This week has been challenging, but so wonderful. We finally set a date with one of our investigators, Paul. August 29!!! :) Thank you so much for your prayers. Start praying that he can meet this date please! He is trying so hard to stop smoking and it is really hard for him, but his faith is growing every day. It is such a joy to see the faith and courage in his eyes each time we meet when he tells us again how badly he wants to overcome this
challenge.
So THE BIG NEWS: TRANSFERS! drumroll......................................................Sis Baker and I are staying together!!!!!!!!!!! :D I'm so happy! 6 more weeks!
Sis. Baker is such an example to me, especially of being obedient every minute of every hour of every day. I have never seen such power in the little details. I think the best part of this week was that we really started
to feel like friends, and it's easier to laugh and find joy and energy
throughout the day.
While I was praying this week, I asked
Heavenly Father to show me His vision for me this transfer. I wanted to
know what He expected of me. I don't have the whole answer yet, or maybe
I just don't understand it yet, but I think He wants me to be more
earnest. Just remembering to be focused on my purpose every single
minute, instead of just most of the time. He wants me to be 100%, not
95%. So that's my goal. I want to be the most diligent, never give up,
optimistic, and focused missionary I can be, and I want to fulfill my
purpose, which is inviting others to Christ through those first
principles and ordinances. I don't know exactly how I'm going to do it,
but I'm going to start with my attitude. I want to be a missionary who
never resents being asked for more and never hesitates to go the extra
mile. We read a quote today in a talk that said that what matters most
is what you do when you think you have already done enough. Then I read
Alma 49:30 which says that heed and diligence bring peace and
prosperity. I think that's my focus phrase this week. Heed and
diligence.
I feel like this week Sis. Baker and I hit a wall, where we were working hard, but our goals weren't enough anymore. We weren't growing and stretching anymore. We talked about it and felt like we had reached a point where we needed to take "the next step" or bring it up a notch. We haven't quite figured out how we're going to do that yet, but I know the Lord will show us how if we just commit to trying! We are so ready for the next six weeks and I can't wait to tell you more
next week.
Another highlight of my week was going on an exchange with Sister Weston. It was a much needed exchange, as although Sister Baker is awesome, it's just plain hard to be with someone nonstop 24/7. Sister Weston was one of those people that I met and sort of became instant besties ;) She mentioned Pride and Prejudice and that was it. We just hit it off. Also, she is gluten free, so one of her recent converts that we went to see had gluten free cookies for us! Yaaay!
Ok, and now the moment we've all been waiting for. "And now it's time for Silly Songs with Larry, the part of the show where Larry comes out and sings a silly song."
So we set a date with Paul. When a missionary says, "we set a date," we mean that we have established a date for an investigator to be baptized on. But I kinda forgot that this phrase means something very different to most people. Let me back up. Last Sunday we needed to talk to Bishop Packer about something after church, so we went into his office and waited while all of the primary kids got their candy from his desk for reciting their articles of faith. We were talking about how cute they were and he told us that when they finish memorizing all 13 articles of faith (if you don't know what those are, look at them here: "
http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/articles-of-faith ) he goes and picks them up at their house in his convertible (with the top down, of course) and takes them out for ice cream. :D We thought this sounded like a wonderful reward, so we sent him a text this week asking very nicely if we might have an ice cream outing if we baptize someone in August. He said yes, because Bishop is awesome. So when we were in Ward Council this week (yes you can probably see where this is going) we were all sitting down (how I wish this had been in the Young Single Adult ward, but it was the family ward) and Bishop looked over at us and asked if he would be taking us out for ice cream. So I, without thinking, say, "we have a date!!" very excitedly. Lol. I got a couple funny looks before I realized how totally weird that sounded. Then we all started laughing pretty hard as I explained, "I meant a baptismal date...." I hope you enjoyed this story, because I'm still laughing about it. "This has been Silly Songs with Larry. Tune in next time to hear Larry sing, 'Bob is really angry... I hope he doesn't catch me... it's so hard to run with this sombrero on my head.' "
So yeah! SoCal is the BOMB! I love you all so VERY VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for all of your prayers, they are so appreciated. And we definitely feel the power of your support. I only have one more request to add to the prayer list this week. Please, please remember our beloved prohet, Pres. Monson, his counselors and all of the apostles. If you can, name them specifically. They are under so much pressure and trying so hard to guide us. We truly are preparing for the Lord's return, and it is coming so quickly. I cannot even attempt to describe to you the URGENCY of preparing. Our testimonies are more important than ever. Please, please, fight for them. Do the simple things. Read your scriptures. Pray. Go to church. Revelations 6:17, "Who shall stand?" Isaiah 40:31, "wait upon the Lord." He lives! Have faith! The leaders are praying for Him to return, and He will. Will we be ready? I know sometimes we think it's not important when there is so much else to do, but praying and reading alone AND as a family is of utmost importance! The battle is now, and this is our test. Will we be diligent, or will we let it wait another day? My heart is so full of love for you. Your Heavenly Father loves you and waits with open arms.
I love your letters, and I hope to hear from all of you soon.
Love,
Sister Heather Bambas
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Sister Heather Bambas
California Irvine Mission
heather.bambas@myldsmail.net