Chapter 23: Diligence, Fasting and Easter

I know I've already made an email about diligence, but it's just so prevalent so here we are again. And Y'all! This week has been so good! It's mostly been contacting, but I'm learning to find the joy in it. Key word: LEARNING. Haven't quite found it all the way yet. It's hard when there's no lessons all day and no one answers their doors. This is where diligence comes in. Even though contacting all day is not my favorite thing in the world, I try to have a good attitude about it. I don't always succeed, but I know much my attitude can affect my outlook on the day and affect my comp as well.

On Wednesday we had one of these days. Thank goodness it wasn't the whole day! We had a Zone meeting in the morning, and we had been fasting all together as a Zone that day. Afternoon comes, meeting ends, and Sister Noel and I begin our contacting. We started in a neighborhood with two people we needed to get in contact with. Neither of them answered, but before getting in our car and going to the next neighborhood, we paused and looked around for any houses we felt prompted to knock. One across the street caught our attention, so we knocked. This sweet older lady came to the door, we said a prayer with her and set up a time to come back on Tuesday. Then she referred her neighbor across the street to us. So we knocked on that door too! And this amazing lady named Ashley answered! We introduced ourselves as missionaries and we offered to pray with her. She invited us in and gave us a house tour and told us all about her family. She told us that she had been praying to God and that we were answers to her prayers. And! She basically invited herself to church! We've been texting with her everyday since then, and she's literally just so amazing! Ashley is so loving, caring and full of gratitude. I am so excited to go back and have a lesson with her!

Oh! And after that, she referred the neighbor who referred her, lol. On our way out, the older lady we stopped by first called us over and gave us another referal! We went and visited him and are going back on Tuesday! 

We spent the entire rest of the day in that one neighborhood! It was so good!

The next day though, really was just contacting all day and it seemed to drag on. It wasn't my favorite, and I feel extra tired on those days. And I'm not as satisfied at the end of the day. But I know God is leading us along and He's there with us on the slow and fast days.

We also put our friend Jason on date to be baptized April 29!!! I'm literally so PUMPED! This is going to be the push he needs! For a long time now, us and the Sisters before had been beating around the bush with putting him on date. We knew it's something he wants, and it felt like we kinda got in a rutt and weren't progressing anywhere with him. Sister Noel and I were so excited after his lesson. We had a jam session in the car on the way to our next appointment. This is seriously true joy, helping someone take the steps to make a covenant with God. Literally how cool is this?? Missionaries spend all day everyday helping others come unto Christ and enter the gate to eternal life. The diligence to get through the rough and slow days is so worth it for little moments like these. Everyone please pray for Jason and that things will work out for his baptism! 🙏

Easter!! Easter was so good! I cried during church when all the primary kids went up and sang "I'm trying to be like Jesus". There's something so precious and pure about children singing about Jesus. I don't know how anyone could be unhappy being in primary. 

We had two Easter dinners, both were delicious. The members who fed us are seriously so wonderful. I really love this ward and I'm so grateful I get to serve here and help build up this area.

We also did some service this week and helped a member from the Goose Creek ward rake leaves for a couple hours. THERE ARE CATERPILLARS EVERYWHERE. I really enjoyed it though.

If you didn't take up Elder Stevenson's challenge to read 3 Nephi 11 during Easter, do it tonight. I know that as you read it you will find the peace, strength, comfort and guidance that you may be looking for. Jesus Christ loves you. He knows you perfectly. I would also invite you to watch the Book of Mormon video that goes along with those chapters. Take some time tonight to step away from the world and surround yourself with Christ your Healer, Redeemer, Savior and Brother.

I love you all so very much. And thank you to those who have sent me emails/letters! Know that I do read them and they brighten my day. Have a safe week y'all! Till next time!

Love,

Sister Ray

Pictures:

-Sis Noel got put in time-out by a 4yr old

-Cold rainy days

-When the member who just drove you tells you their cornea is scratched...

-Easter roses