Hi Family and Friends!
This week has been a great test of faith and a builder of faith as well. Last Sunday, we had set up the baptism for the birthday investigator for the following Sunday, not knowing if she would make it. We made announcements and gave them to her to give to her family. But we decided that we were going to do our best and leave the rest of it up to the Lord. On Monday, she called us because she had something going on and wanted to meet earlier. It was amazing that she called us because she is sometimes forgetful. We thought that it was going to go smoothly the rest of the week. I don't know why I thought that because it never goes smoothly the week before a baptism. The next day we go over and she is mad at the world and wouldn't talk to us. So a day passes. But we kept calling people for the baptism and scheduling it. Wednesday comes and we call her and she is still hating the world. So we pray harder. The next day, she calls us and apologizes and asks us if we could come over. So we go over there and we are really worried that she will cancel the baptism. While we are sitting there talking to her, she brings up that she is making cakes. We ask what for and she says that she is making them for her baptism. Duh! She tells us that for those past two days, Satan had been working really hard on her and she would get thoughts to cancel the baptism or not go to church. So now we only had two days left to teach the rest of the lessons. We go over there on Friday, and as we teach the commandments we start gettting worried that she won't remember for the baptismal interview. But we put it in the Lord's hands again and we know that if she isn't ready the Lord will let the interviewer know and we would keep working with her. So we set up the time for the zone leaders to come by and interview her. We show up the next day and she's not there. Not again! We call her mom's, her brother's and no one knows where she is. So we pray again and ask that she could get her interview that day and we had full confidence that it would happen. Both us and the Elders kept stopping by all day long and then finally, two hours before curfew, she's home. She passes the interview and is super excited for Sunday. We go over all the problems that could stop her from coming to church and set up a game plan. Sunday comes, we stop by in the morning about an hour before church and see if she's up. She was already taking a shower and everything. So we drive to the church and have our meetings with the bishop. About 45 minutes later, the investigator's ride calls and said that the investigator didn't feel good and she isn't coming. (She was having major anxiety.) AWWW!!! So we take off to her house to bang down the door. She doesn't answer and we know she's there. We go back to the church in defeat but we knew that we did everything we could and the Lord had miracles happen all over the place to get her that far. Finding her was a miracle too. We did everything we could and so did the Lord, without taking away her agency. She just chose to use it in the wrong way. So we were exhausted at the end of the week and as we learned that it requires a lot of mental power and strength to have full confidence and faith in the Lord.
Faith is something that I've been learning very quickly. In my personal study this morning, I turned to my study journal and read notes I had taken from a conference talk in Nov 2003, "Seeing the promises afar off" by Anne Pingree. There are some quotes I wrote down and scriptures she used. I always turn to this when I need a boost.
D&C 123:17- "...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."
"Faith, the spiritual ability to be persuaded of promises that are seen "afar off" but that may not be attained in this life, is a sure measure of those who believe."
Heb. 11:13- "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them and embraced them..."
The hard part about faith is waiting on the Lord's timing. It might be tomorrow, it might be in a year, it might be in the next life but in Alma 37:17 it says,
"For He will fulfill all His promises which He shall make unto you..."
Faith needs to live within us and we need to live our faith.
Love Sister Sumsion
Monday, July 19
Monday, July 12
"The Book that saves souls."
Hi!
This week has been crazy! The birthday present investigator I mentioned last week went MIA for a couple of days and we were scrambling to find her. When we finally got a hold of her, we were amazed and our "joy was full". We knocked on her door to see if she was home, and luckily she was. As soon as she opened the door and we got a look at her, we could tell that she has been keeping her commitments. The light of Christ was just beaming from her and this once depressed person was grinning from ear to ear. She cleaned up herself a little bit and she looked great. The house even had a different feel to it. She had cleaned up her house and re-arranged a bit. She was so happy to see us! We started talking to her and she read everything we asked her to read. She said that she didn't quite understand it all but she loved it anyway and she knew that it made her feel better when she read from the BofM. She even told us that when she would have panic attacks, she would try to read but she couldn't focus so she would open up the BofM and place her hand on it while she prayed. She said that it made her feel better. The key to conversion is to gain a testimony of the BofM through the Holy Ghost and to do our part to gain that witness, we need to read it.
