Familia
y Amigos :)
Well. There were
tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings a couple days this week. Thankfully,
we didn't get sucked up in a tornado or transferred to Oz.
Each week we have
about 2 hours of Family History time. We go to the library and using a
combination of FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com we have the chance to
learn more about our ancestors and make sure that the temple work is being done
for those who didn't have a chance to hear the Gospel and participate in saving
ordinances, like baptism, here on earth. I have been finding names and linking
people from censuses like crazy!! I invite you all to learn more about those
who have given so much for you to be here :)
On Wednesday when there were all the flood/tornado/thunderstorm warnings, we
were stuck inside for most of the day. We had quite the entertaining time
decorating Easter eggs! Sister Welch, one of the other sisters who lives with
Hermana Ewell and I, drew all of us on one of the eggs and it actually turned
out pretty cute!
ZONE CONFERENCE
Oh goodness, I can't even begin to say how much I loved the multi-zone
conference we had with President Foote! Because of the crazy weather warnings
our zone conference combined with 5 other zones. So it was AWESOME :) I got to
see a lot of familiar faces and meet the Elder Draper that everyone thinks I'm
related to. Turns out, we think we are 3rd or 4th cousins.
There are so many
things that clamor for our attention. Sports, shopping, hobbies, the news,
work, school, the list goes on. But it is absolutely essential for us to be
focused on Christ. 100%, 24/7, simply and plainly choosing to follow and learn
of Him. Our loving Savior hasn't moved on to something more important, He
remains focused on us. Let's do the same.
I was asked to play
the piano for a member in our Branch whose son was getting baptized. Dathen
just turned 8 and he is quite the ball of energy. It was so special getting to
see him smiling so big as he chose to take upon himself the name of Christ and
covenant to follow Him. He gave me the tightest hug afterwards to tell me
thanks for playing the piano. Made me so happy :)
Before church started
we spent about an hour and a half going over the ENTIRE 16 page Branch roster
to divide up the names of Less Active Members and unknown people so we can
figure out who they are and fellowship them on their journey to come back to
church. Highly productive meeting with a ton of things to do :)
In Sacrament meeting
there were so many people we didn't recognize! People had come to investigate
the church and less active members had shown up! One of those who had come to
learn more got up and went to the pulpit during the Testimony part of the meeting.
He introduced himself and expressed his knowledge of God and his interest in
learning more about the restored Gospel! Sister Ewell and I just sat there
grinning from ear to ear (we were in the choir seats because I play the piano
for the meeting and Sister Ewell leads the music) and the Elders sitting in the
congregation were pretty excited to meet with him after too. We gave him a Book
of Mormon in Spanish and English and we are excited to help him learn more!!
Also, a woman who hadn't been to church in ten years showed up! Diann has blue hair and is from
Guatemala---basically the sweetest human ever. We have an appointment with her
later this week to get to know her and her story better. My heart was so happy
throughout all of church. Hearing the sweetly bold testimonies of our dear
members and feeling the Spirit testify of the truthfulness of their words as
they spoke of their Savior and God's love for us.
Stephanie Q (a less
active member) finally wasn't way busy and had us over! Her little boy Bradley
made faces throughout the visit and wouldn't talk to us because he had just
woken up. His grumpy scowl was so cute :) The lesson with her was a review of
the Restoration and hearing her conversion story was powerful. Stephanie is the
sweetest :)
Sidenote: to keep
Spanish fun, because sometimes I feel totally helpless and like I will never
learn this language, we do Spanish tongue twisters! If you have a random bit of
time that you don't know what to do with... look up some and try em out :)
I love you all. So
much. I pray for you and hope that each are doing well.
Yo se que Jesucristo
vive. Que El es mi Salvador y por medio de Su gran sacrificio expiatorio,
podemos ser limpios y regresar a nuestro Padre Celestial.
Con Amor,
Hermana Draper
No comments:
Post a Comment