So, not a lot happened this week... I really don't know what to write! We did a lot of finding. . . we had a few lessons. . . people were too busy to see us this week. . .
Fred is doing well, he's starting to really progress (even though he didn't show up for church :P) but his biggest challenge is smoking--its really hard, because he doesn't work and he smokes when he's bored. I guess we'll see if he can give it up!
George is someone we started teaching recently, but he talks A LOT so teaching is a challenge. His biggest challenge is listening.
We had dinner and a lesson with Tracy, and the Spirit was there, she feels it, but its like the adage from modern-day prophets "If you're literally too busy to read the scriptures each day then you are busier than God ever intended you to be!" She hasn't been taking the time to read and pray about what we teach, so we talked about "Where is the Pavilion?" by Pres. Eyring in the hopes that she understands that answers only come when we humble ourselves and listen to Him.
Oh, a drunk Slovakian stopped us... and then started speaking in his native language and wouldn't let us leave until I was seriously like, "WE HAVE TO GO NOW." oh dear. drunk people. they're all over the place.
Oh, and a less-active tried to convince us that it wasn't worth it to get married. Pretty sure that's essential in the Plan of Salvation.
We had a fun Zone Development on Monday, played lots of sports. I think my body is starting to break down though... Pretty much everything is ache-y and disagreeable. I think my dentist is going to have a major overhaul for me when I get home!
We're currently studying about listening (because, you know, Elder Christensen is trying to be a good leader and delegate training in district meeting again) and I was pondering this morning how listening is an expression of love, and how important it is to develop a relationship of love and trust with those we teach, and how listening is more than just hearing--its listening for the Spirit to give us what to say, and to understand what they're trying to express. So many people are trying to express what they're experiencing for the first time, and its not usually something they understand. Trying to explain the Spirit is like trying to describe salt to someone who has never tasted it, and many investigators don't know what they're feeling when they're feeling the Spirit. They are trying to express their joy, their concerns, their experiences, but only Jesus Christ truly understands what they're going through. So when we're listening to other people, we need to be listening to the Spirit simultaneously, because through the Spirit, He'll help us understand them and know what to say. Because like it says in the hymn, "Jesus listening can hear the song I cannot sing."
I love you all! Take care of yourselves and keep the faith! xx
Love always,
Sister Mary Ann Kirkpatrick
