A Bible! A Bible!

It was THE BEST WEEK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Let me tell you all about it.  

Monday, we played soccer with a ton of other missionaries - that is why I didn't have time to write at all (sorry!).  It was a classic moment that will be a memory forever.  We were all running around playing and it started pouring Florida rain.  Like, we were drenched in seconds.  It was awesome to look around with water pouring all around and dripping off my face at all of these other missionaries in Orlando.  They are so cool, and the mission is so cool.  I will always remember that.

Thursday, I went on exchange.  That means that I go out and basically trade places with a Sister Training Leader for a day.  I went to Buena Vista with Sister Dunford while Sister Ward stayed in Olympia.  Buena Vista is like a coveted area because it is the singles' ward with all the Disney workers in it.  We taught a lesson and committed their investigator to be baptized!  That was awesome.  But I also felt different, because I didn't have authority over that area.  It is cool to be able to be in charge of the people in your assigned area - what a responsibility to bring them the gospel!

Anyway, when we got back from exchanges, Sister Ward told us this awesome story.  They were biking around the area, and ran into a man.  They gave him a card and left on their way, only to pass by him again.  They kept going, and then Sister Higley's bike chain fell off, so they had to stop to fix it.  While they were fixing it, the same man came up to them again and said to Sister Ward, "Where is your church?  I want to go every week."  And that is how we found S.  They set an appointment up for the next day, and we were so stoked about it!

S is 57, from Guyana (a little country in South America), and sounds like a robot.  Haha let me explain:  S went through a pretty bad divorce in 2006 that left him devastated.  He tried to commit suicide, and, as a result, his vocal chords are wrecked.  He breathes out of hole in his throat, and speaks by holding a microphone up to his neck.  I hadn't met him yet when we first talked on the phone, and I kind of pictured him looking like a robot because he sounded exactly like one!  But he is really just a normal guy who has gone through some hard times.  When we taught him the first lesson, he was so ready to commit to everything, give service, and come to church.  He is getting baptized on September 14th!!  Me and Sister Ward are so amazed.  We have been working so hard with little results.  On Wednesday, we had no investigators.  And then on Friday, S was committed to baptism.  The Lord put His servants in the path of his son, S, who was searching.  He has been wanting God more in his life, and knew that he would be led to the right path to get closest to Him.  We have taught him a few times, took him to a baptism, and are excited to keep seeing him progress towards eternal salvation.  What a blessing to be able to witness such a miracle.  Also, S has Hindu roots.  I am glad that the Lord is letting me use the knowledge I gained from my world religions studies to help teach His many children the restored Truth.

I love love love this.  It is hard.  It is fun.  It is rewarding.  It is exhausting.  It is the best.  I now understand how so many of the Book of Mormon prophets have felt.  It is so sad to get so attached to a group of people - to love them as soon as they open the door - and to have them not partake of the fruits of joy and peace that is the gospel.  Missionary work is so hard because you are so invested in it.  Lives are on the line.  That makes it hard when people reject their own happiness.  But we only do what we can - our best.  The Lord of the harvest asks that we obey and work hard, so that we do!  We then can only pray for people to be softened and ready enough to hear Him through us.  It is great!  

I know this is His work and church.  I felt very strongly to bear my testimony  in our ward yesterday, and it was so powerful to feel my calling as His representative and witness come through as I stated His divinity and reality.  He picks us up and lifts us when we can't do it on our own.  I love Him and His children here in Florida.

  This week, I would like to challenge you all to make a family mission plan.  We have a ward one, and it is awesome.  Maybe plan some things you can do individually and as a family to help more people come to Christ - whether they are members or not! 

I love you all so much.  I hope you have the best day ever. :)  Miss you!!

Love, Hna. Kara Allred