T'was a long week, not too terribly eventful.
We
attended a funeral for the father of one of our recent converts. The
recent convert is only a 10-year-old little girl and her father was
pretty young, too. It was a sudden and unexpected death, and the
funeral was rather sad, as many of the family and friends that attended
were not members of the church, and so the grief was so strong it could
almost be felt. But the Bishop then shared some very uplifting words
about the Savior and the Plan of Salvation, and he invited the audience
to turn to the Savior in these times. I really hope that they were able
to take something away from that.
We met a
man this week that, when we first got out of the car, began to scold us
for trespassing. Apparently we passed two "no trespassing" signs on the
way up his driveway. We didn't think anything of it, however, because
quite frankly, everyone in these parts has a "no trespassing" sign. But
after we began chatting with him, he softened up and apologized for
snapping at us. He turned out to be an extremely intelligent man, many
of the subjects he began talking about were way over my head. He was a
"staunch Presbyterian" and was very educated in his own faith, so he
wasn't interested int he gospel, but it was good to meet him! Haha He just gave me a scare at first!
We may have
found a new investigator this week! Her name is Kathy, and I had already
met her husband a couple months ago, and he wasn't interested, very
bitter against God, etc. So we weren't ever planning on going back
there, but one night I just felt like we needed to go there again. So
we went, me being rather reluctant and wondering why we were wasting our
time on this guy. But his wife was the one who opened the door and let
us in! We had a great conversation with her and she really wants her
kids to grow up knowing God! We are going back this week to see her
again!
A little soap box moment:
My friends. Please please please do
not forget about those in your ward and in your neighborhood that have
recently accepted the gospel. You might think that now that they are a
part of your ward, they feel a part of things. You may assume that they
already have a solid testimony. Maybe you think that they have had
enough people befriending them, or that now that they are baptized, you
don't have to try so hard to include them.
My friends--my dear Brothers and Sisters--Please do not drop these individuals off your radar.
One
of the most difficult things to do in this life is change. When
someone joins the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, they go
through of the most difficult and life-changing processes that one could
experience. They don't just need help and support prior to baptism, or
a few weeks or months after baptism--they need permanent support.
Solid friends whom they know will be there for them through thick and
thin. Someone that they know they can come to for questions or for help
with something. You can be the support that new converts need. Ask
yourself, "when is the last time I invited this new move-in to our
ward/recent convert/less active/returning member to a church activity in
person?" "When was the last time I invited this person to my home?"
Lately
I have heard some very disheartening news about converts from my last
area. These families are very near and dear to my heart, but it breaks
my heart to hear that they have not continued to feel support,
encouragement, and love from their wards, and have since stopped coming
to services. The missionaries are doing everything in their power to
help my dear converts to continue following this very difficult path
that they tried to change their lives to be on. However, with the
missionaries constantly changing, what these families really need are
friends. Real, true, loving friends. My plea to you is that you please
reach out--please find ways to support the continuing growth and
progress and testimonies of these converts.
I love you all very much.
God Bless,
Sister Moreland
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