Hi Family and Friends!
Yes, Mom, the big storms did hit us!!! On Wednesday afternoon at about 3:30 the storm began and lasted till the next morning. We got about a foot of snow. There is supposed to be an Ice/Snow storm this week~grrr. We spent a lot of time inside this week but still had an incredible week. The Lord has truly blessed us with many miracles.
We have been praying this entire week for help in accomplishing our goals and it worked! We were able to have investigators at church and get 3 member present lessons this week and find a new investigator. This work has blessed my life so much. I can't even imagine not being able to be a missionary. The Lord is in control of this great work. There are so many choice souls whose lives have been changed because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sis, Muhlestein and I were talking the other day about the impact our missions have had on our lives. A mission is extremely hard work but very rewarding. No other time in my life am i able to devote all my time and attention to serving the Lord. All day long as a missionary we focus on th needs of other people. Our needs come second.
I'm so humbled for the outpouring of blessings that the Lord has given me this past 18 months. The people I have had the opportunity to teach have had a great impact on my life. The mission has taught me a lot about life in general. Serving others brings me so much joy. I have never been happier in my life. When things go wrong such as appointments falling through or people dropping us I trust that the Lord will bless those people and place us in the path of others He is preparing. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is real. He suffered everything for us so that we can find joy. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Book of Mormon is the "most correct of any book on earth, and a man would get nearer to God than by abiding by its precepts than by any other book." (introduction to the Book of Mormon). The Book of Mormon answers every question of the soul that we face in life. It has been a huge influence in my life. I love it!
This week Linda came to church with her kids and so did Evah!! Evah is now on date to be baptized for March 5. We are still working with Linda to prepare her for Feb 19th. Her husband is not too thrilled so we are planning on working with him. The ward is doing a great job on fellowshipping and making her feel welcome at church. Evah has never been to Church before. There is nothing better than being with an investigator at church for the first time. So many members greeted her and made her feel welcome.
On Saturday we had a miracle lesson with Angela. Early that morning Sis. Suhaka called us up and said that Angela e-mailed her asking about us. She was wanting to meet with us again. We met with her at the Suhaka's home. What a powerful lesson. I love teaching investigators in member's homes. The spirit was very strong. Angela cried as she bore her testimony on how Christ has helped her in her life. She has been reading the BOM and is enjoying it. She is very concerned about keeping the sabbath day holy. Her family owns Butler's Orchard which is a great attraction. The weekends are there busiest time. There whole philosophy is to bring families together. They do a great job. Sis. Suhaka said that she shouldn't worry to much about it and to pray for help. Angela is very interested in hearing testimonies at fast and testimony meeting. Our lesson was the first half of the Plan of Salvation. She was very attentive and asked a lot of questions. There is nothing better than having an investigator ask all of the questions. She is really trying to understand everything.
Our new investigator is Elana Aulf. She is from Russia and has been in the US for about 7 years. She went to the Visitors Center and requested missionaries and a Russian BOM. We were able to deliver it ot her. She let us right in and explained how she is looking for a church. We invited her to come this week but she didn't come. She accepted baptism when she receives an answer. She is definitely seeking for the truth.
I am so grateful for the way in which the Lord blessed us this week. I'm thankful to be serving in such a great ward who is so missionary minded. I thankful for a wonderful companion, Sis. Muhlestein, who is so diligent.
It is unreal to me that the end is so close....hard to even think about. Everything is really starting to pick up in Damascus. I love serving. I love each and every choice son and daughter of God whom we have been lead to to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thanks for everything! Have and awesome week!!!!!
Love to you alll, Sis. Bridges
