Well, I will be staying in Jogja until the 17th! I don't like sharing bad news, but I should probably let you all know that the Johan's most likely will not be baptized on the 16th. Probably the biggest let down of my mission so far. I have never seen the adversary work so hard on one family before. Basically they just got bombarded with anti-mormon stuff..from others, from the internet, ect. The mom said that now when she tries to read the Book of Mormon her "heart rejects it" and she also felt that her prayers were answered and that the Lord told her she needs to stay at her old church. These last two weeks we have been fasting, praying, working on Pday, doing everything we can to help this family enter into the waters of baptism, but I know that they have their agency and we can only do our part to help them. They still want to learn, but I think we are going to give them a break for a little while and hopefully they will find the truth.
Although that was super disappointing, It didn't get us down because I feel like the Lord has blessed us with other super awesome people right now. For the first time in my mission, we are getting tons of member referrals! We started teaching this family that was a referral from a member, they had learned with missionaries before and then the missionaries moved and they just kind of got forgotten. They have been to church many times and awesome! They are a family of 5. Next weekend is stake conference in Solo and they are coming! We have also been teaching a part member family (the lady who I've sent pictures of wearing the head covering). The dad works every Sunday because they literally have nothing and live off of what he gets everyday and we've been trying to have him take a leap of faith and come to church and THEY CAME! He left his job that he usually does on Sunday mornings and they came as a family to church. They have a baptismal date for the 16th a long with some of our other investigators...so all is still well, the Lord is blessing us! :)
I have a book that I write in when I study everyday and I was looking back at all I've learned and how much my testimony has grown since I have been in the service of the Lord. It is crazy. I am so grateful for these 18 months. Missionaries say this quite often, but If I didn't convert a single soul on my mission, I HAVE BEEN CONVERTED. This is an all or nothing church. It is either ALL true, it is either GOD'S CHURCH, or it is all false, build upon the foundation of men deceiving the world, calling themselves prophets. I KNOW without a single doubt that this is CHRIST'S CHRUCH, and that His restored Gospel is the only way to true happiness in this life, salvation and eternal life. I know that Joseph Smith and his successors are prophets of God and I wouldn't trade that knowledge for anything.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ;wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
Pak Penijo. He will be baptized on the 16th. The most humble guy ever!
With so much love,
Sister Reilly
No comments:
Post a Comment