Dear Family,
I want to tell you a few of my thoughts and feelings, since I'll be leaving in two days. Sorella Padula has helped me to concentrate and work hard every day and so I feel great! Sometimes I feel this peace and joy fill me up when I think about the people that I love here, that I've not only served but have served me! I love each one of the companions that I served with more than ever. Sorella Padula is a true GEM because she has helped me to endure to the end! This week she told me during the 13th point of our weekly planning session "Sorella Oakes I tell you what I told Sorella Simpkins the week before she went home- this week, Satan will try his best to tempt you to relax and not work, or to become stressed and nervous,etc. He'll do anything he can to tempt you so that you will not be as effective as you can be. Don't give in to him!". She then added with a smile, "I know that you won't." It was a spiritual power statement that had a great effect on me. All week long it goes through my mind. Thanks to her, this week has been one of the best work weeks of my mission. I feel so good and grateful to her. I've said it once and I'll say it again, Sorella Padula is converting me to Jesus Christ. I love her! I appreciate her!
I haven't told you anything about her, but one of our investigators will be baptized on friday! It's the day after I leave and I wish I could see her but I'm just happy for her! She's nine years old and her family is reactivated. I love their family so much. I'll tell you all about them in a few days.
I still have many imperfections and weaknesses, but I know that I have gone up on the conversion scale, because I have a strong desire to share the gospel with everyone and when I think about going home, I want to serve others. I want to be busy introducing my non-member friends to the missionaries, cleaning, babysitting, fulfilling callings, studying, etc. I want to keep progressing and being converted, and converting others. My entire perspective about life and what makes me happy has changed. I'm not worried at all, I'll just take everything one day at a time.
I know I have spent a lot of time talking about me, but I hope that it will help Elder Oakes as you continue working hard!
I'll share one miracle story of the week!
I'll tell you about two miracles that occurred at the same time!
As we got on the bus and began to sit down, the spirit told me "talk to those two young girls in the back!" It was so clear. Right then, Sorella Padula said, "I feel like we need to talk to this man behind us." We both felt so strongly and this urgency to talk to these different people that we agreed that we'd have to split up. The young girls that I talked to were very sincere and happy to talk with me. They asked me lots of questions about what we do as missionaries. When I told them about the restoration one of them lit up. She seemed very touched by the spirit. She asked me "do you have an internet site that I can read and learn more about this?" I asked her if we could pass by her home with a Book of Mormon. She then seemed sad and said "I wish, but my parents would never let me. I'm sorry". When I offered to give her the Book of Mormon I was holding in my hand she said, "really, are you sure it wouldn't be a problem?" I was thrilled and said, "of course not! If you'll read it I'll give it to you right now!" She said, "I love reading the bible. I'll read this! Thank you so much!" She was one of the most elect people I have ever met. I feel that she'll join the church in the future.
Meanwhile, Sorella Padula approached this man that she had felt prompted to talk to. As he lifted up his head she realized he was our investigator, Collins! He seemed down. As she talked with him he told her, "I just finished working. My boss offered me a few hours of work tomorrow morning, but it's sunday. I don't know what to do." As they talked more, Collins said that instantly after his boss had talked to him he received our text message that read "like Nephi, God will help us to obey the commandments if we put our trust in Him 1 Nephi 3:7". (Wow, daily contacting points!) As he read the text message he knew that he should come to church, but it was really hard to turn down an opportunity to earn money that he desperately needs. Sorella Padula bore testimony to Him about the power of God and that He'll take care of us when we have faith to obey His commandments.
It was amazing how the Lord led us to talk to these people in this moment. If both of us would have approached Collins, we wouldn't have talked to the young girls, or vice versa! I'm grateful for the guidance and promptings of the Spirit.
As we got on the bus and began to sit down, the spirit told me "talk to those two young girls in the back!" It was so clear. Right then, Sorella Padula said, "I feel like we need to talk to this man behind us." We both felt so strongly and this urgency to talk to these different people that we agreed that we'd have to split up. The young girls that I talked to were very sincere and happy to talk with me. They asked me lots of questions about what we do as missionaries. When I told them about the restoration one of them lit up. She seemed very touched by the spirit. She asked me "do you have an internet site that I can read and learn more about this?" I asked her if we could pass by her home with a Book of Mormon. She then seemed sad and said "I wish, but my parents would never let me. I'm sorry". When I offered to give her the Book of Mormon I was holding in my hand she said, "really, are you sure it wouldn't be a problem?" I was thrilled and said, "of course not! If you'll read it I'll give it to you right now!" She said, "I love reading the bible. I'll read this! Thank you so much!" She was one of the most elect people I have ever met. I feel that she'll join the church in the future.
Meanwhile, Sorella Padula approached this man that she had felt prompted to talk to. As he lifted up his head she realized he was our investigator, Collins! He seemed down. As she talked with him he told her, "I just finished working. My boss offered me a few hours of work tomorrow morning, but it's sunday. I don't know what to do." As they talked more, Collins said that instantly after his boss had talked to him he received our text message that read "like Nephi, God will help us to obey the commandments if we put our trust in Him 1 Nephi 3:7". (Wow, daily contacting points!) As he read the text message he knew that he should come to church, but it was really hard to turn down an opportunity to earn money that he desperately needs. Sorella Padula bore testimony to Him about the power of God and that He'll take care of us when we have faith to obey His commandments.
It was amazing how the Lord led us to talk to these people in this moment. If both of us would have approached Collins, we wouldn't have talked to the young girls, or vice versa! I'm grateful for the guidance and promptings of the Spirit.
I know this is the one and only true church of Jesus Christ. He's in charge of every aspect of this work. A living prophet, Thomas S. Monson is His servant. The Book of Mormon is the word of God! I know these things are true and no one on the planet could ever convince me otherwise!
Love,
Sorella Oakes
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