So this has been fantastic week! I would have to say that it all came at the end of the week though. The beginning was more of a drought. Lots of walking and talking and just trying to follow the spirit so closely! Wellllll...it was all worth it! It was an awesome zone conference this past week and I learned a lot from it. One of the questions that really struck me, that really dug deep into me was "Why did I come out?" and "Why am I still out here?" Really just pierced straight into me and I reflected upon it again and again after zone conference. It was the following day that I got my answer. As we were driving away from our exchanges, I don’t entirely remember the entire conversation with Elder Hsu, something along the lines of what we learned from the exchange. Really ended up on leading to Jesus Christ. Well, I made the remark that that was the reason why we were out here and why we wear his name on our chest. Well the spirit just struck me hard when I said that!
Sunday, I would have to say, was the greatest day we had this past week! This lady named Lisa, that we had only been able to meet with once came to church! She absolutely LOVED IT! She was only able to stay the first hour, but she said, in a very matter of fact way, that she was going to be here next week and try to stay the whole time! God is just so good! She wants to change! Preceding the actual sacrament meeting, we explained a couple things to her, and really going into the sacrament and how it is a renewal of our baptismal covenants! Well, she was really paying attention because she leaned over and whispered to me while the sacrament was being passed and asked, "Can I eat the bread and water even though I have not been baptized?" I of course happily said yes! She has such a great desire to find that greater light in her life! We will be passing her off to the sisters this coming week! No doubts about it, it may take some time because of smoking, but she will get baptized!
That sacrament meeting was honestly the best. As I was sitting next to Lisa, I looked up and saw Matthew Blanks, (the less active that we have been working with), get up and bless the sacrament! You know what is even better?!? HIS HOMETEACHER WAS STANDING NEXT TO HIM!!! It was so good! He is doing great! We have been able to set up family home evenings with him and his home teacher and he absolutely loves it! God is just so good!
Another great thing I learned this past week was the 7 minute lessons! We had a great lesson with a member this past weekend, and Elder Hsu is just so inspired! We have been going around and committing all of our members to memorize the first vision. Well it has gone so well! No better way to bring the spirit into a member’s home than to commit them to memorize the most crucial turning point in history!
All in all I am doing great! This past week was a game changer for me! A combination of zone conference, people coming to church, and a less active that has turned his life around has brought a brighter light into my life! I just have to carry it on throughout the rest of my mission!
Sure love and miss yall!
Love
Elder McCown
