Hey, everyone! Transfer 2 has almost come
to an end in the mission field, which means I am almost done with
training! I don't know if that's a good thing, or a VERY BAD thing, but
in 3 days we'll find out! I don't know if I'll be moving areas or not,
so I'll keep you all posted. As far as good news, we have another
baptism on Saturday,
for a 9 year old named Jaddy! Her grandfather was baptized about 2
weeks before I got to the field, and now his whole family is
investigating the church! He is such an amazing man, with such a strong
testimony, and he has set such a good example for his family! So Jaddy
will be the first one to get baptized after him!
As
far as crazy stories this week, on Tuesday, we met with an investigator
who loves to feed missionaries, and we sat down with him and ate like
400 dumplings. For reals... It might have only been 80, but after the
first 20, you stop counting. We were so stuffed. But after that, we went
to a park nearby to do our studies, and an elderly lady came up to us
and asked if we were missionaries. We told her yes, and she told us she
had met with missionaries before, and wanted to meet with us again! It
was amazing! And then, we went and met with Jaddy, and after that,
ANOTHER man came up to us and asked us about where our church was and
what time it was. It was so many miracles! We were truly so blessed!
This Saturday,
we had the opportunity to sit down and share the Restoration with the
woman that found us at the park, and I just love the message of the
Restoration. To know that I have a Heavenly Father, that He loves me,
and that I am His son, gives me so much peace. He has given me a family
to help me grow and learn, and to help each other improve. God has given
us prophets, so we can know His plan for us, and how can we be happy in
this life. I know that God gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to teach us, and
to sacrifice so that all of us have the opportunity to overcome guilt
and pain. I know that the Gospel was lost, that Christ was crucified,
and His apostles killed, but that because God, our Father, truly loves
us, when the time was right, he again called a prophet, to lead Jesus
Christ's church, and help us in our journey back home to our Father in
Heaven. I know that through Joseph Smith, his prophet, Heavenly Father
translated the Book of Mormon, and gave us yet another witness of
Christ, of His calling as our Savior and Redeemer, and provided us a way
to learn His Gospel. I know that we live in a world full of disasters,
of heartbreak, and of sadness, and although we may try our best,
sometimes we don't know where we can find peace, where we can find true
happiness. But the gospel stands as a light, not as an emotional crutch,
not as something just to make us feel good, but as truth. The Gospel is
full of hope, because it is full of truth. And I know the gospel is
true. I know that God knows me, He loves me, more than I can possibly
imagine, and He wants me to be happy. He has given me a way to be happy,
and a way to overcome the things that make me sad. I know this church
is true, that this is God's church on the Earth. I know it because I
have asked Him myself, and through study and prayer, and testing my
faith, I have received an answer. And I know so many others have done
the same thing. I know that whenever we have a question, if we are
willing to ask God, with real intent to act on the answer we are given,
He will give us an answer, and bring us to the light.
I love you all, and I know that Heavenly Father loves you, too.
Love,
Elder Shope
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