Hump day!
We
had appointments with Frau Byo and Steven, a new guy we met who was
doing a street display for some charity thing. He's from Togo and we
taught him about the Book of Mormon so that was awesome. We did some
service for a less active sister in our ward, whose daughter isn't a
member. We taught Shana before I left. I LOVE Shana. She's 18 and so
cool! They both came to church on Sunday.
We are dinner yesterday with Quionying and her husband, who are both
from China so it was amazing Chinese food. She joined the church a few
years ago in London. Her husband is super smart -- he tried to explain
to me what he does for work (something with research and lasers). He was
speaking English, but not my English, haha.
We had a ward family history activity on Saturday.
It was mostly ward members, but we got to talk to them about the "my
family" packets that you can fill out and why family history is
important. It was actually a really fun activity. Before my mission, I
was not at all interested in family history. I would look for names and
take them to the temple if I could find them, but I didn't care at all. I
have felt my heart turn to my fathers, like it says in Malachi. It has
been so cool to learn about my heritage (shoutout to everyone who puts
stories/memories on family search) and where I come from. And I have
found a lot of family names that I can bring to the temple. Super cool.
We
had a Tausch with the sister in Langenhorn, Sister Haynie and Vail.
Sister vail came to Altona with me, and Sis Daines and Haynie went to
Langenhorn. Most of our appointments fell through, so we did a lot of
finding. But it was good. We talked to this nondenominational Christian
man who was handing out Jesus calendars.. I tried to build of common
beliefs and talk about Jesus Christ, but he just kept throwing bible
verses at me and eventually told us we were going to hell. I guess he
probably meant well, but it wasn't very nice, haha. Anyways, he had a
cool conversion story, but he dismissed my love for my Savior because I
hadn't spent 30 years of my life doing drugs and then received a new
heart from Jesus. I thought a lot about it and I believe that he has
received immense help from Jesus Christ, but I know that just as surely
as He helps us make big changes, He also changes our heart every day and
every moment that we repent. I've always tried to do what's right. I
don't need to cross the line to know that Christ's way is the best and
that He is always there to help me. I have felt His constant support,
love and help in the last 9 months. I am thankful for the fullness of
the gospel of Jesus Christ and for a God who gives us answers when we
ask Him. I am thankful for this special time in my life when I can
devote all my time and energy to serve God and find His prepared
children. My heart has been stretched as I have felt the most intense
sadness and inadequacy, but also the most incredible joy and love. I
will forever be thankful for this time to be a missionary and teach
people about Jesus Christ.
So
we had an amazing appointment with Ana. I met with her a few times when
I was here before, and she had so many problems that I just thought she
was Pandora's box. I didn't think she could or would change. That's
pretty sad to admit. In our lesson on Thursday,
though, I was so amazed. I was praying to help and love this woman. Her
Book of Mormon was out and open (which is amazing because it is very
hard for her to read). She was feeding her sweet 5 month old baby and
telling us about how he can feel the feeling (the spirit) that we bring
with us every time we come. She could recognize it. She wanted to change
and was trying to and the spirit has been touching her heart as she
reads and prays. We taught her about the commandments and how they are
given to us from our loving Heavenly Father who really knows what is
best for us. We had an amazing discussion about the law of chastity and
what God expects from us and how we can repent. At the end, she told us
how grateful she is to God that He never leaves us alone. He sent His
son, so our sins can be washed clean and we can be forgiven. She told us
that she will be alone when she gets her own apartment, and that one
day, her baby will grow up and leave her alone too, but that she knows
that God will never leave her alone. I know that God's light changes us
if we let it, and He has a greater future in store for us than we can
possibly imagine. He sees us for who we truly are.
Thanks for all the love and support! I hope y'all have a great week! Good luck at state! Benjamin, GET A HAIRCUT.
Ich liebe euch!
Sister Simpson
P.S.
Because it was both of our hump day(s?) this week, we scrounged up some
money and went to Vapiano's for dinner (aka the best place on earth).
That's basically all the celebrating we did. Also, funny story: Just
like dad, I like to keep the heat off and the windows open (because I
sleep on the top bunk and so the warm air rises and I get hot). Sister
Daines HATES it. Last night, she slept in sweats, a sweatshirt, 2 extra
blankets and a heated rice pack. Apparently, she was done with that
because this morning, she shut the windows, cranked the heat and put
sticky notes all over the apartment for me. Haha. I just turn it down
when she's not looking. :)
Quote of the Week:
Sister Daines: "Oh no. I angered it."
Me: "What am I, an 'it' now?"
Sister Daines: "No, but the part of you that likes running is."
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