couple of weeks ago! It was so inspiring to see how everything comes
from councils and how we all come to a decision together. We focus a
lot on having visions and goals. We set realistic goals for the next
year based off of how we did as a mission last year then we increase
it so we can grow our faith! It was amazing to see how possible our
goal looked even though it increased a lot in the last year. We
accounted for people who were really solid and going to be baptized
that month and if they fell off and weren't baptized then, we talked
about what lacked and what we could to do next time to prevent it from
happening again. It was so amazing to see how we saw on a board each
individual and what their progression was and how they're looking for
the upcoming month. Our goal wasn't just a number, we had many names
to back it up and what their trials of faith were. I really like how
this keeps us all accountable to our purpose as a missionary to
"invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the
restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement,
repentance, BAPTISM, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring
to the end"! We know baptism is only the gateway on this straight and
narrow path!
So just a couple of updates on who we are teaching. Stephanie is
looking really solid for January 30th! She's in her mid 30's and has 5
year old twins who are adorable! Basically Heavenly Father just gave
her to us to teach us. She was a headquarters referral and she's been
friends with members most of her life. The friends who introduced her
to the church are basically her adopted family and they're flying out
from Arkansas (pronounced ar-Kansas, not Arkansaw :) to see the
baptism and participate in the program. It's so crazy because when
people first met her from the ward they thought she was already a
member and just visiting. She's a dry Mormon, she just needs a little
water. We know she is going to do great works after she is baptized.
We can definitely see her in the General Relief Society Presidency!
We met this lady named Kim about a month ago and gave her a BoM. She's
been super busy and so she said to come back in a month. We tried to
see her before then but it never worked out. So we called her and set
up a time to go see her the other day. She's in her 30's and has kids
and she lives with her mom who is not a fan of Mormons. Her family
didn't react well when she said we could come over. She was waiting on
her porch in the 10 degree weather for our appointment. It was so cool
to talk to her for about an hour. It seemed like only 15 mins because
she had all of these questions and we had the answers! We taught her
the restoration and she totally understood the apostasy, prophets, and
why we need a prophet today! I don't think I've had anyone understand
the priesthood authority as well as she did. She even told us that she
knew we were sent from God to teach her. It was so amazing! She even
remembered Moroni 10:3-5 and she prayed and got an answer from God
this was true! She's so elect! There's going to be a lot of trials
with her being able to get to church, but she'll make it this week!
Our ward mission leader is the best and we had a movie night "Meet the
Mormons". A lot of members in our ward have already seen it so not too
many people came. They all made jokes that they already knew the
Mormons so they didn't need to come. It was mostly an activity to get
members to invite their non-member friends. I'm amazed how many
members invited people to the activity. They weren't able to come but
A for effort. Actually, there were lots of investigators there (more
than members) so I would say it was pretty successful!
Those were just a couple of highlights! I'm excited to be sticking
with Sister Jensen for another transfer (maybe 2 more) and I'm loving
it in the Lake Shawnee Ward in Topeka! This past Sunday was Ward
conference she we had the amazing opportunity to hear from our stake
leaders. Opening up the conference this guy in our ward who is a
little bit older gave the prayer. During the beginning of his prayer a
child started crying and throwing a fit so the parent took him out of
the chapel. During that whole time, he paused his prayer until it was
silent then he said, "Thank you for the little children. We love
them... and the sounds they make." He said it in the most sincerity of
his heart. I'm surprised how composed he sounded and how no one else
was laughing (or at least that I could hear).
For sacrament our bishop talked about the atonement and it was so
powerful! It was mostly just inspiring to hear that he even struggles
too and no one is perfect. We don't have to change who we are by
ourselves and then come to Christ when we're perfect, we come to
Christ first and he helps us change. The spirit was so strong as he
described the love Jesus Christ has for us and how he atoned for every
pain, not only sin, but also sadness, loneliness, sickness, and every
trial we go through. He's the only one who completely understands us.
I know Jesus Christ lives and is literally here beside us. :)
I love all of you! Thank you for your prayers!
Love,
Sister Webb
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