Opposition In All Things

Typical slice of pizza in Utica, NY

When reading 2 Nephi Chapter 2, we learn a lot about the Plan of Salvation and the roles of agency and opposition in our lives.  Ha ha ha ha.  Oh boy, I have learned so much this week about both of those roles. I also learned how to grit my teeth and bare through some difficult times too.

My week started off great and we had a baptism to prepare for.  We also had a bunch of new investigators to teach and everyone was progressing so well.  Last Sunday, we even met together as all of the missionaries in Utica to make cookies and deliver them to the families in the Ward and to our investigators.  We made 14 dozen cookies.. and I ate a ton of dough!  :)

All of the Utica, NY Missionaries - Baking!

 On Monday, things started to get a little tricky.  One of our recent converts kinda had a break down and ran away.  She is dealing with the effects of living for many years in a bad environment and all kinds of abuse.  So, school and life in general isn't going so well for her.  The only problem is, there isn't a good way to get a hold of her besides running into her at her house or on Facebook.  Thankfully, the Young Women's President is the best person in the world.  She stayed up till midnight trying to find her and then took her in for a few days to try and have an intervention.  Thankfully, she is doing better, but it is still a very fragile situation.

CJ got baptized this week.  HECK YES!!  Sadly, he got anti-mormon literature & lectures every day until the baptism.  Talk about opposition!!!  Every day was a new challenge.  We had some crazy born again Christian pop out from no-where during our meeting with him in the Library and made fun of him for thinking of converting.  I realized how feisty and protective I am this week.  I hope no one ever bullies my future children haha.. nobody messes with my babies!!

CJ's Baptism :)

Fortunately, I remained calm, but in the middle of all that, I practically pushed him out of the library saying, "Run, Run!!"  To make matters worse, his step parents, who are against him joining, forced him to meet with the old Catholic Father.  CJ passed that meeting/trial with flying colors.   His parents wouldn't give up and had him read a bunch of anti-mormon literature.  :(  Afterwards, he asked us questions and we cleared up all of the misconceptions quite nicely actually.  :)  We then contacted the Mom and Step-Mom and requested a meeting to address their concerns.  For an entire hour we stood up to the Step Mom and answered the Mom's concerns while at Dunkin Donuts.  The Spirit is amazing!  We answered every one of their questions and accusations.  The Step Mom literally looked us in the eyes and said, "I wanted to hate the two of you... but you have been so nice, I can't."   Ha Ha!!  The Lord's work will progress!

One thing I learned, is that sometimes the best defense is to have a 'proactive offense'.  If we had not set up the meeting and reached out to the two Mom's, Saturday's baptism would not have happened.  CJ was all grins and smiles on Saturday and his family all looked like they were passing kidney stones.   :)  We showed the Restoration film and gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost and all we could do was smile and say, "I know this is true! :)"

So, my blood pressure has gone up and down the last few days.  Thankfully, it is all back to normal now.

Megan has given up smoking and drinking.   Now to just stop the coffee.  But, she read half of the Book of Mormon in a WEEK!  Woop Woop!  She is going strong and wants to be baptized in June. :)  Satan is trying to distract her with some neighbors who are a bad influence, so we are going to try to get her baptized as soon as possible.  She knows the Church is true and is living it, she just needs to make a few major life changes in the next few months.

We had a few people drop us and others had family illnesses etc so we didn't get to follow up with them this week either.   It is amazing to see how people either accept and change  or make excuse after excuse and not do something that can totally change and improve their lives.   But, Tony one of our investigators, came to church and he is truly repenting of everything.  He refuses to commit to baptism until he repents of everything he has ever done wrong.  He is even calling family and old acquaintances and apologizing for things he did years ago.  It is awesome to see some of the Lord's elect change their lives for the better.  It is the best feeling.

Personal Motto while in Utica ""Grow"
It hangs up on our bedroom wall 

Yesterday, I had the feeling to go through our old untouched area book.  We found 2 women who are looking for a Church to attend.  They have some interesting views on some topics, but we can work with it and it is awesome to see the Spirit guide their hearts and desires.  Our relationships with the members are improving and we survived this week with ice cream and green smoothies.  Which are the best things ever!

The Church is true!!  I love it!!  We can survive the hard times and when the good times come, we can enjoy them even more!

Love Sister Kylie W.