Sister Henson-Nebraska IS a foreign mission

Hello again,
  I survived another week here in Oz!  Not sure if anyone watches the weather
very closely here in Omaha, but we had a crazy storm here on Wednesday.  That
morning was great as we enjoyed attending Zone Conference and being inspired
and edified.  We headed afterward to downtown Omaha for dinner with a member,
Jessica Heaps, and two
investigators, Jen and Cassie.  We sat down for dinner
and just after the prayer was finished we heard the first tornado siren sound.
We happened to be on the third level of a big apartment building and could see
some dark clouds way off in the distance.  We decided to keep eating and
ignored the next two sirens that went off.  We watched as this giant, black,
wall cloud start towards us.  Jessica turned on the news and we saw this huge
storm stretching across Nebraska headed right for us.  Within this storm were
several tornados and funnels.  It was at that moment that we started to get
nervous.  Thankfully we had finished dinner and we so we headed into the
stairwell on level one, which was below ground.  We met and chatted with a lot
of the other residents and took the opportunity to teach because no one could
get away!  There was a young guy, probably around 24 who had known some members
at his previous job and
he started asking some questions.  He asked if we had a
certain number of people that we had to convert before we came home.  I laughed
and told him that we don’t convert.  We simply share with others what has
brought us joy and what we know to be true and invite them to find out for
themselves.  It’s the Spirit of God that converts.  He asked if I had ever
seen anyone convert.  I told him about Will and how two weeks before he was
baptized he considered himself an atheist Jew.  He was very shocked by that and
you could see the thoughts that were running through his mind.  It probably went
something like this, “Wow, if they could convert an atheist Jew, then I
don’t stand a chance.  I’d better get out of here before they get me
too.”  He left pretty quickly after that.  I got a good laugh out of it.  You
could really see the worry on his face that we were going to “get him.” 
  Thursday Will went to
the Temple to do baptisms for the dead!  He loved it
and it was such a great experience for him and us.  He has been out with us a
couple of times to teach other investigators and has done a great job.  Sunday
he was asked to bear his testimony and it was very sincere despite his apparent
nervousness.  He also passed the sacrament.  I love seeing these recent converts
progress so quickly.  I love being able to see them enter such a sacred holy
place and feel the Spirit that is there. 
 Jen and Cassie, who I mentioned earlier, are preparing for baptism in July.
Cassie has already received a witness of the Book of Mormon and is reading it
like crazy.  She is truly feasting upon the words of Christ and I have noticed
her countenance change.  Jen has a friend in Illinois that is a member and he
has been helping her progress as well.  I love members!
This week is another Mission of Excellence week.  We had a Zone
Meeting this morning and we are feeling so excited.  Sister Hansen and I gave a training on
developing faith.  We actually focused on how to remove doubt.  It’s amazing
all of the stories in the scriptures of people who were hindered by doubt (like
Peter when he attempted to walk on water) or blessed for their exceeding faith
(like the Brother of Jared).  Where fear and doubt are, faith cannot exist.  We
are actually going out on splits tonight with some sisters in the ward to try
and teach as many people as possible.  With how busy it’s been in the trail
center we haven’t had a lot of time in our area.  We have so many people who
are ready to progress but just don’t have enough time to teach them all.
Well, I’m sorry I’ve got to run.  We don’t have a lot of time today.
Thanks for your prayers.  Please up them this week to help our Zone reach the
standard.
I love you!
Love, Sister
Henson