Week 91 – Transfers!

This week we had a lot of experiences where I am absolutely sure that we have been able to be instruments in the Hands of the Lord. We have been able to have many opportunities where simply we are loving others and just being who we are, that those moments turn into powerful experiences. We had one with our new friend Chris. He came over and we talked in the parking lot of our apartment, well the grass beside it, for about an hour and just answered different questions and helped him to learn more about the gospel. He saw how we lived the gospel and that was what really sparked interest. He began asking more and more questions about baptism and how he could do this type of missionary work down the road. Hoping we will really be able to teach him. Another was an experience we had with a couple by the names of Allen and Linda. We were about to go to our supper and we saw a car with a Filipino sticker, that is a big thing we look for when we are out and about. We knocked this house and found a fella that was interested in our message and said we could come back the next day. (I tell you this because it all comes together in the end.)Then as we came back from supper that same night we talked to Allen and Linda and had a good chat. The next morning as we tried by that new potential again, Allen came out and had this smokehouse thing on his porch, then invited us over to his place for BBQ that night. Of course we accepted! We went over that night and turns out this guy is even a chef! So we had some delicious food, and were able to really tell them so much about what our church believes and bear simple testimony of the gospel. It was just a huge blessing that I know was also us being put in the path of others.

We have had so many experiences this last week where we would receive a prompting to do this or do that and it always led to us finding someone who was ready for the gospel and willing to have us back to teach more. It is just so powerful to really feel you being led by the hand of the Lord and seeing Him use you the way He would be ministering to others. I think that is one of the great lessons I have been learning; we need to minister to others in the same pattern of our Savior. That whole "I am trying to be like Jesus" has taken upon a different form lately as it has been not just trying to develop his characteristics, but allowing those characteristics to then transform the way you act and minister to others. To teach in the Savior's way is something I have really set my goals on. So many lessons to be learned!

I wish I could read some other books more. I am loving the scriptures though! I have developed the biggest love for the scriptures on my mission. As we look into the gospel, all things are made possible through the Atonement. Everything we do is because of that great and last sacrifice, which is eternal. That is the most incredible gift that we do not understand the way we should. As we understand the Atonement we more fully understand the need to help others to delve into and allow that power to change them. We can change because he atoned for us. The redeeming, exalting, and enabling powers are each able to stand on their own and I could take forever it seems like. Yet, I still have just an infancy of knowledge when it comes to the Atonement and what is truly made possible because of it. Another thing that I love about the restored gospel is that with the Plan of Salvation we don’t just have a "hope" of seeing others. Hope is transformed into surety and knowledge. I absolutely know surety that what we have in knowledge of the Plan of Salvation is real. We will be with our loved ones as we are obedient to the words of Christ and take upon ourselves through covenant promises of eternity. I know others want this, I know they need this, we just need to offer it continually. They may reject our invitation, but if we invite, it may leave a feeling of wonder and desire to then look into things deeper. That is the beauty, we then are entitled, I use entitled deliberately, to revelation. It is a grand promise.

We had a great turn out this week at church! Josephine was there! And Isaac, a new investigator in our ward, was at church. Then for less actives and returning members we had Brother Paghubasan, Brother Tagabuan, Brother Roche, Silagiora Family. I know it isn't because of anything we have done and we are just great missionaries. I know it is because the spirit of the Lord is working with them and helping them to make those necessary changes in their lives. If we can simply teach in a way that the spirit will bear truth, they will feel that and want to be different, ultimately to repent.

There is so much to say! We had transfers, and sadly I will no longer be doing Tagalog work. I love the Filipino people, I really do. I will miss them so much! It is like a chapter of my mission has come to a close, I guess that is what happens the closer you get to going home. I will be with Elder Sliver, he is a great elder. It caught me by surprise, I'll be honest. I didn't see this one coming. Pres. Manion got quite emotional though as he explained my assignment and how I am an answer to many prayers from him and just how grateful he is. It will be a good experience I am sure. I really feel we will be able to do a great work here in the Castledowns ward. Excited to see what the future holds!
Thanks for everything! I love you all!
Love, Elder McFall

Morning sports!