Gabriel

Hello!

Another fantastic week here in the California, Long Beach mission!

This week we got to meet with one of our new investigators, Gabriel, every day! He is progressing really, really well! At first when we were teaching him, it seemed like he might be mostly looking into it to see why his sister, Maria, left the Catholic Church. We have been really blessed to see his heart be softened almost overnight. He knows this is the right time for him and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can help him make the changes he wants to make in his life. He's really amazing and I am so happy that Heavenly Father is letting me be a part of his conversion process.

This week we also had a sad thing happen; we had to stop seeing one of our investigators. This person has been meeting with missionaries for a long time and has told us that she doesn't want to convert and she doesn't want to change her life, she just likes to have us over. It's probably one of the hardest things I have had to do on my mission; drop someone I love. Our purpose as missionaries is to "teach repentance and baptize converts." We have to make sure that everything we do is working towards that purpose, although it might inconvenience us or make us uncomfortable, we're not here for us. We're here to "find those that will receive [us]." Some people just aren't ready when we think they should be, and that's fine because God knows when their time will come. We have to keep loving them and nurturing the seed that has been planted until it is their time. There's a scripture that talks about "continuing to minister"... but I don’t remember where it is, sorry! But anyways, don't give up just because it’s not someone’s time yet. Concentrate your efforts on those who are, but don't forget about the other guys! You never know when it'll be their turn!

We also did some service at this museum of Westminster. We sorted and displayed some hundred year old dolls, so that was pretty fun!

We also got to see 2 investigators we haven't been able to meet with for a couple of weeks! Karie has been sick, but her baptism is coming up soon, so we met with her at her home and had our district leader come over and give her a blessing. She was very thankful and she loved getting her "very first blessing!" We also got to see a 17 year old girl we're teaching named Alisa. She also hasn't been feeling well and has been in the hospital! We're really glad she is doing better and will hopefully be seeing her more.

We are seriously so busy all the time!! We have probably about 4 set appointments a day or more, so we're always keeping ourselves busy and the time is flying!!! I can't believe February is basically over already!

We were super blessed to have 3 investigators at church yesterday! One was Gabriel, and his sister Maria came! She hasn't been in a little while but she has been taking the lessons again with Gabriel and she said it has really helped her remember what she’s supposed to be doing! Also Kerry and Mandy came; they are 10 and 12 and really sweet. It was good to have them sit with one of the girls of the ward their age so that they could make a friend and feel more comfortable next time.

I love this place, I love this work, I love the Gospel. I never have been happier than I am now, doing what Heavenly Father wants me to do. It's kinda funny how we always look for happiness in other things, forgetting that the real and only source of joy is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope I never forget that.

I love you!!   Sister Holt

Sister Sherksnas and Sister Holt