So I don't have time for a lot this week, but I wanted to tell you about our new investigator, Pretzer. We met her on UCI campus, and when we walked up and started talking to her, she really wasn't interested in talking to us. But we kept on and asked her if she had any religious background, to which she replied that she was an atheist although she had been raised as a Methodist. I couldn't quite think of what to say, but somehow just blurted out, "Why?!" Lol it was kinda funny. But she actually responded really well and told us her story and how she had always felt like she wanted to believe in God, but never knew how. She felt like she "failed the test" of faith. But we got her phone number and she agreed to meet up again.
This week when we met up on campus we found a quiet table to sit at and we had a lot of fun talking to Pretzer and getting to know her. We had planned to share the Restoration, but somehow ended up sharing the Book of Mormon with her. She just sincerely wanted to know how to have faith, so we shared Alma 32, and she was super excited to read on her own. We both felt the Spirit prompt us so strongly to talk about the Book of Mormon. We were so happy coming out of that lesson :) There is never a happier moment on the mission than when you know you followed a prompting and you see miracles because of it. I must admit I was a little worried about skipping right to the Book of Mormon since she grew up Methodist, but I almost laughed of happiness when she interrupted our introduction with "You have another Bible? Cool!!" It was a really good day.
We also had another miracle moment with the Book of Mormon this week. We hadn't heard from our investigator, Hilda, in a couple weeks other than to reply that she was busy and couldn't meet. But this week she all the sudden wanted to get together and have a lesson, and we were thrilled! We met her on campus and asked if she had been reading any on her own because we had taught the Book of Mormon last time, and she had seemed very apprehensive but had agreed to try. She said she had read! She had read on her own and felt peaceful and happy, and that's why she wanted to learn more. I know the Book of Mormon is true, that it is a companion to the Bible, that it is the word of God, and that it brings peace and happiness. I am so grateful for its guidance and the miracles it brings in our lives.
My scripture this week is Matthew 4:23! "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people which believed on his name."
I know that Christ has the power to heal us. He can heal any sickness, any disease, any heartache or pain or suffering. He knows how we feel, and if we come to Him then He can give us strength, peace, and comfort.
I love y'all so very much! Make it a good one!
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Sister Heather Bambas
California Irvine Mission
heather.bambas@myldsmail.net