Jubilee Days and Bible Bashers!

On Wednesday, I gave my very first training in District Council by myself! I was really nervous, but my District Leader said it was "very nice", which, for him, is a pretty good compliment. Everyone participated, which was awesome!

This weekend was Laramie's "Jubilee Days", which is basically a big carnival/rodeo event they have once a year. On Thursday, a couple in our Spanish Branch invited us to go with them to get dinner at the food trucks, which was super fun! We got to get Double Dub's (a wings and tots place) and Curry Time (a curry place). Both were SO good and it was so nice to spend time with the members of our Branch.

Afterwards, we had a lesson with Laura! We talked about Moroni chapter 10 and the Gospel of Jesus Christ - we invited her to be baptized, but she said she had been baptized as a baby in a different church, so she didn't feel like she needed to be baptized again. Next time, we'll talk about priesthood authority and baptism!

We tried to meet with Gary on Friday (a guy we street contacted into last week and said we could come back sometime) but when he saw us walking up to his trailer, he got up and went inside...then we knocked on the door...and no response. We might try to go over again sometime and hopefully it was just a coincidence that he walked inside when we walked up.

We got to meet Derek on Saturday! We were about to get in the car and head home from street contacting, but he was walking by and the Spirit was like "Hermana DeWitt, talk to everyone - be bold!" so I said 'hi', asked him about his day, told him we're missionaries, and if he would be interested in a message about Jesus Christ. Turns out, he's kind of a basher, but Hermana Behymer and I taught clearly and powerfully, and we could both really feel the Spirit (even though he couldn't, because he wanted to bash). I hope someday Derek has a real desire to learn and that he'll reach out the missionaries when that day comes.

"And [some of the Nephites] were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren...Nevertheless, [the humble part of the Nephites] did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." 

--Helaman 3:34-35

 

As followers of Jesus Christ, there will always be people that 'persecute' or make fun of us and our beliefs, but as we 'yield our hearts' to God, He can make our persecutions and afflictions an opportunity to refine and sanctify our hearts. This week, find one way that you can 'yield' your heart to the Lord and trust in Him during your difficult times! I know that as you give your heart to God, He'll be able to strengthen and console you during times of hardship, sadness, and loneliness.