Jul 21: Castle Hills

Hi family and friends!

It was an incredible week in Castle Hills.

We spent a lot of time at apartment complexes this week, contacting and seeking those who are prepared to accept the restored gospel. At one complex, we walked by a group of kids sitting at a picnic table. They said, "What are those cards you are giving people?" We showed them our pass along cards, with pictures of Christ and the temple. They said, "Can we have one??" They all wanted one! They really looked at the pictures and loved them. Later, my companion asked me, "Do you think kids see Christ when they look at us?" I thought that was an incredible question. I've noticed over and over again on my mission that kids smile when they see us! They wave and smile, and want to talk to us! I know that young children truly are innocent and that in order to become Christ-like, we must become child-like.

We had Zone Conference on Tuesday! I learned so much! My favorite training was President Slaughter's first training, about who we really are. I didn't know that when our lineage is declared in our Patriarchal Blessings that we literally have that blood in us! I always figured we were adopted into certain tribes. But President Slaughter corrected that common misconception. When we are told what our lineage is, we literally have that blood within us. "The Blood of Israel is flowing through our vains!" He talked a lot about the scattering and gathering of Israel. Wow! I need to study that more.

A miracle this week:

We went to an apartment complex to visit Ar again. He wasn't home, but as we were walking around, a woman far down the walk way, at the front of the complex, caught my eye. We went over to talk to her. She was in an electric wheelchair, parked in front of a little part of the sidewalk where it went up (like a tiny driveway, but sidewalk version). We asked if we could do anything for her. She said something along the lines of, "Can you push me up the hill?" We said of course! She told us her battery had died. Once we got up the little hill, it was clear that her battery was not going to get her back home. It was completely dead, and her apartment was on the other side of the complex. Because it was an electric wheelchair, it was heavy, and even though she could walk a little with something to lean on, she would not have made it all the way to her apartment. We were able to push her along until we got there, and were able to plug her chair in at her apartment. She was so grateful. It was touching to me to see how aware Heavenly Father is of His children. We were not able to see Ar that day, or even meet any others who were particularly interested, but Heavenly Father wanted us there to help one of His daughters who needed a boost. In Preach My Gospel we learn that visiting teachers are basically missionaries for members, and that missionaries are basically visiting or home teachers for nonmembers! I love this, and I know that it is true! This sweet lady did not have a visiting teacher, but Heavenly Father quickly called a couple to her to give her a hand. God is a merciful, loving, and very aware Father.

We got to drop by the C Family's home this week. They are the family in the ward that is from Brazil! I got to do a little bit of language practice with Sister C and the two little girls (8 and 6). It was wonderful.

On Friday and Saturday, I got to go on an exchange. During the exchange we had dinner with a family who had 3 sons and 2 daughters. During the meal I felt like I should ask the oldest, R, about his plans for a mission. I asked how old he was, and when he said 18, I said, "Wow, you could go on your mission soon!" He smiled and kind of laughed. He said, "That's a whole big thing!" And started talking about how he was still trying to decide and it was a big thing for his family right now. It was obvious that his parents knew that going on a mission would be the right thing for him, but that they wanted him to be able to make his own decision.

I've had a couple of times on my mission where suddenly a reason for me being somewhere became very clear. I had that with M once in my last area, when it became very clear to me that if I didn't let her know that drinking was not ok in God's eyes, I would not be fulfilling my purpose as one of Christ's servants.

At that moment with that sweet family, I began to feel very strongly that if there was anything I could do or say to help R make the decision to serve a mission, then it was my responsibility to do it right then.

As we finished eating, I felt impressed to share D&C 18:15 as well as little parts of Brother M's story. Throughout the dinner message, Brother and Sister T got tears in their eyes, and the kids were all quietly listening. I finished with my testimony that any sacrifice is worth just one soul in God's eyes. I promised R that he would never regret serving his mission. I could tell he felt that that promise was not just from me, and his parents both had tears in their eyes. As we left, they thanked us so sincerely, with light in their eyes, and smiles on their faces. They sent us home with a whole bottle of root beer and dinner left overs in bags.

There are moments when you can tell that someone is seeing you not for yourself. I cannot explain how humbled I feel in those moments when I can see that someone is looking at me and seeing a representative of Jesus Christ. That dinner experience was one of those moments.

We have a lot of Spanish speaking in my area.

We tried to meet Ar again later in the week. He was not home, but we realized we had never gone to the 2nd floor of the complex before. We went up and after knocking a few, we met F. She was a young woman/teenager, open to our message, but there was a woman in the background at the kitchen table who looked unhappy. There was also a little girl (about 6) who came to the door and smiled up at us. F was open, but when she went back and asked the woman if we could come in, the answer was no. But she said we could share it there in the doorway. She told us she was sorry we couldn't come in, but that her mom wasn't feeling well and only spoke Spanish. I told her we could speak some Spanish. F told us that her mom's mother was passing away. We told her we had a message that could bring comfort. She went back and told her mom, but when she came back, she said we could just teach her there at the doorstep. We pulled out the restoration pamphlet, and after just the first picture of Christ, F's mother called her back and talked to her. F asked us, "So you speak some Spanish?" We said yes. F said, "She said you could come share." So we went in and joined the woman at the table. She looked so sad and began to explain to us in Spanish that her mother was very ill and could be dying, but was all the way in Mexico. She sobbed as she told us that she is praying for her mom, and she has faith, but that she just doesn't know what is going to happen. She explained that she cannot go to Mexico because it is so dangerous in the city where they lived - that is why they came to the U.S.

I was able to share a simple Plan of Salvation lesson with her and her two daughters. R, the little girl, brought water bottles and gum and put them on the table in front of us as we were teaching. The mother, D, cried as she listened to my broken spanish with lots of portuguese mixing in. Even though it was not eloquent at all, I could tell that she felt the power of the message of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. She cried as she learned about the Spirit World and the chance to receive the gospel after this life for those who have not learned about it. We asked if the Spanish missionaries could come back to teach them more. She gave us her phone number and said yes. Before we left, we prayed, and R smiled and gave Sister S and I each a big hug and said, "Thank you for helping my mom!"

The Spanish Elders went back that night and met D's family, including her husband who had been away when we were there. Things are going very well.

Every day is filled with miracles. God is truly aware of the simple and small parts of our lives and the lives of all of His children. He loves us so deeply and understands what we need to be comforted and what we need to progress towards our eternal potential. I am grateful for a loving Father and I am grateful for a Savior who succors, understands, and refines me.

I hope you all have another wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Greenall


The North Zone!  In the middle is President Slaughter with his daughter.