So on Wednesday we were able to go on exchanges with the Zone Leaders. I went with Elder Jenkins in his area and it was a great experience. I really got to know him much better and we became much closer. I love the missionaries I serve around and I am so thankful for being able to serve around them and learn from them. That night as I was writing in my Journal and the thought came to me how often I receive direction from the lord on where I need to go or what I need to do. And how often I put it off or ignore it because I think I know better or because it seems too hard at the time. Heavenly Father only wants the best for me and he only tells me to do things that would bring me the most happiness, but sometimes I am too foolish or stubborn to listen. Then I remembered the quote by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. "You can have what you want, or you can have something better." My testimony grew on that principle this week. As I listened to the promptings that came to me and followed them. I was able to witness miracles.
On Friday as Elder Maloy and I were biking to dinner. We saw Donald and Denise sitting in their garage talking and so we stopped to talk to them. They were really curious about what we believed and had a strong faith in Jesus Christ. We asked if we could share a message about it and they said yes. The mom got excited and went to go get 3 of her daughters to listen as well. Destiny, Elaina, and Priscilla. It went so well. We were able to give them each a Book of Mormon so they could read and pray about it. They all wanted to come to church but unfortunately the mom and dad had to work on Sunday so the 3 girls committed to coming.
So fast forward to Sunday Morning Elder Maloy and I are waiting outside the chapel to see if any of our investigators show up and then right as church is about to start we see 5 girls walk up! Destiny, Elaina, and Priscilla came and brought their two other sisters as well, Nina and Aaliyah. We were so excited to see them all here at church! After Sacrament meeting was over, I have never seen more people in the ward come up and say hi to them, welcome them, and just let them feel loved. We were there for 15 minutes after the meeting ended because so many people were talking to them. It was one of the most amazing things to witness. I have never seen the ward reach out to anyone like that. If there is nothing else these 5 daughters of God took away from church they knew they were loved here.
On top of those 5 young women coming, Emily and Charles also came with their family! This has been a fantastic week for them as well. They were able to read the scriptures every day and they talked about how much of a difference it made in their life at home with their family. They said it brought more peace, prevented contention and overall just made their day happier. They are both so committed now, and are starting to make real progress.
Things are going fantastic here in the Del Campo ward. I love the people here more and more everyday. A scripture that President Jardine shared with me this week was D&C 123:17 "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." I love that scripture. Especially biking as much as we did this week in the 100 degree weather it is hard to be cheerful. But God has commanded us to cheerfully do ALL things that lie in our power. That means everything we do should be done with a cheerful heart. Then as we are cheerful we are promised that we may "stand still". I love that the word still is used there. In the scriptures in means confident. In the Old Testament the Holy Ghost is referred to as a "still small voice" 1 Kings 19:12 and again in Psalms 46:10 God says "Be still and know that I am God" As we cheerfully do all things we may stand confident to see the salvation of God and to reveal is arm in all things.
I love this gospel. It is true. I know it is. But whether I or anyone else believes it's true or not doesn't make it any less true. The gospel contains the plan our Father in Heaven has created for us to return to live with him. It is the only way to true and eternal happiness. Jesus Christ is the savior and redeemer of the world. He is the only way. Through him the plan is fulfilled. I am thankful for the wonderful opportunity I have to study the gospel every day and share it with others. I know it is true.
Elder Hallmark
Some of our zone played volleyball today
Elder Maloy and I
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