Her example is a strong testimony of the importance of church and the BofM. If we are struggling in our lives, we need to check ourselves and what we are doing. First, are we praying everyday? Second, are we reading the BofM everyday? Third are we going to church to partake of the sacrament worthily and going to all three hours, everyweek? If we do those things, we will be happier! We will still go through hard times but we came "endure them well" and "be of good cheer". Joseph Smith said about the BofM, "a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." Pres. Packer said, "In a world ever more dangerous...the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ has the nourishing power to heal starving spirits of the world." What a wonderful gift God has given us! He has given us a book that continues the fulness of the gospel with no error, no mistakes and with no questions of what God's standards are and what we can do to be happy. So many people are starving (spiritually) for the comfort that the BofM can bring because it WILL bring them closer to Christ and God. Pres. Hinckley promised that if when we read the BofM, "there will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." The world needs it and the gospel in its fulness. So share it! God will help you help his children. For this is His work and His Glory.
The gospel is true!
Love Sister Sumsion
This week has been crazy! The birthday present investigator I mentioned last week went MIA for a couple of days and we were scrambling to find her. When we finally got a hold of her, we were amazed and our "joy was full". We knocked on her door to see if she was home, and luckily she was. As soon as she opened the door and we got a look at her, we could tell that she has been keeping her commitments. The light of Christ was just beaming from her and this once depressed person was grinning from ear to ear. She cleaned up herself a little bit and she looked great. The house even had a different feel to it. She had cleaned up her house and re-arranged a bit. She was so happy to see us! We started talking to her and she read everything we asked her to read. She said that she didn't quite understand it all but she loved it anyway and she knew that it made her feel better when she read from the BofM. She even told us that when she would have panic attacks, she would try to read but she couldn't focus so she would open up the BofM and place her hand on it while she prayed. She said that it made her feel better. The key to conversion is to gain a testimony of the BofM through the Holy Ghost and to do our part to gain that witness, we need to read it.
Her example is a strong testimony of the importance of church and the BofM. If we are struggling in our lives, we need to check ourselves and what we are doing. First, are we praying everyday? Second, are we reading the BofM everyday? Third are we going to church to partake of the sacrament worthily and going to all three hours, everyweek? If we do those things, we will be happier! We will still go through hard times but we came "endure them well" and "be of good cheer". Joseph Smith said about the BofM, "a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." Pres. Packer said, "In a world ever more dangerous...the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ has the nourishing power to heal starving spirits of the world." What a wonderful gift God has given us! He has given us a book that continues the fulness of the gospel with no error, no mistakes and with no questions of what God's standards are and what we can do to be happy. So many people are starving (spiritually) for the comfort that the BofM can bring because it WILL bring them closer to Christ and God. Pres. Hinckley promised that if when we read the BofM, "there will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." The world needs it and the gospel in its fulness. So share it! God will help you help his children. For this is His work and His Glory.
The gospel is true!
Love Sister Sumsion
"The Book that saves souls."
Hi!
This week has been crazy! The birthday present investigator I mentioned last week went MIA for a couple of days and we were scrambling to find her. When we finally got a hold of her, we were amazed and our "joy was full". We knocked on her door to see if she was home, and luckily she was. As soon as she opened the door and we got a look at her, we could tell that she has been keeping her commitments. The light of Christ was just beaming from her and this once depressed person was grinning from ear to ear. She cleaned up herself a little bit and she looked great. The house even had a different feel to it. She had cleaned up her house and re-arranged a bit. She was so happy to see us! We started talking to her and she read everything we asked her to read. She said that she didn't quite understand it all but she loved it anyway and she knew that it made her feel better when she read from the BofM. She even told us that when she would have panic attacks, she would try to read but she couldn't focus so she would open up the BofM and place her hand on it while she prayed. She said that it made her feel better. The key to conversion is to gain a testimony of the BofM through the Holy Ghost and to do our part to gain that witness, we need to read it.
