Happy New Year!! The days and weeks continue to fly by whether I want them to or not!
This week... I went on exchanges in Casper, Wyoming for two days! I celebrated New Years Day at our monthly Mission Leadership Council Meeting. And I went to Longmont on exchanges for a day right after.
I had two really meaningful teaching experiences this week. The first was in Casper. Elder Pratt and I taught a girl named Cherri who is preparing to be baptized. It was AWESOME! I love having the opportunity to share my own personal experiences with people to help them know that the confusion and stress they are experiencing is normal. Her friend Tara was baptized just after Thanksgiving. Tara is very converted right now and Cherri has been nervous because she doesn't understand like Tara. I feel like Cherri feels a lot more comfortable and less overwhelmed. At least I hope so!!
Secondly, on Saturday in Windsor, we taught an older man named Richard. His daughter is dating the oldest son of a family (the Jensen's) from church. He was recently given less than six months to live so he decided to move to Windsor and live with his daughter. Richard was so excited when Sister Jensen invited him to meet with us. At the beginning of our lesson he told us, "I have been looking forward to talking with you all day!" It was one of the best discussions I've ever had. It is very refreshing to sit down with someone who is open and interested in hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His first questions... "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" "YES!" "Do you believe that He is the Son of God and Savior of mankind?" "YES!" "Do you believe good people like Confucius or Ghandi can go to Heaven?" "YES! We believe God loves everyone and has made a way for all people to enter into the Kingdom of God through the ordinances." The Spirit was powerful as we testified of the Plan of Salvation. He cried as I had said the opening prayer. He gave an awesome closing prayer. He made it to church yesterday, we are seeing him at the Jensen's tonight, and we have a return appointment for tomorrow! I pray that his health will be preserved so we have the opportunity to teach him the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!
I would say the most important thing I have learned since I have been a missionary is to recognize the Spirit when someone is speaking. There are a handful of missionaries I have served with out here that likewise have truly learned how to do that. I wish I could demonstrate the difference to you in this email. It makes me think of what Nephi says in 2 Nephi 33:1 "And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." Nephi is frustrated because he wants us to experience the Holy Ghost carrying his message to our hearts as he speaks. Similarly, I wish I could speak to you right now by the power of the Holy Ghost so you could feel the difference. I know there is a tremendous difference between talking & telling and teaching & testifying.
Here is an example of one specific time this week where the message should have been more powerful than it was. I was on exchanges with Elder Pratt in Casper, Wyoming. While there, we went to a funeral for a woman I have never met at a local Christian Church. It was weird... I couldn't feel any power or Spirit behind what the words of the man who led the service. As he spoke, I couldn't feel his heart. He spoke elegantly, but they were just words. I couldn't really place it... Perhaps it was because 95% of the words he said were pre written. Perhaps he didn't actually know the woman or her family. Perhaps he is going through some other challenges in his life and he left his heart at home. It was just weird! That night I talked with Elder Pratt about it, and he had the same experience. Having a companion who likewise recognizes the difference helps A LOT! The difference is very subtle and takes time to learn to recognize. It took the first six to nine months of 2015 to notice the difference consistently.
I am grateful for the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love promising people that they CAN find out for themselves this is true. I will miss testifying everyday of the changing power of this Gospel and feeling the Spirit speak through me.
Have the best New Year ever!!!
Love,
Elder Campbell
P.S. I am working on planning out departing and homecoming talks at church. Feel free to come if you would like. I am speaking at church in Windsor at 1pm this Sunday (500 Hillspire Dr). Back home... I have no idea when I am speaking yet. Hopefully it will be at the end of this month or beginning of next month once in Davis, CA and once near Santa Clara, CA. We shall see!
No comments:
Post a Comment