"What is that?" Elder Nelson asked his companion, Elder Pradhan, as they stared into the stormy Okanagan sky. An orange light descended from the clouds. Growing as it came closer towards them...
"Run!" Elder Pradhan yelled, realizing what it was. The two leaped out of the way, and an explosion of fire happened right where they stood. The object that had descended from the sky had landed. In the smoke and rubble stood a mysterious figure. His MEC shoulder bag equipped with extreme proselyting equipment glimmered from the heat of the blast. He slowly turned his head toward them, the hiss of smoke and the crackle of fire was the only noise heard for a mile.
The elders were stunned. "Who...who are you?" Elder Nelson managed to croak as he crawled away in fear.
The mysterious man smiled coldly. "Stock. Elder Stock."
Alright, alright, this is getting out of hand....I just went on an exchange this week. I thought it would be cooler if I phrased it like that. Instead, it exposed my weirdness.
Anyways, this week was a blast! So, we have taught some incredible lessons in the last week. Seriously, the Okanagan is so fun! I love being a missionary. It just simply never gets old. We taught a man named Brendon, and during the lesson, my inspired companion Elder Scully just laid out the doctrine of God being our loving Heavenly Father so beautifully and the Spirit was so strong! The Spirit truly is the teacher! Brendon wants to be baptized, now, and is loving what he is learning.
We taught a woman named Debbie who seriously has been so prepared by God to receive the restored gospel. She told us that she really wants to come closer to Jesus Christ in her life and feels that the Book of Mormon can do that, and is willing to try it out. Golden!
We also found a Russian family that we are teaching now. So, that's incredible. Go ye therefore and teach all nations? Check!
On Sunday, I came up to Salmon Arm to work with and learn from the elders up here in this prime area. We have seen so many miracles! We decided to start calling and texting everyone we could who was saved in their phone or in the area book, and to just see if we couldn't drop by and visit some people and start teaching more! As a result, Heavenly Father blessed us with four new people to teach in that one day. It was insane!
We did some service for a woman named Dorothy, and taught her about the Book of Mormon and how it can build her faith in Christ. We'll be seeing her again soon. We tracted into a man named Justin who has a huge collection of action figures and movies and video games and is a super fanboy of King Kong... It was a blast getting to know him and to be able to help him understand the message of the Restoration of the gospel. He wants to continue to learn with us!
We also met a man named John out in downtown Salmon Arm. He has been struggling in his life and has done some church hopping, but he just isn't sure where to go. He was interested in meeting with us, and once he found out that there are apostles today led by Jesus Christ just like in the past, he was hooked! And he found the principle of repentance so hopeful. He is praying about the Book of Mormon, and we are going to see him Thursday!
But the miracle of the day came as we felt prompted to go and drop by a less active member of the ward. We went by her home, and her daughter informed us that she wasn't available to meet up. So, instead of running away like chickens with our heads cut off, we decided to find the reason why God had sent us to that area. We started walking toward an apartment complex, and began knocking on its doors. No one was home, and it didn't feel quite right. But we looked behind us and felt strongly that we should knock on the left side of the complex. As we did, we were led to a woman named Nan. She immediately wanted us to teach her, and as we listened to her concerns in life and what she needed and wanted to do. As we did, the Spirit gave us what to say. We testified to her that God is her loving Heavenly Father. That He weeps with her when she suffers and is rejoicing when she does what is right. That we as missionaries were His messengers. That He sent us to her to help her feel of His love. The Spirit testified of that truth so powerfully. She is meeting with us tomorrow to learn how she can come closer to Heavenly Father through His restored gospel.
I'm just astounded that missionary work is so epic. As we do the Lord's work in His way, He will help to see His success. And that is bringing His children unto Him. Helping them to experience His love.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives and loves each and every one of us. "He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for He loveth the world, even that He layeth down His own life that He may draw all men unto Him. Wherefore, He commandeth none that they shall not partake of His salvation..." (2 Nephi 26:24). I know that this is true. That everything He does is for us. They, our Father and His Son, love us. This is Their work. And all They ask of us is to come unto Them and partake of salvation. As missionaries, we come unto Christ, receive His strength and increase in our faith in Him so we can go and do the same to others.
Be evidence of God's love to someone else this week. The opportunities are there, and He will guide you. You just have to say, "Show me where to go." I know that this Church and this Work are true and everlasting with every fibre of my being. The Restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith is true. The Book of Mormon will guide you to Christ. Can't wait for another great week!!!
Until next time,
Elder Stock
The baptism of Merlina West out in Kamloops! She is so solid!!!
Canadian hockey legends collection... That's just impressive...
Me and my boys, Elder Nelson and Elder Pradhan eatin' like kings at a fancy place called Bradbury's... Yum!
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