New Investigators!

This week we had a lot of new investigators and it was really great to be able to teach people really simply about one of the core doctrines in the gospel. God is our Loving Heavenly Father. What a marvelous truth! I believe that Elder Holland said that the first great truth is that God loves us. I really like the scriptures in 2 Nephi 26 that talks about God's love. 2 Nephi 26:24 says: He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world. When we truly understand God's love, then everything else in the Gospel makes sense. It is a great and simple way to explain both the reason for prayer, how we should do it, and what it is.

This week I also had the opportunity to go on exchanges with one of the Assistants to the President this week. We did a three sum so I was still with Elder Rogers, and we spent a lot of the day going to appointments with members, less actives, and investigators, and then contacting on the way. It is always good to see how other people contact, and it was especially fun to see Elder Harker show us good ways to contact, even when we are riding bikes! After our exchange, Elder Rogers and I have spent more time visiting members and less actives. This is consistent with the approach of the mission. We "mine the gold mine." This means that we focus on recent converts, less actives, members, investigators, and then contact on the way to an from those appointments.

There is not much other news, sorry... I took a picture of the lizard that was on our kitchen cabinets :) 

One thing that I have realized this week, more than others, is my many weaknesses. It is not really a sad thing, in fact, I think it is empowering to realize more what you fall short of. This week I have really felt an increased need to rely on the atonement of Christ. The blessings that follow relying on the Savior are immense, including increased friendliness when contacting, greater receptivity of the spirit, and being happier in general. 

I have a testimony of this Gospel. It has changed my life and the message contained in the scriptures and from the prophets are true. When we have faith, we can accomplish hard things and see miracles in our lives. The only hard thing is that it is sometimes hard to have faith, and to do things for the right reasons. But God blesses our efforts, so don't give up! I hope that you all have a great week!

[Note from Mary regarding their kitchen visitor: Nathan's apartment is on the 9th floor. Yikes.]