Zone conference was this week and let's just say President Nakken is an inspired man. He is really pushing us as a mission to "Own the hours from 6-9". The missionaries over the past years have been slowly easing into in this trap where they think it's just not good to proselyte when these later hours come. I call it "PPT"..."Prime Proselytin' Time” It's when Satan tempts us that somehow that "it's too late" or "you don't want to bother their family time”, when in reality it’s just the opposite. People are home, families are together, and the gospel can help them.
We had two of our Investigators at church with us yesteryday along with several LA's. It was a great sacrament meeting followed up by a wonderful Gospel Principles class.
I have seen the difference in the people I have worked with over the course of my mission, of the spiritual power that comes when they consistently attend church, compared to those who fail to keep this commitment. It acts as a wonderul gauge of who is ready and who is not ready to take that step. One of the Investigators who came was Nikki Heart. She's 13. Her mom is a returning LA and is absolutely amazing. I love the Harts so much. They have developed a really strong bond with the Elders over the last couple of months. Troy is the Dad who little by little you can tell the spirit has just been working on. He is softer and softer every time we stop by. It is amazing to see the enabling and purifying power of the Savior leave it's mark on this family. Justin is Nikki's older brother who is about 16 who we are also teaching. He's not quite there with his commitment level but is almost! He is such a smart and bright kid who has so much potential.
Last night at about 7:45pm we pulled into our parking stall to go in and study to finish off the night. (we were unable to do any studies all day to due how busy we were). I put the car in park, grabbed the mile log book from my companion and then without hesitation I just looked at him and said: " We need to Visit the Harts”. He said to me: "I was thinking the same thing." Without thinking twice he got out, backed me out and off we went…excited, nervous, ready, not ready:), and curious as to why were going over there. As we pulled up we said a prayer. We just happened to still have 3 talks we were planning on giving them later, in the car with us. I snagged those after we said a prayer and we were at their door. The whole family was home. We were there for about 45 minutes and we answered several of their deeper questions regarding the Plan of Salvation. The Spirit was there, and it was a wonderful experience. Everyone was just smiling, and I couldn't help but think that God was too. Later that night Sister Hart texted us and said: "Glad you came by. I was hoping you would...Coincidence?” That gave me the chills. We gave them each their own copy of the talk and they all committed to read them by the next time we meet which will be this Wednesday.
I bear testimony of the reality of Divine Intervention…that through his missionaries God brings to pass his eternal purposes. But it make his job awfully hard to do that if we don't own 6-9! The Divine Companionship is real, and as we "facilitate" we are then able to “participate" in the work of Salvation. I know that this is true.
Love, Elder Judd
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