We were really busy at the office this week! Sister Morris was sick a couple of 1/2 days, but seems to be feeling a little better. We are going back to Merced for an appointment Wednesday afternoon, so maybe she will hear something that will help her be well. She is starting to think it's her gallbladder! Hopefully the Dr. will let her have some imaging done - like an ultrasound of her gallbladder, AND her esophagus! That would be a blessing!
We have been helping more people with their resumes. Some of the people cannot type on the computer, as they are older, so at times, it's just easier for us to do it, though we ARE supposed to be teaching them self reliance! We had a gentleman come to the door and asked if we were an employment agency. We told him we aren't a "staffing agency" for temporary workers, but we help people with their job seeking skills; that we teach the Career Workshop on Tuesdays, and can help people with their resumes. He thought that would be great, so he came in. As most companies have people fill an application out online, then email a copy of their resume, he needed to have an email address. We set up an email address for him. Then tried to get him onto ldsjobs.org, but had a problem with the password, etc. So he decided he would go home, and come back the next day for some resume help.
Before he left, he said, "I think my son is a member of this church." I asked if he belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or 'the Mormons'. The man said he thought he did. I asked what he knew of the Mormons. He said he had grown up Catholic, and had gone to a couple of other Christian churches - I said our church was Christian, and we have Jesus Christ in the name of the Church - as it was His church. We talked a bit about a few other things, like how Jesus set up His church when He was on the earth, and had Apostles like Peter, James and John, etc. and then I asked him if he would like a couple of brochures. He said yes, that he would like to know more about this church. I gave him The Plan of Salvation, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. He said that would be great, and he could read through them. Then I gave him a Book of Mormon telling him that it was my most favorite book in the world, and when he read it, to be sure to do what it says in Moroni 10:4-5, marked the passage, and sent him on his way.
I'm really blessed! It is such an amazing feeling to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people. I am so grateful for the times I listen to the Holy Ghost - SO grateful! I let a couple of people slip by without saying anything to them, but I am trying to not do that again, so I talk of Christ, or I talk of families. Sister Morris is good at it - as I am good with writing things, she is good talking about things and has an easy time making "connections" with people.
The man did come back the next day and Sister Morris, Brother Tanner (one of the volunteers), and I each gave a section of the Career Workshop to this gentleman, then I helped him with his resume. All throughout this time, we, each, are trying to build him up, and help him by pointing out, as it says in the Workshop, all of the talents and skills he possesses. He is really skilled - he has put together and organized a whole processing plant than manufactures boxes! He knows how to repair them, refurbish them, and design and build them. He's pretty talented. During our time, we talked of how Heavenly Father knew him, and had guided him to our office. What a priviledge it was to work with him.
Later than night, after going to the temple with Sister Metler from our ward here, we stopped at a place called Yodiggity Yogurt - where you get whatever you want, yogurt, toppings, etc and pay by weight (reminds me of Brasil, Dan!) - And I wonder why I've gained weight here!
The girls behind the counter said they thought we were members of the same church the owner of Yodiggity was from - as they recognized the name tags. We asked what do you know about the Mormons, would you like to know more? One of the girls said yes, and the other said her extended family that live in Idaho were Mormons. but she didn't really know anything about the Mormons. So we gave them a couple of brochures - The Plan of Salvation and as I had only 1 Book of Mormon, gave it to both of them. The girl that said yes seemed really pleased.
We went to a birthday party for our friend Shamara, and the Elders were there. They asked us if we would like to go out on a team up with them. I was only slightly paying attention, so I didn't realize it was for that night (Friday). We went, yes in separate cars, to a woman named Launa. She was a hoot! She is an investigator who at one time if you were Mormon, you belonged to a cult. She has had her heart softened, though she still has issues, she even talks about being Mormon at some point in her life. That was a priviledge to be there.
We went to the baptism of a 91 year old man from our ward yesterday. His name is Eugene, and he is a cutie! The Spirit was so powerful there. The Holy Ghost helped me to feel that Heavenly Father was so pleased with Eugene for choosing to be baptized. It was really nice.
We took our friend Becky, and she just absorbed all that was there like a sponge. She is feeling very tender hearted, as she had her Bishop's Interview for her temple recommend today. She can go this Thursday to see the Stake President! As her car didn't pass inspection, she has no wheels to get her where she needs to be. We will pick her up and take her to the appointment. We normally go to the temple on Thursdays, but we feel this is really important!
After the baptism, as we were gathering around eating these yummy sugar cookies, and pumpkin shaped rice krispie squares, etc (now you KNOW why I've gained weight!), I was talking with some of the people there; one of them was the boyfriend of Eugene's granddaughter; a really polite young man. The Holy Ghost was telling me to talk to him about the Church, but for some reason I thought the Elders would do it; so just as this young man is heading out the door, I sense the urgency from the Spirit to go up to him.
I asked him how he felt during the baptism. He said it felt like it did when he had been baptized. I was a little confused after that comment, thinking he WAS LDS, but asked what ward he was in. He said "a what?" Luckily I'm not too dense, and The Spirit helped me realize he wasn't a member, and I asked him if he had ever read the Book of Mormon. He said no, and I asked if he would like to, and he said yes, that he would. So - luckily I had put another Book of Mormon into my purse, and gave it to him. He, too, seemed pleased!
I gave the Elders, and Eugene's daughter, who is a member, a head's up and said to make sure they followed up with that young man!
I am trying to talk with more and more people. We need to! I don't know about you, but I feel time is getting short - I felt that from Conference too.
We were invited to dinner this afternoon. We went to Brother Greg Cook's home, and his fiancee, Tamera Perkins, fixed a yummy meal! There were 9 of us total - Britta, and other single sisters from the ward - we felt blessed to be counted among them. It was nice of Brother Cook and Sister Perkins to invite us along. Britta was nice to ask if we could also come. We appreciated that! Then we had choir practice. I'll try and remember to take a picture next week of our choir. It's really wonderful being able to sing in a choir again.
I best go - sorry there's only the one picture! I didn't take pictures anywhere else. We have a very busy week this week, something every night! Tuesday we are taking Becky out to see if we can find some sisters who are on the Relief Society roster, but no one knows who they are. As we are at the office during the day, we need to go visiting at night, so hopefully the area is not too scary! The addresses are over where Becky lives, which is not necessarily a very good part of town. We will be careful.
My best to all! Thank you for your prayers - I feel the strength, love, and power from them! Love, Sister Ure
