Another week has passed and it's officially been my one month mark out here in Dinkytown! Woot Wooten! Things are only getting better and better. and colder and colder. Luckily, not much snow, or any snow at all, except for that one morning.
This week, we had an appointments jammed packed week. There were two days where we literally had six appointments almost back to back, with only an hour for lunch and dinner in between. I was physically and spiritually drained at the end of both those days. Amazing thing was that, my companion Sister Smith was actually super sick for one of those days. But another testimony to me that the Lord does qualify His missionaries when they are obedient was that she was still able to carry out her duties. I was super glad that I was able to put all of the drugs that Dad gave me to good use. so Thanks Dad for pushing me to bring all those meds! She took some stomach meds, then a nap early in the morning that day since she was up puking all night, and while I prayed for her, She woke up right on time feeling a whole lot better! Miracle right there again! Honestly, she was not even able to walk that morning, let alone have to walk to the institute and teach all day!
Miracle:
I think our biggest miracles this week were the fact that we had two days filled with six scheduled investigator lessons. Both days, all six investigators confirmed and showed up to the lessons. We were kept very busy indeed!
Another one of our miracles this week occurred over the weekend. We had our second lesson with Muhammad on Saturday. We were expecting a lot of arguments and doubts from him, judging by our first lesson, but miraculously, he was very willing to listen and process what we taught him. Although he was still very skeptical and unbelieving at the end of the lesson, he was willing to pray! It was a very interesting prayer indeed, actually quite disrespectful in some sense, however, he was willing to ask through his prayer whether or not what we taught that day was true. Funny note, he ended the prayer by saying " In the name of God's only son...if he even had one, apparently named Jesus Christ, Amen" (Since he didn't believe in Jesus Christ, he tried to "tactfully" dodge accidentally showing that he believes). HILARIOUS! The miracle didn't end there, late Saturday night, he texted and ask, "do I need to dress up for church?" We were overjoyed that he was willing to come to church, and so he did! He even stayed for all three hours! Miracles all around indeed.
Progressing Investigator:
Pan from Thailand is our sweet progressing investigator. We had a tender experience with her this past weekend as we joined together in a fast to pray that she will have the strength to tell her mother about her choice to be baptized. Also in hopes that her family's hearts will be softened when she does tell them. Our prayers were answered as she attended church and listened to a very inspiring lesson from a guest speaker during Relief Society. Sister Ostvig was a convert herself at the age of 20. She received a lot of opposition from her parents and grandmother, but in the end, everything worked out and her family never had a negative comment about her joining the church. Sister Ostvig was a great example to Pan, and we can't wait to see how that nourishment of the good words will blossom within her.
I think our biggest miracles this week were the fact that we had two days filled with six scheduled investigator lessons. Both days, all six investigators confirmed and showed up to the lessons. We were kept very busy indeed!
Another one of our miracles this week occurred over the weekend. We had our second lesson with Muhammad on Saturday. We were expecting a lot of arguments and doubts from him, judging by our first lesson, but miraculously, he was very willing to listen and process what we taught him. Although he was still very skeptical and unbelieving at the end of the lesson, he was willing to pray! It was a very interesting prayer indeed, actually quite disrespectful in some sense, however, he was willing to ask through his prayer whether or not what we taught that day was true. Funny note, he ended the prayer by saying " In the name of God's only son...if he even had one, apparently named Jesus Christ, Amen" (Since he didn't believe in Jesus Christ, he tried to "tactfully" dodge accidentally showing that he believes). HILARIOUS! The miracle didn't end there, late Saturday night, he texted and ask, "do I need to dress up for church?" We were overjoyed that he was willing to come to church, and so he did! He even stayed for all three hours! Miracles all around indeed.
Progressing Investigator:
Pan from Thailand is our sweet progressing investigator. We had a tender experience with her this past weekend as we joined together in a fast to pray that she will have the strength to tell her mother about her choice to be baptized. Also in hopes that her family's hearts will be softened when she does tell them. Our prayers were answered as she attended church and listened to a very inspiring lesson from a guest speaker during Relief Society. Sister Ostvig was a convert herself at the age of 20. She received a lot of opposition from her parents and grandmother, but in the end, everything worked out and her family never had a negative comment about her joining the church. Sister Ostvig was a great example to Pan, and we can't wait to see how that nourishment of the good words will blossom within her.
Our final miracle tied the knot for our amazingly blessed and awesome week. We had SEVEN of our investigators show up to CHURCH! Fast and testimony meetings, I personally think, are the best times for investigators to see how Christ's church truly has the fullness compared to other churches. The Spirit was so strong throughout the whole sacrament and so many of the testimonies of the members were so evidently directed at the concerns and needs of our investigators. We were so blessed to have such a divinely inspired meeting.
The Plan of Salvation has been something I have been studying a lot on this week. Read 2 Nephi 2, 9, Alma 12, Alma 34, and 42. The Plan of Salvation truly is remarkable. For those who do not know the purpose of life, and/or are having struggles in life right now, whether it be with making big choices for schooling and work, or with other struggles. Learn of the Plan of Salvation, study it, understand it, and you will see how God will consecrate all thine afflictions for your gain.
Throughout all those chapters, you will see how all the people the prophets were addressing were trying to find solutions to their afflictions. The solution is, know God's plan of Happiness and you will see the bigger perspective of life.
Finally, Happy Belated Halloween to everyone! I dressed up as a Sister Missionary this year. I know really original. However, I did get to be a little bit festive and wear black and orange. We got to celebrate by going to the temple! haha I know weird combo, but at least that was memorable. The St. Paul Temple is apparently the SMALLEST temple in the world...and it really is...and I thought the Taipei temple was small! haha
Finally, to close this up, I just want to tell everyone that...
Minnesota has sooo much good foods! (of course I would talk about food)
Minneapolis is where General Mills' main company is situated! Did you know that? Also, Food science is a huge deal here, and I never even knew how the experiment on food was so widespread here! I love it! It's so refreshening to learn about food science from so many of the ysa members here. Its so cool! One of the members in our ward created Hershey Cookies and Cream cereal! Also! Target's head company is situated here in Minneapolis as well! WHAT! All these big companies here in Minnesota?! How come we never hear much about MN? Weird!
Love you all tons, until next week,
Sister Pao
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| FROSTY. OUR CAR SHARED WITH THE ELDERS. |
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| THE ADORABLE SIS. SMITH. AND PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING! |
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| OUR APARTMENT. A TEENY BIT GHETTO. BUT. OH WELL! |
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| LOVELY ALEX NOTERMAN A RECENT CONVERT OF ABOUT 7 MONTHS. |
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| ME, BEING USEFUL. FIXING LIGHTBULBS! GOOD THING I WAS TALL ENOUGH...i DON'T KNOW WHAT SIS. SMITH AND I WOULD DO IF I WERE SHORT. |
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| DINKYTOWN! CUTE EH? |
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| OUR CUTEST DISTRICT FAMILY EVER! (last district meeting before transfers, boo) |
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| The beautiful apartment building of our favorite member Ali Fyfe. Happy Halloween! |
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| Fun halloween straws credits to Sis. Smith's fam bam. |
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| Ali Fyfe, our lovely sister away from home. She is simply so loving and gives the best hugs! She served in Germany and is now a Pharmacist here in MN! and an awesome cook btw! |
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| Isn't this so mystical. Night view of the city skyline. |
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