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| Kylie caught in constant rain showers in NY lately |
We went to the library to do some Facebook proselyting. Being a good missionary, I approached and talked with a nice 60 year old man looking at some books. He seemed so interested in missionary work and the Church that he took all of our information, a Book of Mormon, a pamphlet and scheduled an appointment for the next day. Okay, so it seemed a little too easy, but I didn't worry about it. He had a slight accent and looked like an old retired professor from India. But, while talking, he didn't understand why we weren't at college and he kept trying to give us advice about future careers and schooling. Oh well. We went back to the library the next day and he had read the whole pamphlet and part of the Book of Mormon. Sadly, he said he didn't believe it, but still read everything because he was curious why we young missionaries were so different. He wanted to know how we came to know the almighty God (not anything else) and didn't want to pray. He wanted to watch us pray.... It just got creepy fast! This retired psychiatric medical man from Iran was interested in the persons delivering the message, not the message itself -- he was lonely, yuck. So, okay I got hit on, but thankfully the Spirit is awesome and I rejected him in the most polite but brutally honest way possible. Two hours later, I was serving in a nursing home transporting a patient to the Activities Room and he also hit on me and wanted to get my phone number. Twice in one Day!! New record for me..... Ha Ha. Ugh, it was so awkward.
I have learned so much about people and their inner struggles here in the mission field. For example, we had a breakthrough with a potential investigator that is now LOVING the Gospel and will probably be baptized in 2 months. Previously, she was at her breaking point of losing all hope for the future. We haven't really been able to meet with her for 6 weeks because she was always either asleep or drunk. She was sleeping constantly because she didn't want to be awake. It felt better to her to feel nothing at all than to feel the despair of her life. God always has a plan. Her new little grandson was born into the world and BAM. She just woke up. We were finally able to meet with her and talk. We discussed prayer, the Church and finally introduced the Book of Mormon to her, even though it has been on her shelf for a year. Her interest got peaked and was so excited to learn, it was awesome. Within 1 week, she went from a crazy dark, depressed house with clothes and dirt everywhere ... to a bright cleaner house (it's not totally clean but with 5 garbage bags, multiple couches and other debris gone, its better!) She finally told us that she prayed and said "Fine God. If this is it, I'll do it. So give me strength." Boom. She kicked out her boyfriend and his friend, she cleaned up the house and she is happy and giggly and carries her Book of Mormon in her back pocket. She wants to meet twice a day and go to Church. She says that she has finally felt happy after 8 years. She felt lighter, like something was lifted. We obviously talked about the Atonement and a few scriptures and it is just awesome. She just needs to maintain this effort and outlook! But in one week, I have seen more change in one person than most people I've taught combined in 6 months. It is AWESOME and it was finally just her time. Yes, it was grueling to be patient and help her find food, clean and try to set things up and testify that this is what she needed, but until she desired it, nothing happened. But, now that she does.. Whoo hoo. The atonement doesn't need to take 2 months or two years to work. I have seen it happen in 4 short days now. It is awesome!
On Wednesday, it was transfers and since we stay in Utica, we got to go and pick up the Temple Square Sisters to work for the day. I got to see my friends, it was legit!! I love actually knowing all the missionaries and walking into a room and having Sisters tackle me and say how much they missed me. :) For the first 3-4 months, you feel left out because you don't know any other missionaries, or the inside jokes, or investigators or areas and it just stinks. So I try to include the younger missionaries now because they need to have that loved feeling too. I saw my trainer and my trainee (I call them my Mom and Daughter).
I realized how much I loved and missed my 1st companion, and Sister Yancey finally gave me a giant hug without saying a sarcastic remark! So, no matter how much she denies it and tries to look cool, she missed me too :) She told me this quote that "Coming out on a mission, I thought I was going to change the world, but then I realized that Heavenly Father just wanted to change me." Amen to that! I thought on a mission I would always be teaching, or baptizing people. HA, yeah no. I know that I had to come to Corning and Utica, New York. Now, if in the future, I have to be a Young Woman's or Relief Society President, I know what I gotta do, and pattern it off some of the things I have learned. I have learned that I really can't live life in a bubble anymore. Being in Utica, I have learned a lot about "The One". Most Days, Heavenly Father puts us somewhere for just one person, and sometimes that person is me. I have seen so many awesome and great people here. I have had to learn how to balance nourishing "The 99" while still finding and loving "The One". Ahh, so much to write, but just know that just look for THE ONE every day. One person, one day at a time and the world would be a heck of a better place.
We have had some really neat experiences finding people and giving them opportunities to learn more. I have met a native american wood carver and gave him a "book about the native american's." Cough, Cough.. :) I mean the Book of Mormon. He is actually super prepared for the gospel and has been to the Hill Cumorah Pageant and even said, "So Joe Smith, he sounds a lot like Moses." I can't wait to talk to him more.
We have also been helping Megan continue to have spiritual experiences and to progress. Unfortunately she has been sick a lot and she got a job at a call center after being out of work for 9 months. So that was nice!. She has been teaching her kids and the kids on the block the gospel after we leave. We watched The Testaments last night and I realized how old it is, but they got really into it. She also needs to continue to apply the atonement in her life to overcome some Plan of Salvation obstacles that are keeping her from progressing.
I meet a lot of people and everyone's "A bit of a a fixer upper... but that is a minor thing... they don't have any peculiar reindeer though. But, show a little love their way, and you will bring out their best." (Frozen anyone??)
This week is looking to be great. Love you all!
Sister Kylie Williams
