Sister Neel 5/10/21

 

youth activity!

Aye what's up everyone?! This week was absolutely amazing! 

We found a former in area book named Mely! She seemed pretty distant to want to talk with us at first but after a few calls and hearing the scriptures speak to her heart she's ready to have her own copy of the Book of Mormon!! She even gave us her friend's number who's struggling so we can share this same light with her. Eddie read and prayed about the Book of Mormon and is progressing really well! He texted us asking if we could teach him the next lesson on the spot because he loved what he was reading so much. We did a recap of the restoration and I was able to recite the first vision. Man the spirit was so strong! Eddie began tearing up and the spirit bore a powerful witness to each of us that this is the true gospel. JAW ALSO CAME TO CHURCH LAST SUNDAY!!!!! We were actually about to drop him after not having heard from him when the ZLs texted saying they finally, after 6 weeks, got a copy of a simplified book of Mormon for him. We took that as a sign God didn't want us to drop him and then the next day he texted us out of the blue asking if he could come to church!!! He invited his friend Aye Kaw who attends the chapel hill YSA ward to come since his wife was working and man was that such a special experience!! He said he wants to come back next week and have his wife come because he felt the spirit so strongly!! We are so excited!!

On Tuesday Sister Larsen and I were able to be in charge of a combined mutual activity! We thought it would be fun to take them through the day in the life of a missionary. We did a scripture chase where we would give a missionary scripture and whoever could get there first won, we did hearing the prophet's voice and played 15 talks given by the apostles or first presidency and whoever guessed them all correctly won, we did role plays where we gave each companionship a random object and they had to teach a lesson to a different companionship, we did comp unity where the first companionship to get an oreo from their forehead to their mouth without dropping it won, we had them memorize the missionary purpose, had them answer mission trivia questions such as rules with companions and what we couldn't leave the house without and had them text a friend their favorite scripture and a thought. We finished by bearing testimony about the importance of missionary work and how grateful we are to be serving with them! Such a fun and neat activity! We had several youth approach us afterwards saying that because of this activity they now wanted to serve a mission. Even leaders approached us and said we would forever be remembered in the Hillsborough ward and we will never be able to comprehend the impact we have had on their youth. I think the best part was when Bishop Kelly announced to everyone that we can now eat inside homes. All of the youth and leaders erupted into clapping and shouting for joy. The room was full of happiness and excitement and it meant the world to see the youth so excited for us! Man my heart resides in Hillsborough!!

On Wednesday we had zone council and that was one of the most spiritual conferences I've been to! Rather than focusing on basic principles, the ZLs dug deeper and helped us to realize that making eye contact with those we teach invites the spirit because it forces us to rely on what comes to mind. They had us practice by pairing us up with random missionaries and they would give us a random word such as charity and we couldn't break eye contact for that full minute while we testified about the importance of charity. Such an eye opener that the Holy Ghost truly does work in marvelous ways! They asked a few missionaries to bear their pure and simple testimony at the end and I was one of them! We all were able to stand together at the end and sing 'We will bring the world His truth' and the room felt like it was on fire. I can honestly say there's nothing like being in a room full of missionaries, some of your closest friends and relish in the work God has given us. Honestly North Carolina brings me more happiness than ever!! 

girls zone lunch

We received an interesting voice mail from Tina Marie this week. She called us several times but we weren't able to answer due to the fact we were in a lesson. We came home and listened to her recording and she wasn't one to cry but she was sobbing. She has several health problems and let us know a virus sprung up in her leg which proved to be life threatening and this wasn't the first time it had happened. The last time it did she barely made it out of the hospital alive and she had a feeling this time she wouldn't be coming back out. She told us that it was wonderful getting to know us and she feels like we are her own children. She wished us goodbye and told us she couldn't wait to see us on the other side. Now...no one wants to get a call like this, it absolutely broke our hearts. We immediately called her back and were able to talk with her for 20 mins which she in turn thanked us for being there for her and said that we bring more light and joy into her life than anyone ever has. She asked us to pray and to pray for a miracle. I knelt down that night and pleaded with Heavenly Father that He would spare her life and allow her to be healed if it was His will. The next morning Tina Marie called us and said miraculously her virus was gone and the doctor didn't need to admit her into the hospital!! How amazing is that?! I know without a doubt God hears and answers our prayers. I know that He is aware of us and mindful of our trials, shortcomings, successes and triumphs. We are blessed with a Father in heaven who loves US. He loves YOU! Prayer is powerful and a wonderful, instant connection to our heavenly home. I'm so grateful for miracles and for the opportunity we have to pray for them! God is so good! 

I love you all! 

♡♡♡

Sister Neel