Whew! What a week, what a week!
This week, I got a new companion who brought fire and zeal into this area! Her name is Hermana McKay, she's from Draper Utah, she's been out 4 months, she got her associates degree at Utah Valley University before she came out, and she's the middle child of 5. She's an amazing missionary!
We saw many miracles this week! We went out to Coronado in Rio Rancho on Saturday. We did some street contacting and found two new investigators that way! One of them even met with missionaries before in California! His name is Jeremy and his wife has some medical problems. He wants to meet with us and is excited about learning more!
I'm excited to work HARD these last six weeks! I have a feeling it's gonna be great.
Nothing happens in missionary work until we find someone to teach. You can't teach or baptize if there is no one to do it. As Full-Time Missionaries, we're ALWAYS finding - asking for referrals, talking to everyone. That's why Hermana McKay is so effective, I feel like. The members are the best way to find, because they can support those they refer to the missionaries through the teaching process. Here's a few thoughts about starting a gospel conversation.
- Don’t force gospel conversations; let them happen naturally. When you force a gospel conversation because you feel obligated to do missionary work, people will know and that will turn them off. I noticed that when I was a greenie, and it's been a recurring theme since then.
- Study the scriptures. President Eyring said: “Prepare to share [the gospel] by filling your mind every day with the truths of the gospel.” I can't even tell you all the times we've shared with someone a scripture we read that same morning during studies.
- Carry gospel materials with you. I remember a sacrament meeting talk where a sister described how she likes to take a fresh copy of the Book of Mormon on the bus with her so if someone asks about it, she can give it to them. Missionaries are also willing to share our handy dandy cards with you!
- Pray for opportunities to share the gospel. Heavenly Father is preparing people like Jeremy all around us. He will lead them to the Gospel through us if we ask for it! Pres. Eyring again: “God will put prepared people in the way of His prepared servants who want to share the gospel. How often it happens depends on the preparation of your mind and your heart.”
A few tips and tricks:
- Compliment them! People want to feel loved, and to feel good about themselves. Open a gospel conversation by raising the person’s self-esteem. Smile REAL big. Example: "Would you be so kind as to tell me your thoughts about the purpose of life?" With this question you label the person as kind; they'll begin acting that way. That's something my dad taught me even before the mission!
- Try to notice what's important to them and relate that to a gospel topic. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: “Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen.” People like talking about things that are important to them - usually their family, their hobby, or their car, at least here in Albuquerque. Look for clues, like little kid bikes, to help you know how to begin talking with people. "Hey, you have a big family?! I love big families! In fact, here's a picture of MY family!" Open a gospel conversation based on THEIR interests.
- Just go for it and let the Spirit flow. Ask things like: “What makes you happy?” Get curious about them. Elder Holland otra vez: “When the Lord delivers this person to your view, just chat – about anything. You can’t miss. [I like that part] You don’t have to have a prescribed missionary message. Your faith, your happiness, the very look on your face is enough to quicken the honest in heart. People do not join the Church because of what they know. They join because of what they feel, what they see and want spiritually. Our spirit of testimony and happiness in that regard will come through to others if we let it.”
Love you lots! More to come next week!
Hermana Smurthwaite
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