Week 77 – 18 Months!

Too weird I tell you. I am going to finish my “sister mission” in a couple days when I hit the 18 month mark! Who knew! Doesn't seem right. This last week and everything that has been going on lately I feel that I am actually beginning to understand a little bit more of why things happen the way they do, and how our Father in Heaven will give us these different opportunities and experiences in our lives simply to help us as we move forward so we are best able to help those that He places in our paths. I cannot reinforce the importance of being who you are at all times and staying true to what you believe in because this is all the refining process that our Heavenly Father has in store. 

"Here then is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, wepass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted ofsome to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd." From a talk by Elder Faust back in '79. I have really just come to realize that part of this whole process we go through in life is realizing our own Divine Potential and identity that we inherently possess as spirit sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven. Although we pass through terrible trials and tribulation, most of which we simply wish would be taken from us, we are given those moments because He loves us and knows who we can become. 

We taught a man named Ibrahim this week! We found him through our area book. The missionaries have been trying to get a hold of him since December and finally this week was the first time something ever went through. We met him at a Tim Hortons, which if you are familiar with Canada at all, which you aren't, is basically like meeting at your own home. It is a culture up here to "make a timmy's trip". Anyways! We met him there and he described how he wants to really learn more about what we teach because what he has now just doesn't fit his life. We ended with giving him a copy of the Book of Mormon and a Lesson 1-Restoration pamphlet and setting a return appointment that he is excited to come to. As we were talking with him in the parking lot for a minute before we left a brother from the ward came up to him and was like, "When I met the missionaries they changed my life. The Book of Mormon is the best book you could ever get your hands on. Seriously, this is exactly what you need." Now what makes that even more neat is this is a brother who hasn't been out to church in a while. He is from a family we have been seeing weekly and working with. It was the neatest experience; really beginning to see that although some may not come around, this or that, they each have a testimony that we just have to let them reignite on their own. This Sunday, that same brother who hasn't been around in months made it out to Sacrament meeting and we were able to enjoy that with him. The Lord is seriously blessing us I tell ya. 

I think one other thing this week that I was praying and fasting specifically for was a better understanding how I can increase my faith that truly the Lord is Hastening His work, and that our Father is softening the hearts of the children of men. As I was in sacrament it kinda just came together. Interesting part was that it wasn't something new, but something that I had thought of in the past but haven't been actively working on nearly as much. It comes down to developing true Christ like love, or charity. We will see how I do though! 

Other than that the weather brought snow this last week, which was not cool. Things are coming around though. We will be meeting with a few people we found last week and had great conversations with this week so praying that all will go well! Can't wait to talk to the fam here on mother's day! Too weird that it'll be my last phone call home! Talk to you soon!

Love, Elder McFall

P.S. Due to the temple pday next week my emails will be coming in on Tuesday, rather than Monday. LOVE YOU!

Coolest Thing - All of these are hand made by this old Italian Guy.. it was sweet!

                                                                       Look, no snow (today)!