Hey there y'all!
As always, I hope this letter finds each of you well! This past week has been a very long one, but it's also been very good to my companion, elder Clayton, and I. Transfer calls were made Saturday night and we found out that both of us are staying here in McKinney. We are, however losing one of our wards. Where we were covering the McKinney 1st, 4th, and 5th wards, elder Clayton and I will now only be covering the 4th and 5th. Another set of missionaries is being brought in to take over 1st ward by itself. The news was a little disappointing because with the split we go from 4 progressing investigators and about 16 potential investigators to 0 progressing and 8 potentials. We definitely have our work cut out for us but we are excited for the change because we have been spread pretty thin over the 3 wards. It has been somewhat difficult to focus our efforts with any one ward for too much time at all. We look forward to finding and teaching some brand new investigators! As predicted, our car is being given to the new missionaries in the 1st ward, so we will be a bike area as of tuesday. The weather has started to cool down pretty rapidly so biking should be very pleasant for a few weeks here.
We found 2 new families and a few individuals last week (which we get to keep in the transfer) and are very excited to start teaching them. We are also very pleased that Margaret (the "other sheep I have..." contact) is also still within our area. We haven't had any more opportunities to meet with her in person because of her hectic schedule, but we are hopeful that we will get in to teach her this week. We are keeping close contact with her via phone for the time being. She has tons of questions and is almost finished with the Book of Mormon. She wants to start reading the D&C and Pearl of Great Price as soon as she can get her hands on them. We are afraid she may be exposed to some anti literature but she has continually expressed interest in learning more. We are praying very hard for her and have high hopes.
I was reflecting through our meetings yesterday on the opposition we face at times in our work, and the effect it really has. I find it interesting that even though it seems I come across more and more individuals every week who are hostile toward the Church, my testimony is only strengthened by each encounter. When we make a real effort to remain Christlike in these situations I can feel the Spirit present as we do our best to share truth with these people. Not always, but sometimes I am left with the impression that our conversation has allowed the person to b touched by the Spirit and that we have done some good for them. Perhaps that person will be more receptive to the next member or missionary they meet, perhaps not; but with every experience, my testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is strengthened and set more firmly in my heart and mind. I've come across some very intelligent individuals who have had seemingly good arguments for us, but each and every time, the simple testimony of one of us 20 year old elders has served to counfound them. I know that our message is true. I have had too strong a witness in the very short time I've been a missionary to deny it.
I'm happy to hear reports that Grandpa's funeral went well. Although itpart of me wished I could have been there, I know that he is proud of the work I'm engaged in and wouldn't have me be anywhere buthere in the mission field at this moment. I'm so thankful for the blessing my grandparents have been in my life and for the wonderful legacy of righteousness they have left. They raised great families and I now have the privelage of having my amazing parents because of them.
I love each of you and I pray for your continued safety and success in all of your righteous endeavors. Thank you so much for your continued support in your various ways. I greatly appreciate all of your letters and words of support, and I look forward to hearing more from each of you. Until next time; be good, stay safe, and keep the faith!
Love,
Elder Michael P. Lyman
No comments:
Post a Comment