Trial of Your Faith

Well hello! 

This week had Ether 12:6 written all over it. Do you know it by heart? Just in case you don't, here we are: 

"And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." 

TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH. Why does everything have to come through trials? Well, it just does.

On Friday, Sister Kline had our first day together for a full day in our area. Because of Christmas, Zone/Interview Training and other things, it was our first full day together to proselyte. I tell you what: it was the longest day of my life. I think we probably spent about eight hours finding. I was spiritually and physically exhausted. It was freezing cold. I did not want to be out in the cold. I was complaining. I was lacking faith that those we were speaking with were prepared. I had a terrible attitude (we both did), and it showed in our work. 

On Saturday, we decided to have more faith and to be more positive about everything. Although we still did a lot of finding, we found those that have truly been prepared by Heavenly Father to receive the gospel. Those we spoke to were kind. They accepted our message and set up return appointment times. Whether or not they accept us eventually, they did on Saturday. I know it was because of our faith. If they all go through, we will have so many new investigators this week.

"Faith is a real power, not just an expression of belief." Things happen when we have faith. Changes are made, both in us and in others around us. Our faith can impact hundreds, thousands, of God's children, but it begins with the choice to have it. So. Let's all choose to have faith. Mmmmk, pumpkin? 

Hm ... other things that are going on. A recent convert, D--, who was baptized just before I came here has decided not to come back to church. His parents freaked out, apparently, and so now he is not coming back. Eeek. I hate opposition sometimes, especially because he is baptized and thus has responsibilities. We are trying our best to get him to come back. :( 

We are also teaching the most golden lady in the world, A--! She is SO amazing. I don't know if I talked about her last week, but she's the non-member mother of some cool members in our ward. She is absolutely brilliant. She understands everything, because she has been coming to church for a few years. She asks great questions and we have the Spirit when we teach her. I seriously love her so much. 

Oh, we also taught an awesome guy, T--, the Restoration lesson. It was a total PMG Restoration—straight with the Joseph Smith vision and everything. He said he would be baptized if he knew it was true on March 1. We aren't sure if he was drunk or not when we were teaching him, but let's hope he wasn't and was sincere. Good stuff! 

I don't really know what else I have to report on. I have been thinking a lot about my testimony lately and how it has changed over my mission. It's funny that the more you study simple doctrine, the more questions you have; but also the more you want your questions to be answered and have faith, they can be. It's such an interesting conundrum, but I do know for sure that the things we teach are true. 

I have been thinking a lot this week about where my testimony came from. I think I've really always known that God is there. There's never been a doubt, a real doubt, that He wasn't listening to me or that He didn't love me. I've always known that Christ was my Savior. Even though it came a bit later, I knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet. There are some people to whom these truths don't come easily. For me, it was always a belief that was instilled in me. I think it's because I am almost entirely emotions-based. I like reading if the book makes me feel good. I like being happy. I like being around people that make me happy, and if I start to feel upset, I usually just leave. I am like 95% emotions. Because praying has always made me feel good, because Christ came to cleanse us of our sins, because the Book of Mormon taught good things and I enjoyed feeling the Spirit as I studied it, I've always believed those things are true. It's interesting how Heavenly Father can speak to us specifically in the way that we are going to understand it. 

I am so grateful for the gospel! It's true! Jesus Christ lives and loves all of us. 

"There is divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless." --James E. Faust sent to me from the dear Sister Nicoll, who is now home and doing weird things like getting fake nails and going on vacations. What the what? 

I love you all! 

Love,

Sister Amanda Ann Ricks