June 15, 2015
Dear Everyone,
This week has been a little bit hard, but I have loved seeing people changed!
My wonderful companion, Sister Vere, and I were able to teach a young boy who has inactive parents. Before I go any furthur, I would like to flash back to when we first them.
My companion at the time, Sister Ikimau, and I were tracting in this neighborhood. As we were walking we saw this man outside, across the road, smoking. I will be honest, the thoughts in my head were, "Oh, that guy looks scary! He's not going to want to talk to us!" But then Sister Ikimau and I quietly talked with each other about whether or not to talk to him. We went anyway! We told each other, "Let's just go talk to him!" We crossed the road and the whole time, the man has been watching us. We smiled and greet ourselves to him. He had a rugged look on his face, but I could feel something. After we got to know him, we asked inspired questions. His name is Kelley. He left the Church when he was seventeen. Never went back since. We asked him if we could come back, he said, "You can come back, but don't talk about Church with us."
After a few times, Sister Ikimau and I would go back. We would some how sqeeze a few things that talked about the Atonement, Family, or committing them to take the lessons. I remember when Sister Ikimau was tearing up as Kelley and his wife, Pat, talked. After the lessons, I asked Sister Ikimau if everything was okay. She said, "Sister, as he was talking, I could just imagine I was in the Savior's place. Just listening to them share their experiences. . ."
Sister Ikimau and I asked Kelley and Pat, "Would your kids like to take the lessons?" Kelley would respond, "Only if they want to, but we're not going to force them into it."
We didn't stop. One time we were walking and we saw their daughter, Barbara, outside in her hoodie. We talked with Barbara for a while. She told us that one of her friend have just passed away. Sister Ikimau and I talked with her about the Plan of Salvation. We gave her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet.
After trying to catch them home for a few weeks, Sister Ikimau left Pocatello.
A couple days after transfer, Sister Vere and I went with a member to their home. We had a chat with them for a few minutes. Their nine years old, soon to be ten this week, son came out and stood on the porch with us. His name is Joe. I watched Joe for a little while, then I looked at Pat. I asked her, "Pat, you said that if your kids wanted to, you'd let them take some lessons?" She nods her head. Then I asked both Kelley and Pat, "Would you support them in it if they did?" They both said, "Yes." Then I asked if it was okay if I asked Joe. I turned to Joe, "Joe, would you like to take lessons?" He was excited and he said, "YES! YES! YES!" His parents asked us, "Could you explain what it is to him?" Sister Vere and I briefly explained what we teach and talked about baptism. We extended a Baptismal invite, then we set up a return appointment.
I could remember leaving that home feeling so happy and overjoyed! Ever since that day, Sister Vere and I prayed and prayed and PRAYED for Joe and his Family! He literally wasn't off our mind!
That next week we taught the first lessons. We begin briefly the "How to begin Teaching" bullet points. We taught the Restoration and it was amazing! The Spirit was there, Joe asked A LOT of questions about the Priesthood! At the end of the lesson we committed him to read the Book of Mormon, to start out reading one verse a day. Then his Mom, who was in the lesson with us, started to tell us that she wants to start coming back to Church! For the first time, she admit that she was a member of the Church! We invited them to Chruch, Pat said, "Once when I get done with some school work, I would love to come!" Which will be this upcoming week. We invited Joe, he said, "No thank you." He may wants to come with his whole Family, which is wonderful!
We set up a return appointment for the next week.
Again, since we left their home. Sister Vere and I prayed everyday - all day for the Family!
That next week we had our second lesson. We did some follow ups and open with a prayer.
We taught the Plan of Salvation. Joe has a little short-term attention, but as we were teaching him, I notice that he was literally glued to the lesson. He wondered and asked questions. At the end we asked a few review questions. Joe got almost every single answer! Right there and then, we asked Pat, "What are your thoughts about Joe being Baptize? Is that something you or he would like to do?" Pat nods, "I just leave it up to him. If he wants to be Baptize, that is great!"
And he does! Sister Vere and I are still praying much for Joe! We're planning to set a Baptism date next week!
I love being a Missionary! I know that The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored this Latter-day! I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet today! And I know that we are on safe course as we follow the Prophet, who knows our day and what we need. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He loves us and that He was willing to pay the price for us, so that we all can be clean! I know that the Book of Mormon are the words of Christ. And by reading it, you will come closer to our loving Father in Heaven.
I love you all!
Sister Hatch.
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