Monday, September 25, 2017

Signed Testimony

This week has been absolutely amazing!! The hard work that Elder Blamires, Elder Carlson, and I have been putting in has finally started to pay off! It's really crazy though, because it isn't us, but it is all from the Lord, he has just be throwing things into our lap, it's wild, this truly is his work! So get this, we got a call from our bishop telling us that a part member is ready to be baptized, we went to talk with her for a little. Super long story short, she is getting baptized today! Literally, we did nothing, I have taught her once and it was just a spiritual video (forever ago). We went through the interview questions with her and she is super solid and is so ready!

We also have been able to find a ton of new people to teach! We went tracting and found this guy, named John, who was so nice to us! He has a step daughter serving in Puerto Rico, so he totally wants to learn more! We then played some wiffle ball with him and his kids and he really like that we weren't just there to preach at him but we care about him and his family. He then said "Ya know, I really want to visit y'all at church." The ward is also getting really involved in missionary work and there are tons of youth that are sharing the gospel with their friends, so now they want to come to mutual, church, and even seminary! One of the friends came to mutual and loved it, he told the member that he hates the churches around here and just wants to find a good church that lives what they teach. He also said that he really likes what he saw at church and wants to learn and come to church. Also, we were able to get back in contact with Kelly Rose ( a less active we were working with a few months ago), and she is doing so good!! She has seen how the gospel has blessed her life and wants to keep changing. We taught her about the Sabbath Day, so she came to church and loved it!! gahh!! There are so many good things that have been happening, it is absolutely amazing! It has been such a blessing, because it is helping me stay focused and remember what my purpose is and truly love this work!

Last transfer I talked about how I felt like I needed to stay on my mission for the full 2 years, rather than go home early for school, I feel like I have found the reason why. There have been so many people that we have been able to come in contact with that are prepared to receive the gospel, it's crazy! As excited as I am to be home, I am so thankful that I decided to stay out until October 5th, because if not, we may never have met John, Leslie, and Bill (from an exchange in Dothan), and we may not have been able to help Kelly come back to church. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to teach the gospel every day, it strengthens my testimony of God's love for all of his children and His perfect plan for each of us. I wouldn't trade this for the world!

This Sunday was my last Sunday at church. It was such a good one! It was the primary program and boy did they do a good job! There was one part that I really loved, in the ward here there is a girl that has some severe handicaps but is just a ball of light everywhere she goes, she can hardly talk, but when it was her part in the program her and her mom got up there and stole the show! Her mom talked, while she signed, and together they said "Jesus shows us how to pray,"  The spirit came so strongly into the room, it was amazing! This helped me realize how this gospel is for everyone!! It doesn't matter who you are, God loves you and has a perfect plan for you! I love this gospel and I am so thankful for how much it has changed my life and allowed me to have true and lasting joy!

I love y'all so much, thank you for everything!

Elder Schipaanboord

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