Congratulations to Nicole!! :D That's so cool she graduated, I remember when I graduated and I was soo happy! :) I'm glad Grandma seems to be doing well! That must've been pretty cool to have all the grandparents there for her! :) Everyone looks really great! :) Haha I didn't know Lehi had a song until I graduated, either. :)
Here's my weekly email to President Blickenstaff:
Dear President,
This week was pretty good. I thought a lot about Moses and his experience as well as the talk by Elder Holland where often times before or after we reach a "Spiritual high," the adversary tries to get his hits in. These last two weeks, I have been very concerned with whether or not I have been doing well enough in this new position. I realized as I thought about it that a lot of these thoughts were coming from him. I have been trying to focus more on what I can do and the things I can do right now to be the most effective. As I have turned more to the Lord in times of stress or worry, I have tried to follow Joseph Smith's example and turn to the Lord and pray more fervently to Him.
This week, we were able to see some huge miracles through planning and having faith in our plan and working hard. In particular, yesterday, Elder Ward and I had a lesson set up for Sunday night and had a new investigator that week already, so we needed one more. We planned to go to a certain street in our area and try to get a sit-down lesson with someone who we could then add for church. At that time, we went to the place we had planned to go, found someone and started talking to him. He wasn't interested and time was running out. I was bummed, but I knew we had done all we could, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man facing us, looking like he wanted to talk to us. I turned to him and he started talking. He said he had started investigating other Christian churches and was curious about our message. He asked us if we could sit down with him and we had a full first lesson with him and added him for next week and he agreed to come to church next week! There have been several miracles like that we have seen with planning and with focusing on finding those who have been prepared.
This week was pretty good. I thought a lot about Moses and his experience as well as the talk by Elder Holland where often times before or after we reach a "Spiritual high," the adversary tries to get his hits in. These last two weeks, I have been very concerned with whether or not I have been doing well enough in this new position. I realized as I thought about it that a lot of these thoughts were coming from him. I have been trying to focus more on what I can do and the things I can do right now to be the most effective. As I have turned more to the Lord in times of stress or worry, I have tried to follow Joseph Smith's example and turn to the Lord and pray more fervently to Him.
This week, we were able to see some huge miracles through planning and having faith in our plan and working hard. In particular, yesterday, Elder Ward and I had a lesson set up for Sunday night and had a new investigator that week already, so we needed one more. We planned to go to a certain street in our area and try to get a sit-down lesson with someone who we could then add for church. At that time, we went to the place we had planned to go, found someone and started talking to him. He wasn't interested and time was running out. I was bummed, but I knew we had done all we could, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man facing us, looking like he wanted to talk to us. I turned to him and he started talking. He said he had started investigating other Christian churches and was curious about our message. He asked us if we could sit down with him and we had a full first lesson with him and added him for next week and he agreed to come to church next week! There have been several miracles like that we have seen with planning and with focusing on finding those who have been prepared.
I was able to go on exchanges with a missionary in the zone this week, and he seems to be doing well. We focused on contacting and searching for those whom God has prepared us to find. His Chinese seems to be coming along pretty well! If someone "bu yong'ed" (said they didn't want to talk to us) us, we would quickly go to the next person and contact them. We were able to see miracles from this as well. We contacted a lady at a light who wouldn't say a word to us, and the scripture from Alma 32 came to mind, where Alma immediately turns about and talks to the crowd of the prepared people. So we left and contacted the next guy, who ended up adding for later in the week and seemed interested in our message!
Over all, it's been a good week and I'm glad to be here and with Elder Ward! I have a lot to learn from him!
Alright, this week was good! Monday we went to Costco, so that was cool. :) I bought muffins and milk, yay! :D Monday night, we went to find some people to teach and had an active member lesson with the xie family. Brother Xie is the Elder's Quorum president. He's amazing. When he speaks, he speaks with power. :) It was really cool. We were almost brought to tears when he said the closing prayer, the Spirit was so strong. :) It was pretty awesome. :)
Tuesday, we went on exchanges, where we switched companions for a day, had some lessons, contacted some people, then Wednesday did more contacting, switched back, and then had a lesson with Robert and Belle. They are investigators and Robert is super awesome! :D He has a goal to get baptized for 6-25. We thought we had given him a goal that was too early, so we discussed it with him, and he said something like, "Elders, I can tell that you love me and want to give me this blessing because you're so enthusiastic about this work and it makes me want to be better to hit this goal, so let's keep it at 6-25." Wow!! :D That was sooo cool!! :D Afterwards, we went to visit a couple less active kids and then had English class at night.
Thursday was MLC meeting. It was sooo awesome!! :D It took all day, which was cool because it was a huge spiritual boost, but a bummer, because we weren't able to proselyte in our area for an entire day. :/
Friday was good. Weekly planning, met with Robert and Belle, lots of contacting at night.
Saturday was a day of miracles. We had a 60th anniversary of missionary work broadcast in the morning which was really cool, but because of that, we didn't get good studies in. It showed that night when we had a lesson. It was our first meet with a potential investigator. We didn't teach him well. We needed the Spirit and God's help, but we didn't do our part that day to have it. We were able to set him again, fortunately, so maybe we'll have another chance. The miracle was that we were humbled from that experience and at 8 had two VERY important appointments--Elder Ward was meeting with a less active member who hadn't been to church in years and talking about the importance of the Gospel and church. I was conducting a baptismal interview. The miracle was that we said a really intense, sincere prayer asking for forgiveness and for help, and both appointments went well. The baptismal interview was one of the best I've ever been a part of. The Holy Ghost was SO strong! :)
Sunday was another day of miracles. We needed another investigator, so we planned to get a miracle sit-down lesson with someone, which we were able to do! God is a God of miracles. :) We were also able to help 5 less-active members come to sacrament meeting yesterday, which really pumped up the ward. :) It was an awesome week! :D There were plenty of ups and downs, but if we trust in God, He will help us. :) Love you guys so much and I hope you all have a great week!
Sorry I ran out of time and didn't have time to go through all the emails this week. :( I love you lots and I'll try to write more to you guys next week! Love you so much and I'm praying for you!!
Elder Fleming
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