Dear Family and Friends,
We had another great week of learning and growing. Just
after writing my last letter I got the opportunity to let out my suit pants
about an inch and a half. You all would be so proud of me.
We had more lessons
this week and my companion and I are getting better at giving lessons without a
script. I think next week they will make us go without anything but our
scriptures. We actually did a lesson this week without notes. Our new
investigator was supposed to have been taught the 3rd lesson but he told us
before we started teaching that he had already learned about the restoration
and even though the last time he was taught was in April, he said he remembered
everything. So after a good pause, we decided we would have to teach the Plan
of Salvation, without planning at all. It was kind-off rough because we did not
have the right vocabulary pulsing through our brain but when we finished if
felt kind off good.
We also had a really rough time with another one of our
investigators. After an awesome lesson with an obvious presence of the Holy
Ghost we asked her to be baptized. She responded by telling us that she had
just found another church and really liked it a lot. The lesson ended with us
just telling her to keep her book of Mormon and continue to read. So, that
should have been it right? Time for a new investigator. Nope. We were surprised
to find that we needed to teach her again and that we still had a chance with
her. With only 30 minutes to prep. we prayed and decided to try to get her to
pray with us and feel the spirit again. I don't really know how she felt
because she said she had to go right after the prayer. She is one tough
investigator.
But, I am still really enjoying my time and learning
surprisingly fast. In the temple this morning, I listened only in Portuguese and
really enjoyed it. Besides I almost raised my hand when only the girls where
supposed to. I also really noticed that I could hear and comprehend much better
if I closed my eyes. I just made sure I peeked every once in a while so I didn't
miss something.
I was so glad to hear from everyone this week. I even got a
letter. What a pleasant surprise! I am so proud of all the missionary work you
guys are doing at home. That is truly the missionary spirit.
While praying last night, I felt that I needed to share my
testimony with you guys about some of the awesome things I am learning while I
teach investigators. I wanted to start with something I learned from
conference. I think there is a reason the apostles and the prophet don't talk
about deep doctrinal mysteries. The always teach the basics and the teach the
basics because that is the only thing that can help you grow a testimony in the
gospel. We learned our first week that we needed to be converted not convinced.
I truly believe that the Book of Mormon has me thoroughly convinced. I know
that there is no way it could have been falsified. Especially while reading
through the prophecies of the last days and the forming of the American Nation.
But, more importantly, I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God
because the Holy Ghost has testified to my heart. We can read the Book of
Mormon and go to church every week. And go to the temple and feel the spirit.
But, the only way to know that the Book of Mormon is True and that this is the
Lord's Gospel is through prayer. We have to know what the promptings of the
Spirit feel like. We have to do our best to seek those feelings and follow
them. I know that I am out of practice with praying with real intent and with a
sincere heart. Every prayer is a literal conversation with God. Don't just spam
his inbox. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I know I don't want to preach to you guys but these lessons
finally hit me hard here. And I want you to feel too. I shared my experience
with an investigator yesterday, that it took me several time of sincere prayer
to get a response that I could recognize. Then I decided to accept the same
challenge as my investigator and pray for my self. I was touched again. I wrote
my experience in my journal and I hope I don't forget it this time. I hope that
we all try to hold on to the soft messages of the Spirit.
I also got to go proselyting this week. Bryan is actually
going right now. Me an my companion both gave away a book on the bus and then
within 15 minutes outside a mall, we gave away our other one (when we where
given an hour). I then started helping another Elder. I was so happy to go with
him because we met the two awesome business men that were really interested. I
could tell that the Lord had a place for everyone of those copies.
Thank you all again for your support. It was awesome to hear
from you. Forgive me again for all typos. I always feel super rushed.
Love,
Elder Jacobson (Andrew)
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