Week 8

Dearest Family,

I hate to start out an email on a depressing note, but we had something really devastating happen this week that I just want to get over with first.  On Thursday we had a great lesson with Leslie and Kenny (the couple we've been teaching for over a month) and we watched the Restoration Video with them and talked more about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  We set up a time for us to come back and watch the general women's session with Leslie as well.  Leslie's brother Ben was there as well, he didn't really participate and left a couple times throughout but seemed like a nice guy! 

Thursday night we received two texts: 

One from Leslie's phone: "Look this is ben ya'll need to leave my family alone if you do not I will be calling the cops."

Another from Kenny's: "Hello sisters this is Pastor Dr. Patricia Rongotes I am Kenny and Leslie's pastor.  They will no longer be available to meet with you or be in your temple. Please do not contact them any more.  We are in the middle of bible study.  They are my sheep.  Blessings."

Well you can imagine just what that felt like, a big ol' knife to the back.  I was so devastated.  I don't think I've ever felt quite like that in my life.  It was just awful.  It was so bizarre.  They must have received some anti information from their pastor.  I went through a lot of emotions ranging from complete anger and frustration to depression.  I love them both so much and I just didn't understand why this would happen.  But thank goodness we have the wonderful and amazing Sister Kandare!  We actually called her that night cause I was very upset.  The next day we were planning on going out with her,  so she shows up with a goodie bag for us and a wonderful talk and scriptures (some words changed :) )

Alma 17:9-10

"And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness of Wilmington, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Wilmingtonites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct."

"And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit and said unto them: Be comforted and they were comforted." 

Alma 26:27 

"Now when our hearts were depressed, we were about to turn back, behold the Lord comforted us and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Wilmingtonites, and bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success." 

This gave me so much comfort!!  I am so disappointed in what happened, but I know that I have to keep praying and fasting and we will still find success.  I ask that you all keep Leslie and Kenny in your prayers that their hearts may be softened and that they will contact us again soon. 

Now we did still have some wonderful things happen this week too!  On Tuesday we taught 6 lessons and 5 of those were Member presents!  Heck yeah.  We also saw Babbs on Tuesday and it was really, really great.  They are currently living at Mary Brown's home like I said but her house is not in the best situation.  Mary Brown's daughter is doing drugs and there are crazy people in and out of there so Ronnie and Babbs sleep in their truck :( It is awful and we are trying to find them a place to live.  But they are flat broke.  They are getting some money at the first of the month though.  Sister Hill was with us and she gave them $25.  Babbs response was something I will always remember. She became so overcome with emotion at just $25.  It is so hard to be in my position because we aren't allowed to give anyone money, but I want to help so bad and I have the ability to.  I just have to pray that the Lord will provide others to help them with those needs.  All we can do is help her on her way to coming unto Christ and receiving those blessings.  Which she will, she is amazing. 

Wednesday we went to the temple!!  It is TINY, just like Palmyra.  You walk in and the font is right there and the rooms are just so small.  It was a wonderful experience.  Our mission president and his wife joined us and there is nothing that will ever be like sitting in the celestial room surrounded by missionaries.  I finally felt some peace which was much needed since we are always go, go, going.  Thursday we had a great lesson with Rachel and her Mom at the Gothe's.  Rachel is the one who was just baptized recently! And I finally have memorized the first vision so I shared it and the spirit was so strong. Her mom was crying!! It was awesome.  I have noticed that whenever we talk about Joseph Smith the spirit comes in immediately.  That just shows the power of its truthfulness.  Saturday we watched the Women's session of conference.  It was SO good. It was over far too quickly.  I LOVED Uchtdorfs talk.  I hope ya'll go watch it cause it was so beautiful and poignant. 

Then Sunday Babbs and Mary Brown came to Sacrament!! YAY! Despite the fact that Babbs was assualted the night before!  Yeah some seriously messed up stuff happens.  Pray that they will be kept safe! and us of course.  We also had an amazing lesson with Babbs later in the day on temples.  It was so cool her eyes filled with tears when we showed her a picture and described what happens inside.  She is so elect!  I love her dearly.  Things just need to start getting better for her and her husband.  We are praying they find somewhere to live soon.  We were able to talk with her husband briefly as well and he is coming around and he said he'd be at church next week! 

Despite the set backs we experienced this week the work continues to move forward.  I am incredibly grateful for the strength I have received to endure through missionary work!  Cause it is hard work, but so rewarding.  I read my patriarchal blessing this morning and in it it says that the Lord will require me to "Be Brave.”  I have definitely had to be brave in many instances so far on my mission.  I never thought I would be here, because I never thought it was something I was capable of doing.  There are some moments where I think to myself, "I am really doing this, I am on a mission!" 

I love ya'll!

Sister Dearden 

P.S. And a HUGE THANKYOU to Chris and Jamie for the package!!! It came at the most perfect time.  I needed that! and Oreos and blue stripes??

You know me so well :)