Roping - March 10

So this week I learned how to rope... like with a rope, and a horse, and a steer. Ok, so actually there was no steer and the horse was a 2 foot tall stuffed animal, but I really did learn how to "Hook 'Em". For district meeting (which we have every Monday morning) we compared learning how to listen to the Spirit to learning how to rope. Anyway, one of the Elders in our district is a real-live rodeo cowboy, so he showed us all how it was done, and for our "Role Play" we listened to his instruction and tried to do it ourselves. It was pretty hilarious in a skirt and jacket, but I actually roped the horse on the second try! I'm considering a change of career plans when I get home....

Anyway, the object lesson was a pretty good one: Just like we need specific equipment, and practice, and a good coach to learn how to rope, (or do anything) the same goes for learning how to communicate with the Spirit. We need equipment (ie. scriptures), practice, and a good coach (Heavenly Father, a prophet, etc) to help us learn how to effectively follow the Spirit. Learning anything new is going to be a process, but if we keep trying we will improve, and always succeed in the end. It is so important to follow the promptings of the Spirit, especially as a missionary because Heavenly Father knows the needs of the people, and if we are in tune he can communicate them to us.

We had a really good lesson last night with our investigators Consuelo and Oswaldo. They have to work every Sunday (like just about every other Hispanic in the world it seems like) so they haven't been able to come to church. We wanted them to come and meet people and experience the Spirit that is there, so we invited them on a Tuesday night when a good portion of the ward is there for youth activities. Last night there was a stake volleyball tournament going on so there were TONS of people there. They met the Stake President, the Bishop, and several ward members. We were able to give them a tour of the building, and show them the baptismal font, and even had our Bishop explain a little bit about the baptismal covenant. We then went into the chapel, and there was a group of 3 young girls practicing a musical number, so the Spirit was so strong right as soon as we walked in. We had a short lesson there, and talked about the blessings of the gospel in our lives. We are praying really hard for them to find a way to change their schedule at work so they can come, but in the meantime they agreed that it would be a really good idea for their kids (ages 13 and 6) to still attend with a member family. Oswaldo especially has lots of faith, and sincere desires to be able to attend, so now we just have to have patience, hope and rely on the Lord.

I know that seems hard to do, and sometimes impossible, but I really do have such a strong testimony that if we put God first and put everything in the Lord's hands it will ALWAYS work out. As long as we align our will with God's we will receive the blessings we're praying for according to our own faith and obedience. I pray every day for more faith, patience, and humility to rely on the Lord, and I am seeing myself slowly grow in each of these areas. I know that if we ask, we will be blessed with these attributes of Christ, but that we need to be willing to do our part too. As we learn these qualities (over time and with the right equipment, practice and a good coach) we become better children, parents, friends, and citizens with more potential and opportunity to bless the lives of others. I pray for each of you and hope that you can find a way to nurture these qualities in your own lives.

Much love,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette