Batman was in town with his yellow corvette bat mobile (apparently
that's the original one).
We helped some hitchhikers that were bummin' in town by the church.
They were two nice guys with some duffel bags who waved us down as we
were coming out of the church parking lot. As I type this out, this is
sounding more sketchy but it really wasn't. The spirit would've told
us. They were just looking for some food and maybe shelter for the
night because they were traveling from Spokane to Utah. We called all
the leaders we could but they were busy or couldn't help, so we
brought the hitch hikers some of our own food. But we couldn't do
anything for shelter. I was able to give them a Book of Mormon and
Restoration pamphlets and they said they would read them. I really
think they will. :)
We were able to teach and put a college girl on date for baptism. She
is super nice and seems enthusiastic about it all- so that was
awesome! We originally found her because we saw a guy named Tim in the
elders old area book and he lived in a trailer park. So we tried him
but he moved out and she's there now instead. So that was a miracle!
We also raked 42 years worth of pine cones from a less active lady's
yard and took it to the dump. It took 2 days and 2 trips to the dump
because it was just us and her and she is older, so she couldn't do
much. The elders were supposed to help too but they are not here
anymore. We built some muscle doing all that. Haha.
We mostly tried to meet people in the first ward area book all week.
This weekend was crazy. We basically live in Butte and Twin Bridges
now. (And we are back here today for preparation day.) So here's how
it went:
We had stake conference this weekend and it was quite a time. So we
met the Sheridan sisters at their place and rode with them to Butte
for interviews with President. Then we came back to Twin and street
contacted at Garage-O-Rama with them. Its a giant garage sale but it
was in a warehouse looking thing and it's a big deal in a town of 400.
It was in the 90s and dusty, so it wasn't the most pleasant. Then we
went back to Butte with them to the adult session of conference. Elder
Sitati of the 70 was there. He is from Africa. We met and talked to
him and his wife a couple of times. They're awesome. Then we stayed
overnight in Butte with the Sheridan and Butte sisters at a members
house. They were out of town so they said we could stay there. And it
was nice! They had a massage chair (that they told us to try) that was
like a bowl. You sat in it, it rolled back and gave you a full body
massage. That was the entertainment for the night. Haha. We all
thought it was so cool. Then the next morning we went to an 8am ward
mission leader and missionary training meeting that President
Wadsworth taught and then had the morning session of conference. Here
are some of the things I learned both from him and throughout the
week:
Elder Sitati told us his conversion story. Him and his wife converted
in the 80s and it was because a senior missionary couple opened their
mouths. It is not enough for people to just live Christlike lives. We
must OPEN OUR MOUTHS. In D&C 33:8-10, it says,
"8 Open your mouths and they shall be filled, and you shall become
even as Nephi of old, who journeyed from Jerusalem in the wilderness.
9 Yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with
sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you.
10 Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent,
repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths
straight; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;"
We must talk the talk and not just walk the walk. Do both! Members and
missionaries must fully participate in the work of salvation and do
our parts for the Lord's work to hasten. I truly am coming to
understand the significance of member missionary work. I really regret
not doing it before my mission. I have wasted so much time and
opportunities to share the gospel with those around me. I thought I
lived the life I should but I never opened my mouth and I will not
make that mistake again. We are showing the Lord we love him and his
children (the 2 greatest commandments) when we do his work. And if you
ever have the chance, listen/ read Diana Holsher's talk called "The
Missionary Next Door". It really shows how members are essential for
people's social conversion.
Have a great week!
Sister Lauren Ney
Montana Billings Mission
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