Monday, February 24, 2014

Ahhh, simple pleasures

2/17/14

Yo hello family and friends!
Its been a terrific week, Im happy to report that myself and my companion are alive and well today! My companion has been a bit under the weather now and again this week but seems to be alright today, thankfully! We had to stay inside for valentines day because he was sick, so that was a bit of a bummer.... first time to spend and entire day inside the apartment. anyways, glad he is back on his feet :)
Ok, I've gotta report on the greatest thing that has happened to this mission since it's been created.

.. Seriously, it will dramatically improve the work here. Im talking big time changes... :) We got Plastic Porch/ Lawn chairs with ARMRESTS for new evening study chairs!! ahh, its so awesome! :) now, when we are exhausted in the evening, we can now sit and be comfortable while we study late into the evening. its a miracle. studying has never been so easy and comfortable in Liberia! :)
Also, we are so grateful that the Berretts made it back to LIB safely... although all their luggage, 4 suitcases, are missing. looks like elder Berrett might be wearing the same outfit for the next year straight! oh wait... he already does just like the rest of us elders... :) anyways, we're praying that their gear finds it here safely soon!
We had a terrific zone conference this past week which Elder Curtis attended. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing his counsel and instruction to us furthering our understanding of how to work with the spirit more effectively. It was wonderful! I was richly edified and taught from on high. We also were randomly chosen for him to inspect our apartment conditions, so i enjoyed guiding him through our Liberian apartment with candle light/ flashlight. No mice scurried across the floor and our cockroach extermination the day before seemed to hold for the inspection :) too easy!
One wonderful experience we had recently was coming into contact with one of the sweetest girls here in Liberia. She will be baptized this coming saturday. Her story is one full of tender mercies from the Lord. It doesnt look like I have time to share all, but ill try what i can. She called us off the street one day as we were passing by. Often, when a group of young people call us off the street they rudely ask for free stuff like pamphlets or "books", often times mistaking us for Jehovah's Witness' and wanting the "watch tower". Despite the odds, we decided to turn back and visit them even though we were in a rush. We instantly noticed L, in a wheelchair chopping up soap in the corner, who expressed desires to come to church. We briefly introduced ourselves and the church and taught the importance of keeping the sabbath day holy while inviting them to church. L. promised to come, but said she needed someone to come push her in her wheelchair. We anxiously volunteered and were absolutely shocked when we arrived the next morning to carry her and she was READY! (for a liberian... thats a big deal, to be ready on time)
She has never missed a Sunday since that meeting. I believe it has been 4 or 5 weeks, ourselves pushing her a few times while one of her newly found friends from young women's takes her the others. while walking that first sunday, she said she had never been to church, but that God told her she needs to come to THIS one, so thats why she called us off the street that day. While teaching her, she immediately accepted everything we taught as fact while also receiving a wonderful testimony through prayer that the restoration indeed happened and that Joseph Smith is indeed the Lord's relator in these last days. She can't read too well because her father abandoned her but she taught herself through sheer willpower to read small, and so she studies the BOM and pamphlets we give her often. Yesterday was her baptismal interview and rarely have I seen someone so converted to the Lord and repentant. She is indeed a miracle!
It is so wonderful that we were able to be led to this sweet and wonderful spirit of our Heavenly Father. Often, we would see her as a single family member with no one to support her in her efforts to follow the church, but the Lord provided wonderful young women to befriend her instantly! I truly believe the Lord needed this beautiful daughter of His to be loved and taken care of in His church, so he sent us to her. what a miracle!
Life is good! thank you for your wonderful emails this week family, cant wait to finish reading them :) i got a few letters in the mail this week when my comp. was ill, so hope they make it to ya'll soon! lots of love,
elder fairwell

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