Smoothies, Loads, and Queen Esther

September 8, 2014

 All y'all,

We are blessed with a pretty awesome problem...we are overwhelmed because we have SO much work to do! Last week, we had fourteen appointments with investigators set up before the week even started. This upcoming week is the same-- we already have ten lessons with investigators scheduled, plus four service projects, dinners, daily team ups, tracting, exchanges, and member lessons. I've felt more overwhelmed than I have in a while, but incredibly grateful to be so busy with investigators!! This area is abundant with people prepared to listen to the restored gospel.  I'm learning a lot of patience, because not everyone we're teaching is progressing as quickly as I want them to. But I'm grateful to be playing some small role in God's timeline for helping these people accept the gospel and the Atonement of Christ in their lives. 

Trung, the kind Vietnamese man from last week, canceled his appointment at the door but offered us ten or twenty referrals by next time. How's THAT for a consolation prize?! We're hoping for a stellar lesson and a full bucket of referrals this Friday.

And. You will never in your life guess who I met this week. 
Elvis? No, much more pizzazz. 
Ironman? No, much more strength! 
The Queen of England? No....but close.
Ladies and gentlemen, I met Queen Esther! 

How, you may ask? Well...maybe not the exact same Queen Esther the Old Testament boasts of. This Queen Esther is in her sixties, black, and living in Lawrenceville, Georgia with a different last name. But her name really is Queen Esther! The Bishop suggested several less active members to visit, and she was one of them. When we walked in, she said, "I don't think I'll ever be coming back to church...like ever." She hasn't been to church in more than twenty years. Our team up really connected with her and helped resolve her concerns, like what to wear to church and getting a ride, among other things. The Spirit was subtly, but clearly there. By the end of our meeting, Queen's countenance changed. She got excited about coming to the ward picnic, and said, "I just felt good about it as soon as it came outta yo mouth!" We're going to read the Book of Mormon with her on Wednesday and hopefully she'll be back at church soon! 

Jeff & Georgina didn't come to church, but we did teach them once. It wasn't our best lesson but they still want to learn. There was an interesting point when Georgina (Catholic) said, "I know Catholics baptize babies, but I don't think that's right...it's not your decision when you're a baby, and babies are pure anyway." I was able to point out that her religion preaches differently than she believes, and that she was correct, infant baptism was wrong. I testified of the Restoration, that it was a blessing to have all the puzzle pieces of doctrine we need so we don't need to pick and choose what to believe. I think that brought the Spirit. They're still on date for the 27th but aren't reading regularly, so we may need to push back their date. We'll also be teaching another family, the Muellers, on Tuesday (we're having dinner with them in a member's home!). I'm so privileged to be working with families!

We have found great wisdom in taking small 5-10 minute breaks. One day we were both struggling, and smoothies were the answer. We had lunch break time left over, and our stress levels were too high, so I felt right about making a pit stop for smoothies. It was incredible how much it helped! We were able to get back to work refreshed and more calm. When your load gets too heavy, stop. Take a step back, breath, and remember Mosiah 4:27:

"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength..."

I know from experience that God always provides a way for you to accomplish His will. In that way, we are blessed with unending strength! I challenge each of you to pray for opportunities to be a light to others. By word, by example, and in our service, we can show others the love Heavenly Father has for each of them.

Hope your week isn't as muggy as mine!
Sister Taylor
2) Sister Hawkins and I at the mission office. :)