dear those who care more about
a successful snowflake to mouth maneuver than the possible negative
effects of the public-ness of such an action,
Elder
Gill and i have seen some great miracles this last week. one of my
favorites is the fact that we finally began teaching mark again this
last week. he's been going through some difficult family challenges over
the last month or so and hasn't been able to meet with us because of
it. on monday however we decided to stop by him again and we found him
in! as he opened the door he greeted us with a smile and invited us in.
as we asked him about how he was doing he told us about the challenges
that he's been facing and all the doubts and fears that have been
weighing him down since the last time we saw him. for the most part we
just sat there and listened to him as he expressed his concerns. as i
listened i wondered what could i possibly do to help this man through
his challenges. as he finished speaking he looked at us as we sat in
silence for a few moments, me not knowing what to say, him waiting for a
response. i began speaking, not really knowing what i was going to say
but, as they always do, the words came. we spoke for some time about our
heavenly father and about the incredible power of prayer. he told us
that he recognized that he needed god in his life and he committed to
begin praying at least every morning and every night. i've been
impressed with this, and other situations, where i've learned that
missionary work is really just what friends do for each other. i've had
hundreds of conversations like this one both before my mission and
during my mission. where we as friends can talk together and where i, as
a member of the restored church of Jesus Christ can share what i know
to be the solutions to all of life’s problems and challenges. there’s
really nothing weird, pushy, or selfish about sharing yourself and your
experiences with a friend in need. that’s what friends do. that's what
makes friends friends. we called him later in the week to see how his
daily prayers had been helping him and he told us that not only had he
been praying every morning and every night but that he's been praying
multiple times throughout the day, in fact every time that he felt down
or negative or his load seemed too much for him he's been praying and
he's seen and immense difference in both how he's felt and how he's been
able to face his challenges. and this is the kind of experiences where
you feel true joy. in seeing someone you care about finding joy and
peace for themselves and knowing that you've been able to play some
small part in them finding that help.
other
than this we've had some great miracles in out teaching this week. a
lady named Jenny, who has dyslexia, began reading the book of mormon
this last week and came to church. she told us that she was able to
focus better and learn more than at any other church that she's been to
before.
we also had a
less active named briget fry come out to church this last week for the
first time in nine years. we walked with her to the church. the entire
time up there she kept on telling us how nervous she was and how scared
she was to go back in the building. as soon as she walked in the door no
less than three members of the ward that recognized her jumped on her.
hugging her and welcoming her back. after the meeting she told us that
she felt like she had returned home. i found great pleasure in telling
her that she has.
there really is nothing better than this work. nothing has ever made me happier. i''ve never been happier.
thank
you all for your love and support. i wouldn't be out here right now if
it wasn't for all that you all have done for me throughout my life in
helping me get to this point.
With love
Elder Jarman
ps. i've recently began crafting my own herbal teas. inasmuch i have graduated from tea enthusiast to tea senai!
(actually
it’s just sliced ginger root with lemon and lime squeezed in and a
member gave me the recipe so it's not actually that impressive. . . but
still!!)
pps. i knocked on an igloo two days ago. no joke :)
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