Nothing's too good for the Lord!

 22 August 2021 

 

Dear Family & Friends, 

This week has been mostly occupied with a Mission Conference and with reaching out to less-active or unknown sisters. (This would be the list of sisters who—for a variety of reasons—have not been assigned a ministering sister.) 




Here are the highlights: 

Monday, August 16 – I designed a flyer for us to take to inactive persons in the ward.  It says “Just popping by….” and includes our names, the time and location of church. We put these into little gift bags including a package of microwavable popcorn and pass-along cards.  

In the evening we went to a Devotional for senior missionaries.  Elder Shayne M Bowen (a Seventy) and his wife spoke to us.  It was very inspiring!  He said that by serving a mission we are literally living the law of consecration. And he said our families would be blessed for our service.  

He also told us that because the Salt Lake Temple is under construction that our leaders are meeting across the street in the Joseph Smith Building.  He said that the 8th floor of the Joseph Smith Building has been dedicated for the general authorities to use for their meetings.  He said it has also been decorated to match—in every detail—the room in the Salt Lake Temple where they used to meet.  Nothing too good for the Lord! 

Tuesday, August 17 – We went to a Mission Conference wherein Elder Bowen spoke to all the missionaries.  He emphasized the five basic elements of a testimony and emphasized that a testimony is that which the Holy Ghost has revealed to you.  (Which excludes a lot of stuff people sometimes share in a “testimony” meeting.) 

He told us to pray for courage to share the gospel.  He said when doubt & fear enter our minds to say, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”  He pointed out that if you don’t think you can do something then you can’t.  He illustrated this point by telling about Roger Bannister who was the first person to break the 4 minute mile.  Before Roger Banister people didn’t think a human could ever run a mile in under 4 minutes.  It was considered “the impossible barrier” beyond human reach.  But within a year of Bannister’s feat, four more athletes broke the record.  Today, there are high school students who run a mile in under 4 minutes. The bottom line is that whether or not you think you can do something, you are right.

Wednesday, August 18 – We visited Sheri and helped with her Braille lesson.  After our visit with Sheri we drove to homes of the less-active or unknown sisters (see paragraph 1 of this letter.)  At one address we were unable to find the person we were looking for, but we spoke to two of the neighbors, neither of whom were members of the church.  We gave a gift bag to each of the neighbors with a brief explanation of who we are.  I love this work! 

Thursday, August 19 – We had a lesson with Darlene.  The elders taught about the restoration.  Sister Judd, a ward member was there.  She bore a POWERFUL testimony.  Darlene agreed to go to church Sunday.  

Friday, August 20 – Sister Gray wasn’t feeling well this morning, so I went and got a haircut.  I spoke briefly about the restored gospel to the woman who cut my hair.  She changed the subject to the weather.  Oh well, maybe someone else in the salon heard the message.  I helped teach ESL in the evening.  At the end of the lesson, the Hermanas always invite the students to stay for a brief message about the gospel—which usually includes a scripture and testimony.  Hermana Sampson read a scripture from the Book of Mormon and bore a powerful testimony!  They have two students now who want to learn more about the gospel! 

Saturday, August 21 –We visited several addresses of people in the ward. One couple invited us in and gave us cold water bottles. I was so surprised by their kindness that I didn’t think about sharing a gospel message with them.  We’ll do better next time!  At another house, the person we spoke to told us of the serious health challenges his family is facing.  We couldn’t do anything but promise we would pray for them.  (And we will return for another visit.)  Just then a beautiful blue monarch butterfly landed at our feet as if to remind us of a loving creator who spared no detail in creating this beautiful world.  (Nothing’s too good for the Lord!) 

Sunday, August 22 – My companion and I taught Relief Society. The room had no chalk-board, no table or podium, no clock to keep an eye on, and my mind went blank…but the sisters were great and somehow things worked out because this is God’s work!   

I love you all, 

Sister Manwaring 

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