¡Hola Fonzfam!
This morning's temple session couldn't have been better! We got up after 5:30, quickly showered, got dressed, and headed to the temple grounds to meet up with the rest of our zone by 6:30 for the 7 o'clock session. Being earlier in the day, plus on a weekday, a lot of the normal members who attended were joyfully surprised by the full size of the session. Going into this temple trip I had prepared a few questions that had been on my mind. Throughout my time there, I peacefully let my thoughts be guided by the Spirit. Once in the Celestial room I took to the scriptures and quickly found the answers to my questions. Some of those answers have brought me new questions that I'm going to bring to General Conference for some more guided direction. That power of revelation that comes through the holiness of the temple is so real. The blessings of the temple are incredible. I'm so grateful for the few opportunities to go as a missionary. It truly is something to never take for granted.
With the many ups and downs that come with missionary work, this week we've experienced the extremes of both spectrums. We don't know what changed necessarily, but we finally had 6 people come to church this last Sunday! Adwoa came by herself, along with Dylan and his younger son Hunter, Geoff and Netta(who are engaged), and Tabitha with her 9-year-old daughter Taylor(They're a birthday miracle!) It was awesome to see them all there and we're working hard to see them there again. It got the members really excited too. For some reason though we've been having a lot of our appointments fall through. It's just a rut right now that we hope will improve so that we can continue to teach. Personally I think that it's just God humbling us from some of our success so that we keep finding more people to teach;)
Ok, I have a cool story about Tabitha that started well over a month ago. Elder Clements and I saw a Uhaul truck and offered to help the family who was moving in. It was a very hot evening and the things they needed help with weren't necessarily the lightest, but we were of course happy for the opportunity to serve. We had little bits of conversation with them here and there, but after everything was unloaded they weren't really interested in our message. So we went on our way not thinking too much about it. Fast forward to last Wednesday. Elder Wadsworth was on an exchange in the area and saw Tabitha's daughter, Taylor, was struggling with some groceries and offered to help. Going to their apartment he met Tabitha and began talking with her. She had lost her old bible and wanted a new one, so he promised to come back the next day to give her one. Thursday we went by and deliver the bible to her and invited her to church by writing down all the details on the back of a Restoration pamphlet that we gave her. She said that she might come. Later that night we got a text from her that said that she and her daughter wanted to come to church and work towards being baptized as well! Our mouths dropped! It was the best birthday miracle ever! From what I wrote earlier, she and Taylor came and had a good experience. Us and the ward are going to be working closely to help them progress towards baptism soon:)
This weekend I was listening to a talk in my personal time by Stephan W. Owens during the April 2016 conference called, "The Greatest Leaders are the Greatest Followers." The part that hit me the most says, "Christlike leaders gain power and influence 'by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.' In God’s eyes, the greatest leaders have always been the greatest followers." I know that through humility and patience with myself and others, Heavenly Father will bless me with His Spirit that will bring special blessings into my life that will help me be a better follower of Christ. As we follow Him with submissiveness, our ability to love others will increase. I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father and for His Son, Jesus Christ. It is because of Them that my companions and I are able to be apart of the incredible miracles that are happening. I love you all so much and know that that love will never fade. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fonnesbeck
PS- THANK YOU to all of those who sent birthday cards and wishes my way! I'm so grateful for all of your love and for the support that I have from all of you as my family and friends. I personally want to express my gratitude for everything you've done for me over the past 15 months. Muchismas Gracias:)
The 3 Edified Amigos after our temple session this morning.
Thank you for making my 20th birthday so special everyone!
Tabitha's miracle text from last Thursday!
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