The Holy Ghost Works, Y'all

September 9, 2019

How's it going everybody! It's your favorite missionary in Wisconsin (right?).

By the way, the answer to last week’s riddle is Tired. Why did the Bike fall down? Because it was Tired hahahaha! 

TEACHING NONMEMBERS 

Unfortunately we had to drop some people and move on because they were never actually interested, they just didn't know how to reject us without the fear of "disrespecting us." Haha! People here are so kind! But we did start to teach Clayton! We found him through tracting 2 weeks ago and had an official lesson with him earlier this week. We feel like he has some potential, but it's weird because he says he doesn't want to be converted to another church (the one he went to, which I believe is Lutheran, didn't work out for him). But he wants us to keep coming over to him and his wife to keep teaching them the lessons because they're enlightening (his words). The Holy Ghost truly works, y'all. I have hope for Clayton. We also started to teach Austin! Our first impression with him at his doorstep was that he believes in science facts and not living by faith. Believe it or not he actually tried to turn us away when he found out we were preachers. The Holy Ghost prompted me NOT to say "have a good day!" and leave. Out of the blue my companion launches into a monologue/testimony about what our church believes and he was so intrigued! It caught me off guard. As soon as I knew it, we were discussing the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and some of the commandments for 50 minutes on his porch! He was engaged and asking all kinds of questions during this time. He had been looking for a faith in God but hasn't known how to look or where to look (kind of sounds familiar). At one point his facial expression changed. We could tell he was feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost. We plan on meeting with him again this week. We're praying so hard for him. We are also teaching a daughter of a recent convert. The mother has been a member for 10 months and attends the temple every Friday (that's a 3-hour drive, by the way). Her family has been through a lot and she is really strong in her faith in God. We taught her nonmember daughter the plan of Salvation and who Heavenly Father really is and how He doesn't only want us to return to Him he wants us to WANT to return to Him. I think she'll deliver on our invitation to pray by herself. 

We've actually been teaching lots of nonactive/active members (as instructed by bishop). I've realized that as we were teaching and participated in lessons (Family Home Evening, Stake Conference etc.) Heavenly Father’s love and desire for us has been a reoccurring theme this week. When I think about how God is spending His time, and how He's trying to show His love to His children, it increases my love towards Him when I know that he is spending ALL of His time in heaven focusing on us (his children) so that He can have a personal relationship with each one of His trillion children on earth and other worlds. I’ve never felt like a burden or that God is "too busy" or "doesn’t care" and I've certainly NEVER felt like He's "punishing me." The truth is He's never punishing us, He only UPLIFTS us when we try to change. I think that's been a VERY common misconception about God. Many of these people are afraid that they can't be received by God because of how long it has been since they've tried to have a relationship with Him. Oh, I'm grateful He's a loving father and not some mighty being who instills fear in people. I LOVE God. He's so comforting and He is so real. 

FINDING

As far as finding, we actually found quite a few new people who were interested. Two of which were at a funeral for a former member of the church, Brandon and Bob. Sister Kohler and I had the opportunity to sing at that funeral and they met us afterwards. We told them who we were and what we believe. They have a great respect towards us. We meet with them this week. Tomorrow we also meet with Taylor, a girl my Sister Training Leader and I found (we were on exchanges. It was good fun). She seems like she has so much potential. We also met Marylin, Tim, Minnie and Maeng who seemed interested in our message! So exciting! 

FUN STUFF

I've said it 2 or 3 times, and I'll say it again: the ward members are incredible and incredibly generous. Last P-day after emailing and laundry we went bowling with a member family and some AMAZING young single adults. I'm so proud to say I did NOT come in last, but I in fact came in second to last! Haha! Yeah… I've never been one to bowl but that's a new record for Sister Henderson! We got Ice Cream afterwards and walked down the cute little downtown area of  Eau Claire. 

All of Wednesday was New Missionary Training in Minneapolis, Minnesota! It was so good to catch up with everyone I traveled with from the MTC and to catch up with the Mission President and his wife. After training I also got to meet some Elders in our district in person (we Facetime when we have district council). All of this meant driving for 40 minutes that trip because our area is HUGE, and 4 hours-worth of driving to Minneapolis and back. That only meant Sister Kohler and I could jam out to some Latter-day Saint Youth music, haha!!

The members’ homes have been good fun. It's fun to mingle with the families. Some of them seriously spoil us. One of the families gave us a bonfire to cook our own hot dogs and hammocks to lay in. In another family a returned missionary named Analey LOVES to bake for us (below is a picture of her masterpiece, the chocolate raspberry cake we had two nights ago). Last night she made us brownies, they are the BEST I've ever had in my life! 

Sister Kohler finally got the chance to get her bike. So we biked to Stake Conference yesterday. The only problem was we got lost! It was beautiful nonetheless. I felt like a true missionary on a bike! 

FINAL THOUGHTS

I'm doing great! In case you're wondering. I'm learning to have a deeper love for serving others. There is so much real joy in spreading the gospel and focusing on other peoples’ needs. I deeply appreciate your emails! I love them! And I hope you are all enjoying my dad jokes. We will see how long I'm able to keep these up. 

DAD JOKE 

What is the difference between a NOT so well-dressed missionary on a tricycle and a well-dressed missionary on a bicycle? Attire! 

There's another tire joke for you all. 

Much love, 

Sister Henderson