One of my favorite parts of this week was our Book of Mormon class with Shaila. As of like two weeks ago, we started doing a weekly Book of Mormon class where we read a chapter and discuss parts of it with Shaila and whoever else comes. We had an awesome class this week. Shaila, a member, and two of the Elders from the area came and we read the end of 1 Nephi 17. After that, things kinda went all over the place, which often means it was guided by the Spirit. For me, the highlight was hearing the Elders and member tell and testify to Shaila the same things that we have been trying to tell her since we met her, about the imperfection of people yet God's
Another miracle of that night was that Raegan, Shaila's 7 year old daughter who is normally really shy, ran off and played with the activity day girls while we had the class. It was really neat! Definitely a little miracle. Along with this, Shaila and Raegan were able to stay for all three hours of church on Sunday, something that they haven't done before because Raegan always wants to leave before going to her primary class. She had a great time and ran out of class to show us the cute doll cut out she had colored. :)
In other news, I think that Hermana Eastman and I qualify as certified floorboard painters and fabric movers after our service experiences this week. I am developing talents I never knew I needed.
So, I don't like Jello. I rediscovered that this week at Lily's house when she brought out a very full bowl of dark purple grape flavored Jello for each of us. I fought valiantly to eat as much as I could, and walked out feeling like a gorda. But, it was a really neat lesson with Lily. She is progressing, even if it is slowly. This last week she read 1 Nephi 1-2 on her own, and then we read 1 Nephi 3 with her. We know that as she continues to read, she will be converted and develop greater desires to change. It's so neat to see her progress from the first time we met with her.
I found a super awesome quote this week.
"We can gratefully accept that we are His greatest handiwork, even though we are a work in progress." (Elder Gerrit W. Gong; Becoming Perfect in Christ)
I love this. It reminds me of Ether 12:27.
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weaknesses. I give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
I was thinking about this idea of weaknesses this week. It doesn't seem very nice for God to give us weaknesses. Like, "Okay kids, you are going to go to earth and be really bad at ____, good luck". That just doesn't seem like a loving Heavenly Father to me. So I was thinking about it. God gives us weaknesses so that they can become strengths. Basically, He gives us lots of "potential strengths" when we think about it that way. And how cool is that? God knows our potential. So He gives us lots of potential strengths. That's what He sees when He looks at us. Even though we might feel like struggling little fish on dry land sometimes, God sees that we have the potential to become great. So instead of saying, "Okay kids, you are going to go to earth and be really bad at ____, good luck." He is saying, "I am sending you with the potential to be an incredible _____. I know you can do it, and I am here to help all along the way." How cool is that? God is the best.
Anyway, on that note, I love you all ever so much and I wish you a lovely week!
Hermana Clark