Week 60 – Happy New Year!

Well 2014 is upon us already, weird to think that the last year has already come and gone. It really doesn't seem right! We will have to see what happens this year. 2013 was really great though in many regards, for one I was on my mission for the entire year, miracles are truly occurring in all of our lives right now. I think often we don't notice all of that which is happening, but when we take a moment to step back and think about all the good that is happening, we can't be anything less than grateful for how much the Lord blesses us each and every day. 

This last week was definitely full of some neat experiences, hopefully that comes as no surprise though. We were able to see a couple of the less-active members we have been working with. The first was with Sister Soriano. She is a returned missionary and everything, has been living here for a little while, just working and everything. We just got a hold of her a couple weeks ago because of a member family that lives on the other side of the city knows her and sent us her way with a card that we HAD to hand deliver.. pretty clever eh? So we ended up meeting her this last week and we got talking about what we can do that allows us to come closer to Christ. What steps we must take not just once in a while, but consistently to allow ourselves to feel of the spirit and be walking in the path that leads us back to our Father in Heaven. We shared Moroni 10:32 with her.. and allowed her to then take lead of the conversation. One thing led to another, and she herself (okay it was the spirit!) came to the conclusion she needs to attend church, that is her ungodliness, that is what separates her right now. Even in the lesson I couldn't help but smile, she was like, "Why are you smiling?!!" Then just started laughing, she knew exactly why! I am just so grateful for the spirit and what it does in the lives of all of us really. So grateful that regardless of my inability, that so long as I rely on the Spirit in this work that lives will be effected. I know that is a promise, not just something we can vaguely hope for. The spirit is what we need in our lives every step along the way. 

We also saw Rolando this week.. Sometimes I would say that the world seems to take precedence over this gospel, fortunate for Rolando he is beginning to see this and he is doing what he can to find his way back. He has a testimony, which is evident. It is now just about taking that testimony and have it be known through the actions that take place in our lives. He is really doing magnificently with all things considered. A great blessing of LA's, they always have friends that we are introduced to the gospel through them. We met at a non-members home this last week and may have something in the future with that man, we will see. 

One of our investigators, Charlie brought his wife over from the Philippines this last week, and we got the chance to meet her on New Year’s day, hopefully that will turn into something more and not be something that deters him from meeting with us. He is full of potential, well okay everyone is, but hopefully this week we can pick things up and step it up.

Our lesson with Abner went really well this week.. now that is about where it ends though. We have all these great lessons, we reach these conclusions and he makes decisions of what he needs to do to take it to the next level while he prepares for his baptism in February. We taught the doctrine of Church, really the what & why of attending, all while comparing any random church to what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints offers for him. We reached an end point, said okay we will see you at church tomorrow.. but no show. FRUSTRATING! I guess we will just keep working on that there!

Well, other things happened this week, but I don't feel like writing much more today! I love you all! I hope you have the greatest week ever. I hope you know, regardless of any situation, whatever is occurring in your life, that God loves us, He is magnificent, pure, and good. Our Heavenly Father is very aware of your situation, however common or however unique; he listens to your pleas. Our prayers are never voiced onto deaf ears. Jesus Christ knows exactly how to succor you, he knows how to cure your ills. Never doubt the reality and eternal truth that He loves you so dearly, so personally. Each time you turn to our Savior, he rejoices, "And how great is His joy in the soul that repenteth!" Repentance is change, change that is brought about because we have our Redeemer, our great Shepherd, that being our promised Messiah. I know He lives, I know that as we turn to him our lives are enriched and our souls filled with peace. 

Love you!

Elder McFall