Here is Danielle's letter for the week, May 6, 2013
Well I shall let you know about my week.... where to begin. Let us start with a scripture that sums up my week. I will replace a few words to make it my own.
"for ye receive no [SUCCESS] until after the trial of your faith" -Ether 12:6. It reads no Witness, but for me this week the word success fits much better. This week was trial after trial. Many appointments feel through, people decided they did not want to meet with us, others moved with out letting us know and have no way to contact missionaries. Things like that. It was trial after trial. I am not going to lie and say it was easy because it was not. It was HARD! I even grew a zit on my chin from the stress! (its okay because it is already gone so not to worry). Trial after trial sprang up and we just had to keep trudging our way through the muck that was associated.
I read a scripture Saturday night and I know it has changed my mind about myself as a missionary!
Heleman 15:6 "Yea, I say unto you, that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their bretheren to the knowledge of the truth; therefore there are many who do add to their numbers daily"
K. Here were a few of my thoughts in a nut shell - - These people know truth, and they are proclaiming it. I know truth and that is what I am doing.... Yet they are working with UNWEARIED DILIGENCE... am I doing that? If I were I would have people added to the numbers daily. I need to be better.... Yet I realized that it is not MY numbers that these people are added to, it is the Lords numbers. Some people may take longer to be added, but eventually they will be. Those who rejected us this week, or moved away will come to the knowledge and light eventually. This scripture just gave me the boost to get back on my feet after all these trials and push forward.
The next day was fast Sunday... or should I say miracle Sunday! I KNOW the lord is so aware of us! There are so many times on my mission I have seen simple acts that have truly been from Him. Yesterday was one of those days.
This man who we have been meeting with on and off came to church and that was really exciting. What was even more exciting was after class his member friend asked us to come over more often and teach him because, as she said, "he decided he wants to do it".
"DO what?" I asked. "Have lessons or be baptized"
"Both!" She responded with a big smile. "He said he is ready to join the church."
I couldn't believe it. I shot this man a look (he is really shy and wouldn't tell us himself these things) and he just had the biggest smile on his face. Talking with him he confirmed what the lady had let us known. It was so wonderful to just see him so happy after so many times seeing him so depressed and sad. I pray he will continue having this desire and not let Satan get into his way as he makes these changes in his life for the better.
A few hours later we went to a lesson with this young woman Lima. She has been going to church for a while and knows much about the gospel. Her mother is recently started coming back to church and Lima needs to be baptized! She is actually not in my ward, but we received an OK from President Ellsworth to teach her. This was the spiritual highlight of my week! During our first lesson we discussed the importance of the restoration of the gospel. Her testimony of Joseph Smith was so simple, yet powerful. She already knows the truth of this gospel and has accepted to be baptized! We have a date set and will continue to work with this wonderful young woman.
Something amazing about her is the reason she realized she needed to do this. She expressed, with tears in her eyes, that she needs to so that she can go serve her mission. :) She already wants to be a missionary!!!! I was balling by now, of course, and felt such a strong spirit. I honestly could see her smiling face in a few years receiving her mission call and wearing this special black name tag that is so important to me on her own chest.
Being a missionary is so amazing because we honestly can feel a portion of Heavenly Fathers love for these people. I love Lima sooooo much! I only met her once and have no idea how to even attempt to say her last name! (its a way long Tongan one).
Well I should get going. Know I love you very much! Being a missionary is the best feeling in the world. Declaring to others the importance of having a loving Father in Heaven and the unique message of the restoration fills me with so much joy! Keep doing all you can for own personal missionary experiences. I love you a lot!
Love, Sister Brownell
