Family and Friends!!!
How has everyone's week been? I hope all of
you who had Spring Break this week enjoyed your wonderful week off!!
This week in Pembroke has truly been amazing!
On
Monday night, we went over to see the Oxendine's. We had felt inspired
to go earlier than we had planned to, but weren't %100 sure if that was
what we should do. So, we went to Wal-Mart to hand out an Easter
Initiative card. Once we found someone and gave it to them, we headed to
the Oxendine's. When we got there, their daughter Mary and her daughter
Paris were there. We had met them in the past and they had wanted to
listen to more of our message, but we had never been able to get up with
them. That night, we had planned to teach the Plan of Salvation because
we felt that was what they needed right now. As we shared the Plan of
Salvation with them and the idea of forever families and the three
kingdoms of glory, a very strong spirit entered the room. Mary began to
cry and was overjoyed to know that she could be with her husband again
(he was killed a couple of years ago). The entire family told us that
they had always wondered why God would put us in families here and not
intend for us to be with them after this life. They were all so
overjoyed!! We extended a baptismal invitation to Mary and Paris and
they accepted!! Saturday night, we went over to teach the Oxendine's
again. This time, we had planned to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As
we were talking with them, they talked about some word of wisdom issues
they have and said that they wanted to quit but never felt like God was
telling them too. Sister Herr and I both got very strong spiritual
impressions that we needed to teach the Word of Wisdom and so we did. We
weren't even planning to teach this lesson for like another week! I was
nervous that it would "scare" them away, but it didn't!! They accepted
to begin overcoming their addictions! Kenneth and Layla were
apprehensive about handing over their contraband, so I told them that if
they would quit cold turkey, I would stop drinking soda. We told them
we would come back Sunday night and discuss it more. Sunday morning,
they came to church!!! They missed sacrament meeting, but they made it
for the last two hours and loved it!! That night, we went over and
talked about faith. We had some soda in our fridge that a member had
given us so we took it to their house and gave it to them to show them
we meant business. Layla was really tired and fell asleep, so we talked
with Kenneth and Porchia. As we talked with Kenneth, he was still very
hesitant about handing over his last cigarette. We told him that if he
acted in faith, God could then help him even more. So, Kenneth stood up
and went to find his last cigarette. Unfortunately he misplaced
it.....or God made it disappear haha. Anyways, he was still so willing
to change for God! It was so amazing to watch!! I seriously love this
family so much!!! I can't wait for them to feel the amazing feeling you
get as you use the Atonement of Jesus Christ and truly repent! I just
love seeing them so happy!
Overall, this week
my testimony of the Spirit was strengthened. I am so grateful for the
Holy Ghost and the guidance that he gives each of us! I still struggle
with recognizing the Spirit, but when I do recognize it, it's truly
amazing!!! I would get no where on my mission and in life if I didn't
have the Holy Ghost to guide me.
D&C 11:12
"And
now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit
which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge
righteously; and this is my Spirit."
Have a great week!! I love you all!
Love,
Sister Paynter
We got to go to Airlie Gardens in Wilmington again!! It was just as beautiful as last time!!!
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