Just Do It (5/2)

Another week... they just keep rushing by!

Funny experience of the week: We were going to visit an investigator and when we got to her home there were a bunch of men out front (drinking, of course). We didn't get out of the car immediately because we had a few phone calls to make... so, we did that, and as we waited most of the men began to leave. When we finally went to talk to them, we found out that they had all left because they thought we were the immigration police. Oops! I felt bad that the situation is that horrible that everyone is so scared of being deported. But on the other hand, really? We're two 22 year old girls in less than official clothing (except for our badges, I guess). Anyway, I laughed pretty hard, and just told them that we weren't from immigration, but we had still been sent there... by God. :)

I've been thinking about commitments this week... wondering HOW in the world to get people more committed to the gospel. In every teaching situation (lesson, or street contact) we always leave people with an invitation to act on our words - an action that will help them come closer to Christ.

However, rarely do they seem to follow through on their promises. It seems we are forever committing people to do the same three things - read the Book of Mormon, pray, and come to church (they are learning the primary answers - the most important basics!!). Anyway, it reminds me of when I taught piano lessons, and if the children hadn't practiced their songs we couldn't move on to the next one. Until we master the basics we can not progress to the more difficult (yet more enjoyable) challenges (and blessings that come with them).

Our investigators are more than aware of the commitments we leave. Recently we were teaching our investigators Ixchel and Rodrigo about the importance of the Book of Mormon and as we finished I said, "Now, I have an important question." Ixchel responded before I even got it out and said... "I know what you're going to ask... will we read?" That actually isn't what I was about to ask (at least at that moment) but I was so pleased that they understood the importance of acting on the things we have been teaching them. Similarly, every time we teach Lionel and Connie we ask them, "So what are you going to do..." Lionel always grins, and it seems no matter what the lesson is on he says "I know, I know! We need to get married, and get baptized!" Yep.

So, let's be honest, we all KNOW the things we need to be doing, but the question is, are we committed enough to be DOING them? And really, what is stopping us? Many of our investigators say they don't have time to read the Book of Mormon, etc. because they are so stressed and busy with day-to-day life. I realized this week if we look at these things as more "To-do's" on our giant list of accomplishments, it's easy to push them to the bottom because we can't always see the immediate effects of doing them.

Really though, these are the things that need to be at the top of our list! If we are going to procrastinate things to do, this is what we should be doing it with... I don't know if that made sense... but what I'm trying to say is if we feel too stressed to read or pray, that is the exact moment that we need to do it! What a wonderful gift it is to have these stress-relieving tools that make our lives so much easier! To be able to take 10 minutes and forget about all of our concerns and stress, and feel the peace of the gospel. People pay for prescription drugs, massages, and expensive vacations for this kind of peace, but I can't think of anything better that the gospel - because the peace is permanent!

And in one of those paradoxes of life, we are always blessed with more patience and calmness as we move on to our other responsibilities... and somehow we have MORE time in the day to be able to accomplish the rest of our "to-do's". I know that as we put the Lord first, literally everything else falls into place. He will not let us fail, so let us not fail him. Commit yourself to putting the Lord on the top of you list, and then do it! You will feel a difference in your stress level, and in your ability to do things you need to this week.

Love you all,

Hermana Richelle Ouellette