Hey Everyone!
Well this has been quite the week! It has been a little slow because
of Christmas and I don't think anyone stays in Swainsboro at Christmas time.
Monday evening we went over to Dana's and her family and did the Nativity with
them. It went really well and her husband also participated! He was really glad
that we did the Christmas story and he opened up a lot which was really good!
Dana is doing awesome. She started the stop smoking program on Saturday and so
far is doing well! Although Satan is trying to get her by stressing her out and
making all of her kids sick! She made it to church yesterday though. Her eight
year old loves church! It's really good though because one of the semi-active
families we have been working with want their 8 year old girl to be baptized but
they haven't been staying past sacrament because she didn't have anyone her age
to go to primary with. Now they are really good buddies and love staying the
whole time! Christmas was good, we went over to a lady's house named Betty. I
guess she picked up Sister Woodard and Sister Winward one time while they were
walking and gave them a ride. She loves us but we have to kind of sneaky teach
her because she also loves her church! We ate there and that was really good. I
actually had good dressing! I ate way too much though. Then we went and visited
less actives and gave them treats that the Ference's helped us make. Then that
evening I got to skype! It was awesome! Now though it kind of feels like it
didn't even happen. I was really worried it would make me really trunky and not
be able to focus but I have been good! The only downside is that I got a cold so
I have been really stuffy for the past few days and kind of feel like my head is
in a cloud, it could also be some allergies because we are super in the woods
and with the rain and warmth and humidity it really increases the mold count!!
Sunday was cool though because one of the guys who spoke got up and started
talking about all of the things that kind of hindered him from becoming a member
before he joined and it's all of the things Dana's husband is struggling with so
we found an awesome fellowshipper for her husband! Other than that this week has
been kind of slow with the holiday and everyone being out of town. The branch is
very interesting, they are kind of really stuck in their ways and kind of 20
years behind the rest of the world. They aren't huge fans of the new turns
missionary work is taking but we are working on it! I just have to pray a lot
for charity and patience and to be able to say the right thing. The branch
president is a little bit my way or the highway so it will be fun figuring out
how to make our ideas "his ideas" as we work with him. I am getting aquainted
with the branch more and more, it has its struggles, in the past 5 years
converts have either had their names removed from the records or have been
ex-communicated. I know that it has to do with why this whole mission was
closed about 6 or 7 years ago due to improper missionary work and members
themselves. We are working hard on rebuilding a good foundation for the gospel
to flourish again and making sure those that we are teaching are understanding
gospel principles. It makes the work slow, but I am more concerned about them
having knowledge and a sure foundation than "Numbers", Therefore my scripture
that I love about "Build the foundation on a rock and it will not fall" That
rock is our Saviour Jesus Christ and if we build upon him we cannot fall unless
we choose to. President Cottle shared a scripture with me that helps in our
endeavor to work and strengthen this branch 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man
despise thy YOUTH;but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity". Sister Woodard
says that this Branch President made her and Sister Winward cry a lot but I
don't get intimidated, I have learned to follow promptings and there may come a
moment, I hope not, but if the spirit prompts me that I have to be "Bold of
Speech" I have learned to pray that when I speak the Lord will give my mouth
words, when this has happened to me I usually have no memory of what I have said
immediately afterwards, until my companions tell me. I may be quiet and
unassuming most of the time but I can get a bit "Fiery" at times. I just pray
constantly that the Lord will bless this area and that I will be spared this
type of conversation. I really don't like to have confrontation and the last
thing I want to be is contentious, I just want to be a good missionary and do
the best that I know how! I have felt an immediate love for this area of
Swainsboro and the surrounding little towns, they are good people and very open
and friendly. I know you don't want to hear this Mom but I feel like the 3
months I have left is not enough time to do all that I would like to do, I feel
so responsible to do all that is needed to build up this little branch and it
will be hard to leave them, I hope and pray that future missionaries will take
care of them! I will just have to take the scripture from Timothy to heart as
it has helped me have more confidence in the things I am doing! I hope everyone
had a great Christmas! I love you all tons! Thanks for everyone who sent me a
card/package! I loved all of it and hearing from all of you! I am glad that
Caleb is doing so well and loving his mission- He is making good memories and it
is through obedience that we as missionaries are blest!! Love you all
Love,
Sister Price
No comments:
Post a Comment