Her example is a strong testimony of the importance of church and the BofM. If we are struggling in our lives, we need to check ourselves and what we are doing. First, are we praying everyday? Second, are we reading the BofM everyday? Third are we going to church to partake of the sacrament worthily and going to all three hours, everyweek? If we do those things, we will be happier! We will still go through hard times but we came "endure them well" and "be of good cheer". Joseph Smith said about the BofM, "a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." Pres. Packer said, "In a world ever more dangerous...the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ has the nourishing power to heal starving spirits of the world." What a wonderful gift God has given us! He has given us a book that continues the fulness of the gospel with no error, no mistakes and with no questions of what God's standards are and what we can do to be happy. So many people are starving (spiritually) for the comfort that the BofM can bring because it WILL bring them closer to Christ and God. Pres. Hinckley promised that if when we read the BofM, "there will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." The world needs it and the gospel in its fulness. So share it! God will help you help his children. For this is His work and His Glory.
The gospel is true!
Love Sister Sumsion
This week has been crazy! The birthday present investigator I mentioned last week went MIA for a couple of days and we were scrambling to find her. When we finally got a hold of her, we were amazed and our "joy was full". We knocked on her door to see if she was home, and luckily she was. As soon as she opened the door and we got a look at her, we could tell that she has been keeping her commitments. The light of Christ was just beaming from her and this once depressed person was grinning from ear to ear. She cleaned up herself a little bit and she looked great. The house even had a different feel to it. She had cleaned up her house and re-arranged a bit. She was so happy to see us! We started talking to her and she read everything we asked her to read. She said that she didn't quite understand it all but she loved it anyway and she knew that it made her feel better when she read from the BofM. She even told us that when she would have panic attacks, she would try to read but she couldn't focus so she would open up the BofM and place her hand on it while she prayed. She said that it made her feel better. The key to conversion is to gain a testimony of the BofM through the Holy Ghost and to do our part to gain that witness, we need to read it.
Her example is a strong testimony of the importance of church and the BofM. If we are struggling in our lives, we need to check ourselves and what we are doing. First, are we praying everyday? Second, are we reading the BofM everyday? Third are we going to church to partake of the sacrament worthily and going to all three hours, everyweek? If we do those things, we will be happier! We will still go through hard times but we came "endure them well" and "be of good cheer". Joseph Smith said about the BofM, "a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." Pres. Packer said, "In a world ever more dangerous...the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ has the nourishing power to heal starving spirits of the world." What a wonderful gift God has given us! He has given us a book that continues the fulness of the gospel with no error, no mistakes and with no questions of what God's standards are and what we can do to be happy. So many people are starving (spiritually) for the comfort that the BofM can bring because it WILL bring them closer to Christ and God. Pres. Hinckley promised that if when we read the BofM, "there will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." The world needs it and the gospel in its fulness. So share it! God will help you help his children. For this is His work and His Glory.
The gospel is true!
Love Sister Sumsion
Tuesday, July 6
"Happy Birthday" - Heavenly Father
Hi!
So my 22nd birthday was this week and I can't believe how old I am. I opened my wonderful package from my mother that morning. I never thought I'd be so excited to get suit jackets and blazers. And mom, they fit great! I love them! My mom sent party supplies so we could have our own party but we were waiting till p-day to bake a cake. Then we had district meeting that morning where they sang happy birthday and then we went back to work. Afterwards me and my companion were going to go to a amazing pizza place to eat lunch. But when we got there we realized that it was going to take longer than an hour to cook and eat. We were too far from home to go and eat there, so we went to the closest place- a gas station. Wonderful... On my birthday I ate lunchables in a gas station parking lot. Pretty exciting! We laugh about it alot now. But we saw a lot of the Lord's tender mercies that day. I was thinking about homemade ice cream all week and how I could have asked Mom to make me some at home for my birthday. But when we show up at a member's home for dinner, who didn't know it was my birthday, she had made homemade ice cream. I was so excited!
