Sister Henson-Give me 2 Moe!

Hey family,

Another great Mission Of Excellence week, in fact, it truly was excellent! Our zone was working particularly hard to get the Zone of Excellence and we only missed it by a couple of people at Church, no other zone has ever gotten that close. The mission came up short on only a few key indicators, but it was an improvement from last time. It’s incredible to see the way the mission is rising. There are currently 108 people set to enter the waters of baptism, 90 of them will be in the month of May. Our monthly average has been about 30! I know! It’s incredible what the Lord has been able to do with missionaries who are willing to step it up and rise to new levels of obedience, sacrifice and diligence. And let’s not forget the incredible members we have here. On Friday and Saturday, we had members with us the entire day. They just went everywhere with us, teaching, tracting and out soap-boxing again. Here are some highlights from the week.
Barry and Andrea. We found them in the same apartment complex that we found Justin, Trever and Matt. That place is a gold mine. We knocked on the door and Barry answered and invited us in without us even saying a word! I wasn’t sure he knew who we were but I wasn’t about to argue. I asked a couple questions to see what his religious background was and he told us that he was a church hopper looking for the power and authority (yes, he even used those words) that is talked about in the Bible and that he had been baptized several times because he didn’t feel like they were doing it the right way. I proceeded to pick my jaw up off of the floor and teach him about the Restoration. He ate it up! Not sure if we’ll be able to keep him as an investigator, I’m not sure if Andrea is a friend, girlfriend or wife. But he’s incredible!
Friedo is working towards baptism in June now! He is doing so well; I’ve never seen someone study the scriptures so intently. He came to Church again this last week and said “I’m going to fit right into the Mormon culture.” He said that in response to a member explaining what Mormon Standard Time was… we all got a good chuckle.
Sunday was actually the most incredible day. Fast and Testimony meeting took on the theme of missionary work! It was really every missionaries dream to have a meeting like that. The members were sharing how their testimonies had been strengthened by all the new members and investigators and that they were excited to do their own missionary work. Trever actually got up and bore his testimony as well, it made me cry. Among other things, this is what he said, “I know the Church is true. I know it, because I’ve been to all the other churches, and they don’t have it. This one does.” He said it with so much conviction, I felt the Spirit testify to me that he had said was true. I loved that part most of all; that the Spirit was now testifying to me through his words, and not the other way around. He and Keith were ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood as well. Matt would have been but he was really sick this weekend. He’ll receive it next week though.
With school out, our ward grew with new people coming home and people out to do sales. We’ve got some great recently returned missionaries that are so ready to get to work. I’m so excited for that.
Justin is doing great too. He’ll be baptized on Saturday. He talked to us yesterday about serving a mission. How it works and how he could prepare! I know, wouldn’t that be the greatest thing ever!
We also did a little soap-boxing this Saturday. We met some great people and found three new investigators through it. Also a couple for the other singles ward. It’s also been a great tool to help Sister Moore be bolder. I’ve loved watching her grow these last two months.
I have also strengthened my testimony this week of prayer. It is a powerful thing and Heavenly Father truly does hear and answer them. I’ve been praying for charity lately and the Lord gave me a pretty big trial. I couldn’t figure out for the longest time why I had to go through it and I was pretty frustrated with myself. One night as we were driving home, it clicked. As Ether 12:27 states, we are given weaknesses so we can be humble. When we are humble, we then have a place for the pure love of Christ to reside in our hearts. Once I figured that out, I began to make the changes necessary to humble myself, instead of making the Lord do it. So hopefully now I can grow in charity and humility. Isn’t it amazing how when we look back on our trials, we always see the wisdom in it? While in the thick of it, we just have to push through it knowing that it is for our benefit. What a great perspective the restored Gospel has given us on life. I met many people who simply blame God and get angry when bad/hard things happen. How grateful I am for the hope and optimism the Gospel gives us.
I love you all, thanks for your prayers and letters.

Love, Sister Henson