Celine Dion, Going Strong, and an Ensign-Worthy Walmart Wonder!
January 12, 2015
Y'ALL.
Have you ever heard a mission story and just gone, "That doesn't happen in real life!!"??
Well folks, I experienced it. Have I got the miracle-of-a-life-time-story for YOU!
This last week, we had our P-day (day to grocery shop, email, etc) on Tuesday instead of Monday due to a meeting schedule. So on Tuesday afternoon, we were walking briskly across the Walmart parking lot when an eighteen year old girl across the way stopped, and said, "I know this is a really weird question, but do you know where I could find a Book of Mormon?"
We stood there with blank faces and dumbfoundedly handed her one. She introduced herself as Alexa and went on to explain that her boyfriend, living in Florida, is Mormon and preparing to serve a mission. She decided she wants to look into it for herself without telling him. "I want this to be my journey," she said. So, she had come to Walmart just to look for a Book of Mormon! Exiting empty handed, she found us outside the doors. No coincidence there! When we asked for her number, she said she'd just text us first, and we walked away hoping she'd follow through. Oftentimes that's an excuse to not talk to us again. But sure enough, she texted us right away and we set up an appointment for the next day.
That's not all! The next day we swapped with the UGA sisters so Alexa could meet the sisters who teach students her age. Sister Yeager and I went contacting while Sister Porter and Sister Tau'aho taught Alexa. They sure had a story for me when we came back!
Not only had Alexa annotated, in detail, the first several introductory pages of the Book of Mormon, but at the end of the lesson, she said, "Oh, can I say the prayer? Teach me how to do it!" She began her prayer, but abruptly interrupted herself and said, "Oh! Don't let me forget to tell you a story after this!" After the prayer, Alexa explained an even more incredible back story.
On Monday night, the day before she met us, her boyfriend had practiced the first lesson on her via Skype, and she had pondered it while she prepared for bed. She decided she needed to talk to God about it. She knelt by her bedside, and though unfamiliar with prayer, asked Him to show her the direction she needed to take. She told Him she would do whatever it took if she knew it was true. She also asked Him to show her a sign that this was the right direction.
The next day, she felt prompted to go to Walmart to return a Redbox DVD, and decided she may as well look for a Book of Mormon, too. Then she met us outside the doors. We were speechless. There are absolutely no coincidences with an all-loving, omniscient Being. I LOVE Heavenly Father and his perfect plans!
In other news, Sister Porter discovered my fabulous Celine Dion impression this week, so I've been volunteered to share it several times. It's brought some laughs all around. Joy is often found in the little things!
Today we had Sisters P-day with a few sister companionships in the zone. We met up early for a pancake-french toast-banana bread breakfast, then after studies we went to a thrift store and tried on outfits according to themes we drew from a jar. Mine was the Red Carpet, and others included Eighties Cheerleader, Chic Vampire, Grandma at a Garden Party, and Modern Jane Austen. I included a picture of our adventure. It was fun to spend time with the sisters!
I had a neat experience being led by the Spirit while we taught Kaylee! Her job has her working long night hours that make 9am church near impossible to attend. In our lesson, I felt prompted to say that God will provide a way for her to come to church if she puts Him first, even if that means quitting her job. It was a little scary to say something so bold and risky, but that morning I had read a line from my mission setting-apart blessing that said, "At times you will be prompted to speak very boldly, but be not afraid. The Spirit will lead you to say what He wants you to testify of." That gave me courage to say it. We could tell she had a lot on her mind when we left, but I knew I had said the right thing. I'm hoping she'll be able to get Sundays off so she can come to church! I learned that the Lord does His work through you when you're willing to be malleable in His hands.
A recent convert from last month, Ana, brought her friend Angela to church, and she's now a new investigator! It's pretty amazing to see people so new to the church already reaching out to bring their friends to the gospel. To me, that's further proof that it's true. You don't share something that doesn't matter to you, that doesn't make you happy! The more I learn the gospel, the more I love it. I hope I can keep the courage I've gained for when I continue missionary work at home!
The work is going strong! I encourage you to pray for missionary opportunities. They're the funnest thing in the world, and Heavenly Father gets pretty creative in giving you opportunities to share your testimony! As you are willing to act, Heavenly Father always provides the courage to speak and the words to say, along with the opportunity. I know you can do it!
Lots of love from your Georgia Peach!
Sister Taylor
(**future update: Kaylee did get a new job, and Ana's friend Angela did get baptized. :)**)
The country store in Maxeys, an adorable little one-main-street town you can literally blink and miss while you drive by (if you drive by!). We love the charm.
Sisters P-Day at Goodwill! Left to right: Sisters Tau'aho, Yeager, Rowley, Bone, Taylor (me), Porter