But the best present of the day came later that night. Heavenly Father gave me a wonderful present, actually two presents. Here is a backdrop for the situation and setting. A week before we had been trying to get a hold of a former investigator that we felt really good about. When we tried to see her we found that she had moved and the phone number was wrong. So we dropped it. But a week later, we were scheduled to meet with a less-active member. We called him a couple of minutes before his appointment and he said that he had forgotten about it but we could come see him at his friend's house. "Perfect!" we thought. Teach him and the friend. So when we show up and when the friend introduces herself we realize that she is the former we were looking for. We teach her about the Restoration and she starts crying after the 1st vision saying how much she needs this in her life and how much peace she can feel at that moment (spirit!). She accepts a baptismal date without hesitation. She is has had an extremely rough life and she can feel the joy that it brings so she wants it soooo badly. She has been prepared by God to receive us. The next day we had the Elders come over and bless her home and give her a bless. She was crying through the whole blessing and couldn't stop thanking us for teaching her. We talked to her about church and how people dress there. She said that she didn't have skirts or nice clothes. But we were prepared and inspired to bring her clothes the night before. So we whip out a skirt and blouse and said, "No worries, we brought you a present!" She was floored by the gift and started crying again. She even modeled them for us and she was so excited to wear them to church. She came to church on Sunday and loved it. What a wonderful birthday present! I love my Heavenly Father! She is set for the 18th but we might move it a little sooner because she is just so willing.
I got another present the day after. Someone me and S. Hamilton had taught for awhile in La Junta got baptized. He was the 16 year old boy we were teaching. He was confirmed on Sunday and received the priesthood and is set to pass the sacrament next sunday then bless the sacrament the week after. I was sad that I didn't get to go to his baptism but we were working hard here in Pueblo!
Remember if we have faith and involve the Lord through prayer, He will prepare our neighbors, friends and family for the gospel. We just have to be willing to share.
Love Sister Sumsion
So my 22nd birthday was this week and I can't believe how old I am. I opened my wonderful package from my mother that morning. I never thought I'd be so excited to get suit jackets and blazers. And mom, they fit great! I love them! My mom sent party supplies so we could have our own party but we were waiting till p-day to bake a cake. Then we had district meeting that morning where they sang happy birthday and then we went back to work. Afterwards me and my companion were going to go to a amazing pizza place to eat lunch. But when we got there we realized that it was going to take longer than an hour to cook and eat. We were too far from home to go and eat there, so we went to the closest place- a gas station. Wonderful... On my birthday I ate lunchables in a gas station parking lot. Pretty exciting! We laugh about it alot now. But we saw a lot of the Lord's tender mercies that day. I was thinking about homemade ice cream all week and how I could have asked Mom to make me some at home for my birthday. But when we show up at a member's home for dinner, who didn't know it was my birthday, she had made homemade ice cream. I was so excited!
But the best present of the day came later that night. Heavenly Father gave me a wonderful present, actually two presents. Here is a backdrop for the situation and setting. A week before we had been trying to get a hold of a former investigator that we felt really good about. When we tried to see her we found that she had moved and the phone number was wrong. So we dropped it. But a week later, we were scheduled to meet with a less-active member. We called him a couple of minutes before his appointment and he said that he had forgotten about it but we could come see him at his friend's house. "Perfect!" we thought. Teach him and the friend. So when we show up and when the friend introduces herself we realize that she is the former we were looking for. We teach her about the Restoration and she starts crying after the 1st vision saying how much she needs this in her life and how much peace she can feel at that moment (spirit!). She accepts a baptismal date without hesitation. She is has had an extremely rough life and she can feel the joy that it brings so she wants it soooo badly. She has been prepared by God to receive us. The next day we had the Elders come over and bless her home and give her a bless. She was crying through the whole blessing and couldn't stop thanking us for teaching her. We talked to her about church and how people dress there. She said that she didn't have skirts or nice clothes. But we were prepared and inspired to bring her clothes the night before. So we whip out a skirt and blouse and said, "No worries, we brought you a present!" She was floored by the gift and started crying again. She even modeled them for us and she was so excited to wear them to church. She came to church on Sunday and loved it. What a wonderful birthday present! I love my Heavenly Father! She is set for the 18th but we might move it a little sooner because she is just so willing.
I got another present the day after. Someone me and S. Hamilton had taught for awhile in La Junta got baptized. He was the 16 year old boy we were teaching. He was confirmed on Sunday and received the priesthood and is set to pass the sacrament next sunday then bless the sacrament the week after. I was sad that I didn't get to go to his baptism but we were working hard here in Pueblo!
Remember if we have faith and involve the Lord through prayer, He will prepare our neighbors, friends and family for the gospel. We just have to be willing to share.
Love Sister Sumsion
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