My dear mommy, Sister Howard, dies today. For all of you that don't know missionary lingo, stop freaking out. It just means she's going home. TODAY. I can't believe it. We celebrated her year mark yesterday I swear. Her parents came a little early to pick her up, so they came to Penang! It was surprising to get a call on Saturday from "Martha's mom" telling me she would see me at church the next day! But it was fun to meet them. Man she's a good missionary.
We've had a busy week. Out in the sun a lot...my feet tan lines are getting pretty sick. I pass out the second I lie down every night, and I LOVE being that busy. We were able to meet up with a less-active member of the church who hasn't been since she was baptized almost two years ago. She came to church on Sunday!! So that was a great feeling. And we finally got supplies. So now we can actually give people stuff like Book of Mormon's (it's a title lah, don't try the whole Books of Mormon thing on me).
Our lesson with J last week was awesome too. Before we could even start talking about the restoration and Joseph Smith, she wanted to ask us some questions. First, why are there so many Christian churches? Second, how can she know which one is right? Bam. So it turned out really well when we could answer those. We could just see everything clicking for her. She accepted an invitation to be baptized if she learns that it's the truth, so things are coming along.
Then we have S, M, & T. A group of Indian siblings between the ages of 10 and 18. We had an incredible lesson with them just about who Jesus Christ is and why he's important to us. It was really special to be able to tell someone about the Saviour who knew only his name before. Their parents are fine with us going to the house and teaching, but we just hope we can get the whole family interested.
Then we have another situation with P and the twins. They're 9 and 6...their parents are Hindu and don't want Christianity, but want them to learn. So we had a sweet little lesson with them, and the parents want them to go to church, but they won't take them, and we don't have a car. So it's a difficult situation, see?
Then our next Indian family, G, D, E, S, R, & I. Three generations, all sitting down and listening to the message of the restoration together. It was incredible! G is Catholic from birth but they follow Hindu in his house because D, his wife, is Hindu. D is amazing though. When we asked her to pray about Joseph Smith and whether or not God and His Son appeared to Him, she said, "I think it's true. It's too weird that you would be here if it wasn't true. You're strangers and I let you in so I think Jesus sent you to me to teach about Him." So we have high hopes for this family.
We also had another lesson with HF. It was going ok but when we introduced the Book of Mormon and asked her to read the Introduction, she said she's too lazy to read. So my heart kind of sunk. I know she will never progress or learn whether or not this is true without reading that book. So, we'll just have to help her build the desire.
Sister Wilkes and I have really been focusing on obedience lately. We're trying to go through every little rule that sometimes gets passed by or thought of as "flexible" to make sure we're having exact obedience in our companionship, basically just because we need it. We've been reminded a few times that obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. And I really think we're starting to see that. And Penang needs miracles. But we still have a long way to go to perfect obedience. I just think it's a really great thing that Heavenly Father has given us; maybe others don't see that, but I know we couldn't live without our rules over here. We'd drown. I know it's like that for every commandment Heavenly Father has given us. He knows us. You don't think he knows how you'll get the most blessings and success? It's through obedience. I'm sure of that.
Sister Norton
HFI
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