of you guys and the goat and chickens etc. (P.S. I really need a picture of our house and Coco if someday you could send me some :)) and they were like, “Oh we have pets too!” I asked what, and they said a word I had JUST learned a few days prior- “snek”! It means snail. I asked to see them, and they brought it in, and I DIED. They were the biggest snails I'd ever seen! Totally not what I was expecting. So that's the pictures I sent. The snails and then everyone.
After that excitement we sang a song and started with the Plan of Salvation. Everyone had their scriptures out, and [our investigator] had brought her Book of Mormon wrapped in newspaper which was so wonderful. We explained quite simply why we are here--why our lives matter--why relationships matter--why Christ is so important--and why it makes sense that there is life after death. At the end of the lesson I had the word 'Vicky' come to my mind. It wasn't even something I'd thought of sharing, but I felt like I should act on that prompting. I then bore my testimony in Czech of how I knew there is an afterlife.
For those of you who don't know my story here it is: when I was about 16 or 17, I had been asked to be a 'special buddy' for a severely handicapped girl in the [religious] Seminary program at school. Her name was Vicky. And she was very very special. Vicky was in her twenties, and she was tall with blonde hair. Vicky loved songs, and she always tried to sing, but she never could, because her body wouldn’t cooperate. Many times during class Vicky would seizure, and one day she bit herself so hard that blood was all over the desks. I would try to calm Vicky by holding her hands or just touching her in any way. Our Seminary class consisted of about 8 or 9 people who had severe disabilities, and there was a buddy assigned to each. Vicky was mine, and I loved her very much. My teacher told us that many times the Spirit would be strong in class, and we would need to be the words for our friends. We were to get to know them spiritually by looking into their eyes and being so in tune that we'd know when they wanted to express something. I felt uncomfortable at first, but I took this to heart and really tried to get to know Vicky. I loved Vicky so much. I understood when she wanted to say something, and I would express it for her. From serving Vicky temporally I was blessed spiritually. One day Vicky wasn’t in class, and my teacher announced that she had died in her sleep. I was in shock. She had become one of my best friends even though she had never been able to say anything to me. I felt so close to her. I remember walking to the high school that day and getting to my locker and not being able to remember my combination [for the lock]. I was so frustrated, and finally I just hit the locker, fell to the ground, and started sobbing. It really hurt me, and for the first time in my life I questioned. I wanted to know if it was true that I'd see her again. I needed to know. I went home and stumbled across Alma 11. I remember the strongest feeling coming over me that this was true. I would see Vicky again. I felt peace, and I felt ok. I went to her funeral, and while there we sang a hymn. During the hymn I felt Vicky there. I felt her spirit somehow. It was the same feeling I got when I would look into her eyes and testify for her. I knew that Vicky was singing, and I knew that she was ok. This experience is something that will help me for the rest of my life. When I shared it the mom of the family started crying, and the Spirit testified that what I was saying was true. It was a beautiful experience. I love my Savior so much. Because of Him I know we can someday be with our loved ones again.
For those of you who don't know my story here it is: when I was about 16 or 17, I had been asked to be a 'special buddy' for a severely handicapped girl in the [religious] Seminary program at school. Her name was Vicky. And she was very very special. Vicky was in her twenties, and she was tall with blonde hair. Vicky loved songs, and she always tried to sing, but she never could, because her body wouldn’t cooperate. Many times during class Vicky would seizure, and one day she bit herself so hard that blood was all over the desks. I would try to calm Vicky by holding her hands or just touching her in any way. Our Seminary class consisted of about 8 or 9 people who had severe disabilities, and there was a buddy assigned to each. Vicky was mine, and I loved her very much. My teacher told us that many times the Spirit would be strong in class, and we would need to be the words for our friends. We were to get to know them spiritually by looking into their eyes and being so in tune that we'd know when they wanted to express something. I felt uncomfortable at first, but I took this to heart and really tried to get to know Vicky. I loved Vicky so much. I understood when she wanted to say something, and I would express it for her. From serving Vicky temporally I was blessed spiritually. One day Vicky wasn’t in class, and my teacher announced that she had died in her sleep. I was in shock. She had become one of my best friends even though she had never been able to say anything to me. I felt so close to her. I remember walking to the high school that day and getting to my locker and not being able to remember my combination [for the lock]. I was so frustrated, and finally I just hit the locker, fell to the ground, and started sobbing. It really hurt me, and for the first time in my life I questioned. I wanted to know if it was true that I'd see her again. I needed to know. I went home and stumbled across Alma 11. I remember the strongest feeling coming over me that this was true. I would see Vicky again. I felt peace, and I felt ok. I went to her funeral, and while there we sang a hymn. During the hymn I felt Vicky there. I felt her spirit somehow. It was the same feeling I got when I would look into her eyes and testify for her. I knew that Vicky was singing, and I knew that she was ok. This experience is something that will help me for the rest of my life. When I shared it the mom of the family started crying, and the Spirit testified that what I was saying was true. It was a beautiful experience. I love my Savior so much. Because of Him I know we can someday be with our loved ones again.
That story took a long time to type, so I apologize that I don't have much time for much more. Only 3 minutes are left. I want everyone to know that I know this gospel is true. I feel it all the time. I feel my Savior's love when I feel down about things or when my heart breaks when people choose not to accept this message. I'm growing to love these people so much. All of them. I know that power comes from reading our scriptures daily. We have been commanded to become like Christ. And through the scriptures is how we can better understand who our Savior was and is and recognize our weaknesses so that we can repent and become more like Him. Everything revolves around Him, and through Him we are connected to our Father in Heaven who loves us so much. I realize more and more every day that I am such a small tool in God's hands, but I am trying so hard to take care of this little area of this little city in this little country which God has entrusted me with. I love this work, I know it's true. I know that Christ lives, and I know He is our Savior. I miss you all, and you are in my prayers. I love you so much! Through the Atonement we get to be with each other forever.
s laskou,
Satu
s laskou,
Satu