So
we totally spaced on making a plan for 6:00pm. We were just sitting out in
our courtyard making calls and trying to do some administrative stuff when this
young couple walks up to us. They introduce themselves and explain that they
just moved here, and are looking for a church. They say they're
"floaters" because no religion follows the Bible quite like they
think they should. Like, they believe baptism is essential, but what about
those who don't know about Christ? The Bible speaks of a "spirit
prison" that Christ preached to, but that's so vague! And really, we
shouldn't be drinking harmful or addictive substances like coffee and alcohol,
right?
Sister
Miller and I jumped on that one so fast. She ran into the house to grab a Book
of Mormon while I started teaching the plan of salvation. Families can be
together forever? That's so cool!
They
were a miracle family you guys. Fell straight from the sky into our lap.
This
encounter made us a little late to our lesson with Kristen, but she was
understanding. We brought a member with us that kind of took over the lesson a
little, we prayed a lot that it would begin to reel back in. Kristen has a
special way of looking at spiritual things, and she spent most of the meeting
defending her beliefs. What was amazing was that through this, Sister Miller
and I had our eyes open to the fact that she's not necessarily wrong. Her
understanding of how the gospel works isn't a concept I was raised on, but we
haven't been given anything to contradict it. It's okay if she wants to believe
how she does, as long as it doesn't conflict with her forming a personal
relationship with God. I think for once, Kristen finally felt understood and
ready to move forward. For over a year now missionaries have been trying to
show her that her viewpoints don't work because they're not ours. That night,
the spirit told us to just keep reading the Book of Mormon with her and
everything else will fall into place. Heavenly Father is okay with where she's
at.
"This is the principle on
which the government of Heaven is conducted- by revelation adapted to the
circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed" (Joseph
Smith)
It
was the same sort of situation with the Hindu family we are teaching. (Shout
out to Ezra Anderson for his awesome insights on working with people from India!) Right
now, they just need the basics, and I wouldn't be surprised if they find that
their understanding of spirituality is just more truth being added to than
being taken away.
We
all have the light of Christ, and we all once learned the same gospel.
We
taught two people this week that agreed to be baptized. Cory and Kenton. It was
really exciting.
We
also had like 5 investigators at church! Lu, Nancy and her boyfriend, and
Sister Yates just to name a few :). It's been awhile since we've seen that
many. I gave a talk on the atonement, and also said goodbye to the ward. There
was lots of hugs and crying, that's for sure. This place has become my home. I
mean, they all become my home, but really- I would love to come back here to
actually live someday. It's been a blessing to serve here.
After
committing Kenton to be baptized, President called and confirmed what I already
was feeling. Time to grow a little more. He asked me to go white wash an area,
and train a new missionary out in the country (Laurenceburg, TN) for my last 6
weeks.
It's
kind of funny to watch my mission come full circle. A year and a half ago I was
in redneck territory, a brand new missionary, training a brand new
missionary.
I'm
excited to do that again, this time having learned and become so much more.
I've never white washed before (gone in not having either of us know the area),
so I'm really excited to try that out. I feel like I learned so much with
Sister Miller, and I can't wait to learn more from my trainee :)
It
was Sister Millers birthday on Sunday, so this whole week I helped surprise her
with a party at every members house. And every time, she totally didn't
expect it! It was so fun! Now, I'm wayyy too full of fancy expensive foods and
cake! Lol. We even have a friend from Iraq/Iran/Pakistan who made us food from
her countries :).
One
especially fancy meal was with the Schussles. Mike isn't too happy I'm leaving,
but he said he'd come out with his wife and take me to lunch in my new area.
Lol. I can't wait for him to be baptized one day :)
I
think of all people though, I'm really glad I got to meet Mr. Tony Stark. He
has made some amazing strides with his life which has been a blessing for me to
see. In gospel principles we had a lesson on service. At the end, he shared his
testimony. Letting us know he doesn't usually get emotional, He said that ever
since God put the missionaries in his life, he has read the Book of Mormon. He's prayed to Heavenly Father
more often in these few weeks than in the last 10 years of his life. He's
come to church more in the past 2 months than in the past 20 years. He said he
believes God sends angels to help us all, and this time those Angels were us.
For once in his life he feels like he has a conscious, he thinks twice before
doing something wrong.
Then,
looking at me, he said he doesn't usually miss people or anything, but he is
really going to miss me.
It
was a tender moment for the whole class, watching this prodigal sons journey
coming home. Tony later told me that when I spoke on the Atonement, he cried
for the first time in a long time.
In
this area I've learned that there are people where God is just like, okay with
where they're at right now. Like God understands where Tony is at and he's okay
with it. God understands where Kristen is at and he's okay with it. Gods also
okay with me where I'm at.... We all have these very different paths leading
us.... So why does it even matter which one we are on if they're all going to
be different and he's understanding and aware and using it to bring them to
him? Why have I given up 18months to convince people that my path is better for
them? Is it? Not really.
But
the gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't have to be just one life path. It's the way
for all paths. I'm here to show people that what I've used in my life (the
atonement) has pulled me to a very straight and narrow way leading right to Christ.
It's the easiest, happiest, most fulfilling way to move forward. And it's the
only path leading to God. So others may be on these windy paths that God's
understanding of and won't condemn them for, but if they will incorporate the
gospel of Jesus Christ, they will find that He pulls them to the straight and
narrow in their own way.
I
also believe he lets people stay off the straight path for a bit so they can
reach people often too far for those at the iron rod to grab hold of and help.
Being that far out perhaps gives them a strength they can use to better help
move everyone else forward one day. I don't know. All I know is Christ loves
Tony and Kristen and all of these people, and he's taking care of them. They
will be okay in the end because of the atonement. I love them both so it means
a lot to me to know that they'll be okay. We are safe and protected in His
arms.
"Listen
to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before
him--
Saying:
Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou
wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him
whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
Wherefore,
Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come
unto me and have everlasting life."
(Doctrine
and Covenants 45:3-5)
Sister Jennifer Hochstrasser WRITE TO ME! You have a month :) Note the new address!
Tennessee
Nashville Mission
1646 Sunset Road
Brentwood, TN 37027
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