Service in Seattle: Week 23

Wow how is it already December?! Time seriously flies as a missionary! I love this time of the year because it brings out the best in everyone. We've been busy serving our community and "lighting the world" this week and it's been incredible. There's no joy quite like the joy that Christmas brings!

We had a lesson with Brad on Wednesday and our goal was to see what his needs were. He has a copy of the Book of Mormon from the church tour but he wasn't reading it. We asked him some questions and he opened up about reading being a struggle for him. We shared stories of our own personal weaknesses and how the Book of Mormon has given us strength to overcome them. We offered to read with him and then asked if he would be willing to read some small passages on his own. He said he felt like he could do that so now Brad is finally reading the Book of Mormon! I have a firm testimony in the power of listening. It can be so easy to always be thinking of what you want to say next. In past lessons with Brad, we felt we weren't getting anywhere because we weren't truly teaching to his needs. By asking him how he felt about the Book of Mormon and what he wanted to learn, we could adjust our teaching to better help him. This world needs more listeners. Not just people who will hear with their ears. We need people to listen with their hearts and also listen to the Spirit. When we listen to the Spirit, we offer ourselves as an instrument in the Lord's hands to help bring about His work. Listening will take one further in life than just hearing. It definitely helped us with Brad.

Thursday we had a few miracles! There's this man named Gary who we have stopped by in the past. We tried to get him to read the Book of Mormon, but he didn't really seem interested. His neighbors are some of the most amazing members of our ward and they would always update us on him. Usually, it was nothing new: Gary didn't have a desire to read the Book of Mormon. Still, Sister Deruvo and I never felt like we should give up on Him. We went by and his sweet wife happened to be there. She welcomed us inside and we had a nice chat. I asked Gary if he had read yet. I was expecting him to just say no and leave it at that. Instead he said "No, I haven't read yet, but show me a good place to start." We were all so surprised as Gary grabbed his Book of Mormon and highlighter. He gave it to me and I highlighted the introduction and the Testimony of Joseph Smith. He said he would read it by next week and his wife said she would read it with him! It was such a miracle!

We also ran into Eric (a friend we had previously taught months ago). He let us in and we had a good discussion about the Book of Mormon. He said he would be willing to read it again and let us come by again in the next week! On the way out, we got talking about hunting and he disappears for a second. He comes out with a bag of frozen deer meat and says "some deer meat for a scripture assignment." So yeah, now we have a huge bag of frozen deer sitting in our freezer. People are the greatest :)

Friday we had to take our car in to get the battery replaced (it was needing to be jumped literally every other day). We were basically there all day, so nothing much happened. We did get to go with Brad and some members to the big nativity event they do every year at the church in Maple Valley. People offer their nativities to be put on display (many of them from different parts of the world) and everyone just walks around to look at them. They also had live musical performances and a photo booth. We got Brad to dress up as a shepherd and take a picture with us. He wasn't super excited about it haha.

Saturday was incredible! We spent all morning bringing little Christmas treats with scriptures attached to our friends and members for our Day of Service activity. Then we had to drive to Bellevue to hear Elder Gong of the Quorum of the 12 apostles speak to our whole mission. It was AMAZING! There's nothing quite like being in the presence of an apostle. Some members of the seventy came as well and spoke to us. My hand cramped up so many times from trying to write everything down! They are truly inspired men of God. Elder Gong talked about how we as missionaries/members need to "lay everything on the alter" for the Lord so we can become better instruments. When we fully submit ourselves to our Heavenly Father, we have nothing to hide and everything to give. We can go to Him in full confidence, knowing that we have done everything we possibly could. This was definitely something I needed to hear!

I'm so beyond thankful for this wonderful time of the year and I know we are going to see more miracles along the way. I hope you all take the challenge to "Light the World" this holiday season and reach out to those who need some love! Have a great week!

love,

sister smith