Hola Familia (that's for you Linda)!
Well, as you know I am staying in Gillingham... and my companion is
.... Sister Greenfield! We get to stay together another transfer! We
were plenty shocked, but we are thrilled for the work we can do in the
next 6 weeks. the Lord is generous! Our baptism did happen, but of
course not without some interesting moments. For example, S.Greenfield
and I sang "A Child's Prayer" for the baptism. We had a recently
reactivated member, Catherine, play the piano for us. We had practiced
at her house, but I guess she got a little nervous. It was about 3 times
faster than it is meant to be... and I just couldn't keep up. I have
never sang that song that fast and so about half way through the first
verse I just couldn't keep up and had to stop singing and just pick back
up at the last line. Dave really enjoyed it and said he felt the
spirit. It has given everyone else that attended a nice laugh. All the
members keep talking to me about it and the Elders found it especially
hilarious. Looking back it is pretty funny, although at the moment, it
was slightly embarrassing. Then we had some water temperature issues.
Usually the water is too cold, right? Not this time, it was boiling!
Steam was filling up in the font area (and it was a really hot day
anyway). The brother baptising him wouldn't even put his foot in it was
that hot. So we had to drain part of it and refill it with cold.
Luckily, eventually the baptism happened and it went really well. The
spirit was there and it was a nice experience to remember my purpose as a
missionary. Some of our other investigators had really great
experiences as well.
An interesting experience this week was getting lost in a field.
Yup, a big field in the middle of nowhere. We were out in a small
village on the edge of our area, visiting a member and trying to locate a
less active. Our map told us there was a shortcut through this field,
but alas there was not. It led to a dead end and we ended up having to
back track and missing the last bus in that area and we were
already late for another appointment. We called a couple in our ward
that lives nearish that area to give us a lift to where we needed to be.
This couple is an older couple (they are actually ward missionaries,
but they won't come out teaching with us). The lady is kind of cranky
but in a really funny way. It's hard to explain, but S. Greenfield and I
were really scared of her when I first got to this ward, but we've
progressively gotten to know her better and worked up a good
relationship with her. WEll, apparently when we called them for a lift
it was right in the middle of her TV time for the day. When we got in
the car, her husband said "Sister Hankin will not be talking to you today on our journey because you interupted her teli time and she is not happy" She sat
in the front seat all upset. But I don't think she was really upset; I
think she just likes people thinking she's cranky. We found it
hilarious!! And we bought her chocolate and went to visit her and she
has forgiven us. It was so funny though! I wish I could explain her
personality better, but I don't know that it would do her justice. I
will tell you though that she said when she was in her younger years,
her and her gal friends would go and try and pick up sailors, but
instead of dropping hankercheifs for them to pick up, she would drop a
can of beans because they make a louder sound and is more noticable!
What a character! I love her to peices, even if she does get cranky with
us. haha
I think a really big thing that has touched my heart this week is
the power of repentance and forgiveness. Catherine (that played the
piano) has been working to go to the temple. She had an interview this
week, but a past issue came up that she had even thought about being an
issue and all week it has really just weighed her down and she's
struggled with feelings of regret and guilt. On Sunday
she met with the bishop and I saw her once she came back into the
chapel afterwards. She was glowing. It was amazing to talk to her and
see how good she felt. She was able to receive a recommend to go to the
temple to do baptisms and a recommend for a patriarchal blessing. She is
amazing! And it was touching to be able to physically see the power
forgiveness has. Then bishop shared a story in testimony mtg about his
son that recently got baptized; his son had been arguing with his
brother. They were leaving to go somewhere and they couldn't find his
recently baptized son anywhere. They finally found him in his room,
kneeling and offerring a vocal prayer asking Heavenly Father to forgive
him for arguing with his brother. As he shared this story, I felt the
spirit so strong and it reminded me how much we need to become as little
children. These experiences led me to ponder Alma the younger sharing
his experience. I love Alma 36:19-20. Oh what joy we can behold when we
truly repent and receive forgiveness. How thankful I am for the Savior
and what he's done for me that he makes that forgiveness possible! I am
so grateful to wear his name on my heart and share this good news with
many people every single day! What a blessing!
I love you all!!!
Love,
Sister Davis
P.S. Please pray that we will find a prepared FAMILY to teach this week!! :) Thanks!
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