Some of the highlights: Had a
last meeting with an investigator. Prepared guy, let me tell you. He's
moving to Seoul, but we've been meeting for 4 weeks, and he's accepted
the message of the Restoration, the Plan of Salvation, and the Gospel of
Jesus Christ really well. And when it came up that he's moving, He asked
Us to introduce him to the missionaries up there. There's a new light in
his eyes each time we met. He reads and prays so well, and he told us he
felt something different when he prayed with us for the last time. He's
so ready to receive the Gospel, we're going to be following up a lot as
he keeps meeting in Seoul. His family is still down here, so he plans
to visit a lot. Such a great person, we'll both miss him a ton.
Also, there's a program here to help with member
missionary work. First off, we always pray for members. We pray for
them, and they pray for our investigators. We've so many miracles like
the investigator who disappeared for two months and came back. Now we're
praying for them. And specifically, we pray with a ward list next to
us, and we pray to know who has someone near them that is being prepared
to receive the Gospel. If a name comes, talk to them. If not, don't
worry. But when we talk, simply share the experience, acknowledge they
probably don't know who it is either, but ask them to pray to know who,
and how they can invite. So far, we've had two names come to mind. First
time, the member brought a friend to church, even before we had a
chance to talk to him. Then this week, the name of a less active came to
mind. We went to visit last night, and before we could mention it, he
said he knew someone for us to visit. Needless to say, we were surprised
both times, but it was pretty amazing.
We had a good Christmas, and I've been able to learn
a lot recently. One thing about having a district to look after. Makes
you think a LOT. This week, my thoughts are on Ammon and Aaron, and some
differences in their experiences. Alma 17-21ish if you're interested.
Ammon became a servant, and sought for them to become his friends and
"brethren" (Alma 17:30). Aaron and some of the others were more simply "contending about the word" (Alma 21:11). At least at first. It changed after they met up with Ammon again. Results changed too.
Last week, the impression that came was that what we
teach doesn't help them nearly as much as what they learn on their own.
Our goal should always be to help them learn for themselves. Especially
through the scriptures.
This week, the impression is that in order to help
them do that, we must first be their friends, their brethren. We must
love them and want their happiness. That should be more important to us
that simply teaching material. Big lesson that I wanted to remember. And
it's something we always need a refresher on sometimes.
The feeling is just so weird sometimes. Having ideas
of things I need to consider and study, extending beyond myself. As a
result, it helps me a lot more than anything else. But I've really come
to learn how sacred that time is in District Meeting. It's a time where
we can receive revelation. And preparing for it, I've felt that
revelation come a number of times. Sometimes through external sources.
This morning, I read it in the Book of Mormon, President Shin even
mentioned it in the Conference Call with the mission this week. It all
confirmed the things I was already thinking about. The spirit truly is a
powerful thing.
But it's not just in missionary work. Every week our
family has District Meeting. It just goes by the name of Family Home
Evening. Every week we have an opportunity to create an environment to
receive revelation. And in preparing for it, we can experience those
same impressions. When I made that connection, it brought a lot of
peace. Heaven knows, I'd miss this feeling if I couldn't have it anymore
after my mission. But we all can. That's the beauty of the Gospel.
~~~~
It may not show, but
that's been on my mind a lot lately. But in other news, life is good, I
love the tie you guys sent me. Everything else is amazing too, but that
was something I've been looking forward to. It's nice to look at in the
morning. I hope you guys enjoyed the phone call as much as I did. I know
it can be stress sometimes with such a short time, but I loved it.
I hope you are all doing well! I love you! Have an awesome week, and remember that God loves you! Happy new year!
~Elder Robarts
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