Well hello there everyone! How are all you this week. I hope that you are getting my e-mails because my account has been going crazy lately so if anyone could respond as soon as they get this, that would be much appreciated!
This last week was a good growing experience for everyone here in the Blue Lake Ward; many trials have hit the four of us and have really tried each one of us very mentally, but I think that we were all able to grow spiritually from these experiences. We have truly grown together in the Spirit. I think this past week was also the first real taste that I had of going home. I had my last zone conference, which was a little weird because I am so used to seeing all my fellow missionaries going and bearing their final testimony and this time it was my turn. It just feels like yesterday I was arriving in a small town in eastern Oregon to begin this edifying journey down the Columbia River and back again. But the work goes on one foot in front of the other as there are still hundreds of thousands of people that I see everyday that have not the truth because they simply know not where to find it. Our efforts are also increasing among those who were once a part of our fold and now find themselves apart of the Church of God. Funny how we let the littlest details dictate the major events of our lives, but as President Monson has declared, "Decisions determine our destiny."
This week we were given a referral to visit a newly wed couple in the northern parts of our area. When we knocked at their door, we were received warmly as we exchanged pleasantries. As we talked it became apparent that this young husband was very well schooled in both mechanical engineering and the word of God (according to the interpretations of the Bible). We asked if we could simply share a message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and about the amazing events that have lead to the restoration of this gospel in our modern days. He accepted on the premise of asking a few questions before we got started. He came at us with all the intellect of his worldly mind and when that seemed to fail he began asking us questions originating in his Christian past. As boldly as we could and with as much love as we could muster for this man we answered every question and left every answer with an invitation to follow what James directs which is to ask God for himself. Unfortunately he declined, even so much as to the denying of the Book of Mormon once he had held it in his hands. I thought of all the missionaries in the Book of Mormon and Bible who had the message that they bore rejected, and much more violently than the encounter that we had with this man. My heart went out to him as he closed his door and his heart to this wonderful message. However, I know that this man was left a better man. He never rose above frustration, and had questions to ponder. How long he may ponder, I will never know, but pondering is what this gentleman (and in extension what we all must do) to find spiritual truth that only God can give.
I love you all and pray for you more!
Love,
Elder Hamblin
No comments:
Post a Comment