Being Green

Hey Buckaroos,

This week we had Zone Conference and the portion that Sis. Abellan and I trained on was Inviting and Re-inviting. We had stations set up around the Square and each districts moved from station to station where they were trained on a different part of the "contacting Model". It went well and the Spirit was there.

We have 5 new investigators! My companion and I have been focusing on making the people we meet on the Square new investigators right then and there because we need more progressing investigators, and the Lord obviously supported us in our righteous desire! It's funny because this week on two different occasions we had lessons on the Square where we both were thinking, "This person could care less about the church" and when we invited to learn more through local missionaries they said yes! Good thing Sister Abellan was covering my face one of the times because my jaw literally dropped and the thought in my head was "you got to be kidding me!" We  really don't know who is prepared and who is the "elect"...but God does so keep doing your part friends and keep inviting. One of the most common misconceptions about a "successful missionary" is that if there is baptisms then you are successful, but the success is in the invite. Along with the idea of not knowing who is prepared, we also don't know who needs love.

 Last night after our investigator lesson got cancelled, this member (a rather demanding one) came up to us and said, "I need a Book of Mormon now!"  I asked if she was a member and she replied she was but that she wanted to give it to this lady she met on her way to Temple Square.  So I asked if we could go with her to deliver the Book of Mormon. She took us to this lady who says she is dying from cancer, she has nothing, her husband just left her, she's lost over 100 lbs in 6 weeks, and all she's ever wanted to do is see this Temple. She's not a member. Anyways, the member asks her if she wants a blessing. I then call Pres. Skanky and he comes up to the Square and we give her a blessing. She is supposed to catch a flight at 9:50 and its 8:45. So Pres. Skanky says he'll drive her but he doesn't feel comfortable with her alone so Sis. Abellan and I go with him.  I was trying really hard to be sympathetic (something I struggle at)  because I know Christ would be....so I tried.  The whole time I was just so skeptical of her whole story, and felt she was just trying to get money. But my mind came back to the experiences we had with inviting and not knowing who is prepared. I don't know if she was telling the truth or not......but it really doesn't matter.  My job as a follower of Christ is to serve all. We don't pick and choose who to serve. We serve everyone. 

Well, I am happy....too happy! I have a theory.....it's called the "greenie theory". God never lets you get too comfortable.  He's always switching things up so that we have that "greenie" experience over and over. I have felt like a greenie in so many phases of my life....high school, college, Rs pres, secretary, Nauvoo, missionary. Whatever it may be....He likes keeping us green!

I am glad I am scheduled to work right after I get home. I don't know what I would do in Fresno anyways....go to the temple? Work at the Bishop storehouse? Run? Sing at funerals (that's what I always end up doing when I come home)?

 Do good. I am truly grateful for good friends and Family. 

-Hurrah For Israel

-Sister Reynders