This week has been a great one, but it wouldn't be complete without admitting of my thinking about Meeegs this whole month. I love ya so much Siiiiister! and I want you to know you’re beautiful and I had been thinking [of] you [so] much since the 8th ;)
Along with special birthdays (hats off to our great President Abraham Lincoln this week on the 13th and Delanny Olsen's on the 19th, Baby Chase's and apparently Kitty's too), this week has been filled with blessings, but some of the greatest blessings come from seeing those once lost come back. Sister Soni, a sweet but playful girl who is going to college and living with her family (of whom her older sister and brother-in-law are members), was a Less Active whom Elder Merkley has been trying to come back since before I got here 8 weeks ago. We finally saw her and taught her family one evening to invite them back; she agreed. Then, she didn't come to church. But we knew how much it would bless her, so we continued to help her in little ways. First we invited her to English class on Tuesday and she came! Then when we were about to teach a gospel lesson to some of our students who were interested to learn about Christ, we invited her to help teach. We gave her the opportunity to share her testimony and she helped wonderfully.
Later that week, one of our appointments dropped, but we had asked for Soni's help again and she was coming. We called to cancel but she said she was bringing one of her friends, B. Yes, that's her name. ;) So we actually just taught her and her friend instead with my first convert here, Brother Nat. The five of us really hit it off and Elder Merkley and I even sang for them on condition they share their Thai poetry (which was beautiful). We taught about the Restoration, Joseph Smith, and gave her a Book of Mormon. Soni once again delivered powerful testimony of the book she knew to be true.
Then next Sunday and there was not a single investigator there that we invited - one whom I called at 6:00am even came only to leave saying that she had other business. And on top of that, I was drafted back to the piano again. Although my piano skills are getting better, it still hurts when every one of those people you teach and love don't come. But after the meeting had started, I looked over at someone I hadn't seen at church before. It was Soni! She wearing a lovely yellow blouse and dressed up so nice. Then the High Councilman spoke about all the blessings we receive from worshiping the Lord at His house at church. After Sacrament Meeting was over, I welcomed her gladly; and in Sunday School she shared how she liked his comments as well. After I asked her to help Sister Mild feel more welcome and she was uneasy because she hadn't been for a while. But I think this is the beginning of a great new start for this wonderful girl. Please pray for her to remember the blessings and covenants she has from coming, if you can. Thank you.
On another note, my dad asked me a good question about the people seeing an eternal perspective beyond this Earth. To which I answer: About the people not seeing far - when you think that you'll just become a cat after this life, it's hard to get a grip on why you should raise your children well, be faithful to your wife, etc. But that's why we invite everyone to read the Book of Mormon. Remember Aaron and Ammon "unfolded the scriptures" unto the kings, the counts and all the people. Once they get a hold of the Book of Mormon, it's only a matter of time. I just finished Alma 26 to 29 in the Thai BoM and it's wonderful to draw comparisons to all the work I do here include preaching to them all over in all places. But all it takes is to get in touch with the Spirit for conversion to happen.
I believe that is what happened with Soni. She was simply exposed to the Spirit that she once felt. We're all children of God and we've ALL felt that before when we were with our Heavenly father. SO My challenge to you - my family on all three sides, my friends from school, work, or any other crazy place we've met - is to invite ONE person to come with you back to church. It's not as scary as it seems. If you love church but are scared to invite friends, that's like holding two ice cream cones and worrying that your friend will blow up at you and never be friends again if he or she doesn't like that flavor of the one you offer. It's their dang choice to eat it! They aren't going to steal your ice cream cuz that's mean; that's why we must OFFER it. If they eat it and don't like it, that's fine - you'll still be friends. But who do YOU know who doesn't like ice cream? I know very few. I know very few people who would get livid if you followed this challenge.
However, it might be that you forgot how good the sweetness of the gospel can be and have drawn yourself away from the "Smorgeous board of the Restoration". If in your heart there is something telling you "That's me," I invite you to come back to the feast with me and 'give that ice cream' to yourself. If bringing that ONE person back to church means you, please come. But if you've NEVER been to church and tasted off this feast I invite YOU to come! And bring your friends like Soni did to "come buy milk and honey, (and metaphorical ice cream) without money and without price."
If you're thinking "Yeah that's fun just cuz he's just a missionary," you try it! Then report your stories to me through my mom's email (<tamischlappi@gmail.com>). Remember you're not alone in your efforts. Pray always. Soni didn't come the week we thought she would, but the Lord used our efforts to bring her happiness. I know that as you do this, you will have greater joy than you can even try to understand. I pray Godspeed in your efforts, my friends! Looking forward to hearing from you.
Love always,
Elder Gibbons
