We had a really great week, with lots of miracles. We went back to see our friends at Best Gyro's, and met another worker there--so great. We also had dinner with the Winders, and they are amazing. They are SO excited about missionary work, and such great examples. Sister Winder came teaching with us after dinner, and a miracle happened. We went to stop by a man named Michael that we had met the day before...and he wasn't home, but his daughter was, and she let us come in and teach her about the Book of Mormon!! She is a cute, sweet girl with an adorable baby. She connected instantly with Sister Winder, who has a little girl and is about to have another baby. Perfect! And then when we went back to see xxx yesterday, we met her cousin and her mom, who said we could come back on Thursday to teach their whole family. We found a family!!!! Yay!!!
After that, we stopped by her neighbor--a less active member we've been working with. There, we met and started teaching her niece!! She is almost 17 and is SO cool. I love her. :) I'm so grateful for so many miracles that night!
I went on exchanges with Sister Spong on Friday, and it was awesome. We had a great lesson with Sister Frazier--she might come to church with us sometime!! I really, really hope she will come. I know that it would help her so much!!
Sister Spong and I also found a retirement home called Shaker Gardens that we might start doing volunteer work at--awesome! We also had dinner with the Bangs, an amazing family from the ward. They are one of the many, many families in the ward that are role models for me--they are so faithful and happy and strong in the gospel. I want to be just like them when I grow up. :)
Sister Spong and I also had a GREAT lesson with Jason. We talked about faith in Alma 32, and the seed experiment, then taught the Word of Wisdom and invited him to experiment on it as a way to strengthen his faith--and he was all for it! He liked that it was something real that he can do. We're going to have a lesson with him this week at the Price's home--I'm so excited for him to come to a member's home and feel the Spirit there!! :)
We had a great last day at the Nativity Exhibit on Saturday--lots of people came, and I got one last day with all the gorgeous nativities. Sister Spong and I also got to play our flutes! With Sister Cameron from the Kirtland Ward, who also plays the flute. We played some trio and duet music as background music for a meeting held at the visitor's center with all the bishops from the Kirtland Stake. The Stake President was there, along with the new temple president and matron of the Columbus temple! They talked about what we can all do to hasten the work of salvation here in Kirtland and qualify for a TEMPLE in this area. That is one of the greatest wishes of my heart!! I love these people, and this area--I would LOVE for there to be a temple here! And I'm so grateful that I got to share my love for music and be there. I am a lucky bug. :)
Yesterday we saw even more miracles. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to fast--I saw each of the things I fasted for answered yesterday!! Bob, who has been sick with a pinched nerve, was able to come to church--and we were able to set up for him to have a priesthood blessing AND schedule the church building for his baptism. It's officially January 25th at 7 pm. SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! He is the most prepared person I've ever met, and I am so honored to be able to teach him and help him prepare for baptism. Everyone says he is already like a member, and the whole ward loves him. Please continue to pray that he will regain full health, and make his baptism date--we don't want Satan to get in the way!!!
I'm also grateful for the continued opportunity to stretch and grow and push through hard things. I think the winter blues have settled on Kirtland--everyone is having a hard time with discouragement in one way or another. Even me sometimes. I was grateful to realize that I wasn't the only one having a hard time finding joy in the journey--but I really want to help all of us shake off the gloom. :) What helps you to find joy in the journey? What has helped me the most this week was turning to the Lord in prayer. Fervent, pleading prayer. Admittedly, at times I've felt such pressure that I've felt about to sink--but He always comes to the rescue. Yesterday, I felt like Lazarus at the tomb--trying to heed the call to "come forth", but unable to move the stone that was blocking my way. I knew that it wasn't something I could move on my own, and many of my prayers throughout the day were for the Savior to either strengthen my back or ease the burden or move the stone in some way. A quote from I Am Jane came to mind: "I am pounding on the walls of Jericho, and they are still standing!" That's how it felt. Lots of things were adding up and threatening to overwhelm me, and they didn't seem to be letting up. But fasting helped, and taking the sacrament helped immensely--I haven't been that grateful for or desperately needed the sacrament for a long time. I'm so grateful for it!!!!! Each day I pray for the Lord to grant me daily bread of energy and strength for the day, and yesterday He granted me a bountiful supply. By the end of the day, I felt relieved and calmer, and I'm so grateful for His help in easing the burdens on my heart and mind. It's true--missionary work is hard. But so, so worth it. Alma 29:9--I glory in the opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to bring others to Christ. :)
I love you all so much--thank you for your prayers and love and support!!!! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission, and to serve my Savior. I love Him, and I love doing His work. :) Always remember to smile, and keep growing spiritual roots so that Satan doesn't uproot you. Helaman 5:12 vs. Alma 32:38. :) Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Sister Wygant
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