9.26.16 Seven Contacts with the Church

They say it usually takes 7 contacts with the church before someone starts investigating. As I've talked with members about their conversion they can usually look back and see several times when they were being prepared to receive this message. It has been so cool to see it first hand as a missionary and how the Lord is preparing so many people. Last transfer sister Hyer and I received a referral from a member in the ward who then sent us to their neighbors who had just moved in.

Danielle and Linda were so prepared for the day we met them. They had just moved in and had some family things that left them with lots of questions. After our first lesson with them though they had a lot of things come up and weren't available to meet for a good three weeks. We were trying to decide what to do because they were still interested they just have been really busy. We decided we would just drop by one day with some cookies, because you can't say no to cookies.  It was incredible!

We went by and Linda was home! She was so happy to see us and invited us right in. We asked her if she had any questions because she has been reading the Book of Mormon every day with her mom Danielle. She told us how her mom’s co-worker had talked about a King Benjamin and how they should read about him. It was perfect because it lead us right in to talking about general conference and how it's the time when we get to hear from the prophet and the apostles. Then at the end she said how she planned on reading that chapter and that she wanted to watch conference!

She pretty much led the lesson it was so incredible!! Then yesterday we had an awesome lesson with her mom Danielle.  It has been so powerful to see how the Lord has truly prepared her and her daughter for this time to learn about the gospel. She told us how someone she works with( the guy that invited them to read about King Benjamin) is a member of the church and how she would always ask him questions. I have no doubt in my mind that this was one of the many ways the Lord had prepared her through her 7 contacts.

I know that people are truly being prepared all around us to receive the gospel. Whether they are ready to start taking the lessons now or maybe just read the Book of Mormon. I know that Heavenly Father knows what each of these people need and when they are prepared to receive it.

The other day we were driving down the road that I have probably been down over 50 times. I saw this house on the corner of the street and it reminded me of a thought that had come  in my head the other day. I looked over at Sister O'Donnal and I said I think we should stop at that house. She said I was thinking the same thing! We met Barbara and Tanisha they are excited to read the book of Mormon and they said we could come back this Friday! I am so excited to see all the ways they have been prepared. Who knows maybe right now they are just ready for the Book of Mormon or maybe they are ready to take the lessons and prepare for baptism. It was such a cool experience and I know that it was the Lord guiding us. Of all the times we had gone down that road it was that day that we felt we should stop.

On Friday, Sister O'Donnal was really sick. I wasn't sure what I should do because we had a couple of appointments but they could be moved if we really needed them to. I prayed and prayed to know what to do and I felt so much peace as I realized I know what to do. I followed the schedule and continually prayed for guidance. I was really nervous and and not sure how it would all work out but I saw as I kept moving forward I felt overwhelming peace. Many times we can't see what our Heavenly Father has planned but he asks us to trust that he will prepare a way. As the day went on, I kept preparing for our lessons and working on contacting our investigators for the day. When the time rolled around for our appointment it all was worked out.

Our incredible Sister Training Leaders came and helped us and then I got the chance to go out with one of the young woman in the ward. We had a great dinner with one of the less-active members and her daughter who isn't a member.   As we shared the message, the daughter asked a lot of great questions. The member said she had been trying to talk to her about it for years but it wasn't until that day that she was open to talking about it. I am so grateful we got the chance to talk with her. She even said we could come back this week and talk with her some more. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for preparing a way for us to accomplish all that we needed to do that day, I know I couldn't have done it without him.

I loved the Woman's Broadcast on Saturday! It is so powerful to see all the woman of the church gather together. I don't know if I could pick a favorite talk.  I loved each of them and feel like they all flowed together to make a strong point of how we set an example of what we believe. I was reading an article this week that said "What e'er thou art act well they part.”   We are each daughters of our Heavenly Father and we have such an incredible potential. As we gain the "bed rock understanding of the doctrine of Christ," we can understand more fully all that our Heavenly Father has in store for us. 

Saturday we got to go to the temple Visitor’s Center with our friend Aaron, who is preparing to be baptized. It was so awesome to have the chance to explain that incredible potential to him and how the temple helps us receive all of the blessing our Father has in store for us. It was such a nice day and so we walked around the temple grounds and talked about all the things our Heavenly Father has blessed us with. 

It was a really cool experience and taught me a lot about working with kids and helping them understand the blessings of the gospel. I know that this gospel is true and that we each have an incredible potential to become what our Heavenly Father wants us to be. I hope you all enjoy conference And have a great week!

Love, Sister Goudy

Here are some pictures from our trip to the temple: It takes about an hour and a half to get there.

Last night Sister Price made us Dutch babies for dinner. Yum