Hello!Today's the first sunny day I've seen here - but there's wind. I can't really win with the weather right now. I thought I'd love the weather, but I really can't decide. We do outside tours at night because there are so many Christmas concerts and other events happening on Temple Hill, and it is absolutely FREEZING because we literally are at the top of a hill. I love this temple so much because it can be seen all around - people see it just from driving down the freeway, so they pull off and come check it out. There was a couple that came with their little boy Saturday night - they were just walking around outside because their little boy has always wanted to come see it. He was only 2, maybe 3, but he recognized the temple as something more. They came to the Visitor's Center and agreed to meet with missionaries! It's just amazing how this area just draws people in.
And there are TONS of people here every night! Even when people don't know about all the events being hosted here, they're drawn in by the lights. And then they see the Christus in the Visitor's Center through a huge window and everyone comes to see it: members, tourists, investigators, random people who know nothing about our church - EVERYONE. It's actually been really crazy - we're here at the VC all the time; this week we were here Friday 1-9:30pm, Saturday from 9am-1pm and then from 5-9pm, and Sunday from 2:30-9pm. It really does get insane - on those weekend nights, over a thousand people come through. It's hard to engage and really talk to people when there are so many around, but I've had a couple of cool experiences at the VC this week. On Thursday, a couple from Fiji came to the temple with their little girl - they tried to go in and asked for the priest. One of the temple workers directed them over to the VC, and there were a couple of elders at the VC. They were looking for a blessing for their daughter, who is bow-legged. The elders got the oil and gave this little girl a blessing. Afterwards, we took them through the God's Plan for the Family presentation. They said they were going around to a lot of different churches, asking for blessings. We tried teaching about the priesthood - we're not sure if they understood completely, but they gave us permission to send missionaries to their home.
My favorite part is doing outside tours during the holiday season. There are so many people just outside taking pictures and looking around, and it's so easy to go up to them and talking to them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I met a man from Jordan on Friday night - he looked Latino initially so we started speaking to him in Spanish. He tried speaking back in Spanish, but then we all reverted to English when we realized that he was not Hispanic. He said he didn't want to talk about religion, but feels a special peace when he comes to the temple, so I gave him a referral card anyways - in case he ever does want to talk about religion.
But just last night, I had an experience where I recognized that God really is preparing people to hear the gospel. We were walking around outside and we started talking to these two women, probably my same age. One of them has a sister who is Mormon and living in Provo, and the other didn't know much about our church. We basically taught her the restoration right there on the spot, and told her a little bit more about temples. In the middle of our conversation, we asked if she knew about the Book of Mormon, and she said she was planning on buying one for herself as a personal Christmas present! It is amazing how prepared she is to receive the gospel! She asked a lot of questions and was satisfied with all the answers I tried to give, and accepted the invitation to have missionaries come to her home and bring a Book of Mormon! She had never been inside the VC, but she has recognized the peace of the temple just from being outside. It really is such a special place, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to witness all of these prepared people. And who knows - maybe she never would have gone into the VC if my companion and I hadn't gone to talk to her outside. You never know who is ready to receive the gospel.
The hardest part of missionary work is recognizing the people who are not prepared. There are a few people that we are teaching who have heard all the lessons multiple times at this point, but they're not doing anything about it. We teach them that prayer, scripture study and church attendance will help them increase in their faith and know that these things are true, but then they don't do it. The most important thing is to desire to know the truth - without that desire, there's nothing we can do as missionaries. They have to want it. My mission president said something really interesting in a training that we had this week - Elder Holland always says that "we have what [people] need" but President Meredith said that "we also have what they want." When we are obedient and desire to strengthen our faith, our happiness will increase; no matter what our situation is, the gospel of Jesus Christ - faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end - brings us closer to Jesus Christ, which always leads to more peace, joy and happiness in our lives. That's all we have to do.
We do have on investigator named Leo who is still stuck on the question of faith. He does not have any religious background, and he's this whip-smart 13-year-old boy. Everything has to have proof in his mind - but we know his faith is increasing because he WANTS to know that God is there. His answer may come a piece at a time, but that desire is the most important thing. We're also teaching Craig - his baptism date is the 29th of this month. He's been sober for over 20 years, and quit smoking 8 years ago as well - and now, he's following every aspect of the Word of Wisdom by trading in his coffee for herbal tea. Our actions truly demonstrate our love for the Lord and our faith in His plan for us.
The Lord is preparing people to find the truth, and all I can do is invite them to it. I'm still nervous and a little afraid to talk to people, but it's easier to do when I remember the "good news" of the gospel. I've been turned down, hung up on, and stood up for lessons already. But you never know who will have a change of heart - everyone needs the gospel, everyone wants the gospel even if they don't know it, and it's my job to make sure they can learn more if they choose. It's hard when they choose not to, but only because I know it's true. I know that this gospel can bless everyone's lives if they let it - if they truly let the teachings of Jesus Christ become a part of who they are.
So that's what's going on here. I'm going to my first Zone Conference tomorrow, and then Wednesday is our P-day this week. And I'm going SHOPPING with my companion and the other two sisters in our district, Sister Garcia and Sister Mitchell. I can't remember the last time I went shopping. Don't worry Mom and Dad, I'll be frugal - just need a little something to rejuvenate the closet.
I love you all!
