Christmas time is magical. Last night we had a stake Christmas concert. We are spoiled because IU has a great music program. There was a marimba medley, organ magic, Spanish carols, and many great solo and choir numbers. So fantastic. Yesterday was also the Christmas program in sacrament meeting, because a lot of the ward will probably be gone. And that was fantastic, as well. There is just so much talent in the ward, and it's a wonderful way for people to use their talents in such a way to catalyze the presence of the spirit.
Progress of investigators is difficult over the holidays, but we're doing what we can. We did have a great lesson with J. We've been meeting with her on and off since July. And she used to be a member, but then had her name removed. So she's always been back and forth, but her desires are good. She's almost 70, she's had a terrible life, and she has mental problems. She just wants to be happy. It's just really hard to try to help people to change their mindsets--you have to do the things that make you happy to be happy. And Heavenly Father has told us what we need to do.
She believes what we tell her when we're there, but forgets when we leave. For example, we talked to her about faith and experimenting on the word to try to get her to come to church. (She plans on going once the time changes from 9 am to 1 pm, but we'd really like her to go sooner to see if she's serious about getting baptized again). Sister F, who is the wonderful Bishop's wonderful wife, talked about how 9 am church is hard for her, because she has 5 kids (10 and under) that she has to get ready for church, but she is blessed for going. We asked Jane if she thought that was true. She said, "Well yeah! I don't think she would lie!" So she agreed to come to church. But then she called us Saturday to tell us that she didn't want to go anymore because it was icy, and she might fall and break her leg, and then have to live in a nursing home.
I wanted to tell her to imagine the dedication to Heavenly Father that would demonstrate, but then she would probably go on about this church that wanted her to break her leg for the Lord. Oh, teaching people with mental problems. In the past she threatened to take legal action against us if we come to her apartment again. She thought we were going to force her to pay tithing. But we do love her.
We also got to visit a lady who has been less active for a long time. I've never seen somebody so genuinely annoyed to see us on their door-step. She said things like "I've got to talk to the bishop, because these visitations have to stop." But then she invited us in. We shared a message about Christ, and the spirit came in. She apologized for being how she was at first, and said she was glad she let us in.
The spirit softens hearts.
We also went to see J. We hadn't seen him for about 2 weeks. He said he was really content where he was. I didn't know what to say. I prayed to know how to help him. We asked him about his studies. He talked about studying firm foundations, and how sometimes we build wrong and have to start over, and how that can be very painful because we get so comfortable where we were. At the very end, we asked what had changed from when he was so excited about the Book of Mormon and God's pure theology. He said he didn't really know. Just that he wanted to go back to his roots. I said, "well, we've all got a lot to think about in regards to building firm foundations" And then we left. We'll see where his ponderings took him.
The spirit brings to mind what we need to say.
Yesterday, we were leaving a neighborhood when we felt like we should go back to see a lady who lives there. We turned around and went back. We told her we missed her at church that day. She said she didn't know if she'd ever be back. We sat and just listened to her talk about her problems (which are numerous) We had nothing to say, but had a lot of thoughts. About how the gospel isn't just for fair weather, but it's especially for those stormy times. At the end, she said "I should probably start reading again." It's amazing how those simple things really do make a big difference. "I'll read again tonight"
The spirit directs us physically and spiritually.
And here's a Christmas thought. We got to teach an Asian student on campus. He asked us why Christ is called a lamb all the time. We explained the creditor and the debtor, and how a 3rd party that was completely innocent was needed. He asked why anybody would do that--take upon himself something like that when it wasn't even his fault. We were quiet for a second. "Love"
"It's true wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas"
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Sister Bowen
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