Querido Familia,
This was posiblemente the busiest week ever! If we only talk about the meetings we had it went from interviews on Tuesday. 12-6, district meeting wed, MLC Thursday 9-3:30 (in Mill Creek), weekly planning Friday, stake conf. sat, stake conf part 2 sun, and here we are again. So overwhelming on that aspect. BUT, I have never seen more miracles in a single week on my mission.
I believe I mentioned a woman named Jessica last week, who asked us to come to her house. Well we did with Clay Tenney, and she had already read the first half of the pamphlet we gave her, and her 9 year old son had tons of wonderful questions about God. So we taught her about the Restoration, and explained how she can get an answer from God, but she was having a struggle praying. She said "I feel like every time I go to say something my throat hurts, like if it is getting tied up" so we told her about all of Joseph Smith's experience. Her son then gave a wonderful simple prayer, and she was teary and gave a prayer asking for our Heavenly Father to take away the bad and the fear she felt, and there was so much power behind her words. Jessica is possibly the most prepared person I have ever met, and I'm super excited to teach her this coming week.
We also were finally able to get into contact with a referral from a member here in Mt. Vernon, and we taught her and her husband, Margarita and Elias. At the end of our lesson she prayed and felt the spirit really strong and when we asked she said that she would be baptized once she found out if this is true. She is also way prepared.
Last Saturday night President and Sister Bonham gave a wonderful fun talk in Stake Conference. They gave a demonstration of how to get out of the issue that lots of members have in wanting to invite someone to learn about the church, or have a gospel conversation, but don't know how to start it. Then they demonstrated up on the stand having a lot of fun, how they can practice at home. Practice before your game, practice before your recital, so why not practice before you talk with someone? It makes the nerves go about as far down as the dead sea.
Especially after this week I know that the key to missionary work is the members. I promise that if you practice/prepare then God will help us all in our own missionary efforts.
Love you all and make your own sunshine!
Elder Phillips
