Monday, July 8, 2013

The End and New Beginnings

Well, this is it. The last post I'll ever send out to you all from my missino field. One more week ahead for me and I'll be home. It is going to be an amazing week. Up to Thursday I'll still be in Cyprus Larnaca and I'll have to avoid death by overeating. We've been invited at numerous homes. So, we'll be busy... Then I've got my interview with Presidend Freestone on Friday, shopping on Saturday and too much church on Sunday before flying out Monday morning. It'll be great and quick!

This past week wasn't the best for numbers, many of our investigators lost their enthusiasm and they didn't really find time to meet with us. Nonetheless it was a great week, punctuated by some great miracles.

On Wednesday at institute sister Lucy impressed us once more by coming up to us and saying there was a man named Denny that wanted to come to the church now. He was already at the bus stop. So we went there to pick him up and we showed him around the church. He liked it a lot and this Sunday he come to church right after work (he's a baker) and stayed for the classes. We then had a lesson with him later in the afternoon where he shared some of his concerns regarding religion in our day and the confusion the different sects create. It was really cool. He also brought his friend along who liked the services and the lesson too. That was a wonderful miracle.
Josie, me, Maria. Some great members.

Elder Watts, Lynne, me, Amanda, Sister Hansen, Teresa, and Mo xD

Elder Watts, Leah, me

Elder Watts, Eliel (one of our investigating friends), me

We had another miracle showing the hand of the Lord in our lives. We went in the evening to see an investigator from Africa at his house. He'd told us that we could pass by around 8 o'clock on Sunday. When we rang his bell, he didn't answer and no one else was in the flat either. We were about to leave again when we heard some music and talking in the neighboring flat and we felt like we should knock on the door. So we rang the bell and almost immediatly it opened and a nice young African asked us to come in before we could say anything. We did. We introduced ourselves and got talking with him and his friend that lives there too. They both seemed interested in our message. We shared some of our spiritual experiences we had and they had and we were able to give them a book of mormon and they also promised to come to church on Wednesday for Institute. It was amazing. It was like they were waiting for us to knock on their door. Both had difficult past experiences that redirected their lives back to God.

I'm glad for the examples of these and all the other people I've had in my mission. It has been more for me than anyone I've served in these two years. I've learned and grown so much. I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity that was afforded me to serve. I've come to know my Savior more than I thought possible. I learned that there is more to this world than sheltered Switzerland and happy valley in Utah. I know how great my life really is. I've learned to appreciate life much more. i'm glad to have served here and i wouldn't trade this experience for nothing in the world.

I wish you all a wonderful life and a great week! I'll see most of you some time sooner or later and I hope I was able to touch at least one of you by sharing the things that touched my life. 

Monday, July 1, 2013

Breezes and Baptismal Dates

I know I keep repeating myself but this week went by quickly. I think this is to me a sign of the hand of the Lord in my life. He's making time go by quickly so I don't have time to worry about going home. I can only just do so much to stay on top of the activities of the day. I'm very glad that the Lord is influencing my perception of time in this fashion.

Last night the Lord had mercy upon me and he let there be a wind that cooled me off at night. It was great! It has been steadily getting hotter so that breeze was a life saver.

Last Saturday we had a lesson with Gerald and we taught him about the authority, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As we discussed these things we had a great feeling of the Spirit with us. It was amazing how we were guided to the right scriptures at the right time. It wasn't at all how we'd planned it but it was exactly as it was meant to be. Then we asked him if he would be baptized and he said "sure". He then shared with us that he'd spoken with his friend about it that very morning. His friend had told him that he needed to be baptized. They'd discussed it that very morning and we then came and asked him to commit to a baptismal date. It was quite amazing. On Sunday both Gerald and his friend Kamara came to church (arriving 5 min early xD). It was really nice! That was surely the hand of the Lord in my life.

This morning we went bowling and it was great! I was horrible at it though. I only had one strike in two games. xD Never mind, I'll practice and one day I'll break the 100 mark.xD Amazing really, how bad I played. xD It was a great pastime and we were invited for lunch by the Hansens after that. Score!

Some great pix from this Sunday and last Monday:
This magnificent specimen did a beautiful belly-flop only  moments after this shot was taken.

We went doorknock in village outside of Larnaca. You should have seen our tan line afterwards.

Sister Lynne and me looking awesome in church.

Me, Despina, Amanda (her mom), Elder Watts