Week 13:Service Brings Smiles

This past week we were able to have Thanksgiving dinner with two different families (at least one from each ward offered to let us be a part of their family for the night and it was super sweet), so it was fun being with their families and, though it may have seemed like a little thing to them, it was a big service to us to not have to be alone on Thanksgiving, and really showed how loving and Christlike their hearts are. 

We were also able to reach out and give some treats to a woman who is in-active (who we found while tracting one day, as she doesn't have or want to have her records moved here, but she still associates herself with the church and considers herself a member- who we've just been being friendly to and occasionally pass by her house and talk to her so she isn't lonely and knows we, the Church, and her Heavenly Father still care about her and that she isn't forgotten) and it's cool to see how gradually, by these small and simple acts of service and showing our love for her, her heart is slowly softening to be more open to accepting that love. 

Her next door neighbor, Dusti, is also one of our investigators on baptismal date, and her interest was sparked with the church earlier this year as her husband was in a near-death car accident and her family was (and still is) going through some other trials on top of that, and then through it all her neighbors, who are members of the church, constantly reached out to help them in their time of need. She saw the light of Christ within them as they served her and her family, and because of it, she's gained a desire to learn more about the Church and to be baptized. (Mosiah 18) 

Also, though our hours proselyting this week were fewer due to Thanksgiving, were able to find and meet three different less-active members who we've been trying to get in contact with for a while now, and each one of them set up times for us to come back and meet with them again! It was cool to see the Lord's hand in our planning so we could be at the right places at the right times to meet and uplift who He knows needs it most and whose hearts are prepared for us to help.

This year's Christmas initiative is Light the World, and I encourage you all to take part in it either alone or with your friends and/or families, and just find simple ways to serve the people God put around you every day! He knows that you have the ability to help them in ways others can't, so keep your eyes open for those who are in need around you and always be willing to give, just as Jesus did. See more about "Light the World" on mormon.org 

You can be His hands on the earth to uplift all of His children, and you do so by letting your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. (Matt 5:16)

Let your lights shine, and let others feel His love through you!

I love you all, and Jesus loves you,

Sister Wilcox