"And there began to be (Wo)men inspired from heaven and sent forth (to northern Virginia), standing among the people in all the (neighborhood) land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people (amongst Mitch and his friends), and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings." -3 Nephi 6:20
Yesterday was too cool! We went and visited a part member that is interested for us to come back! We asked if any one in the area could use a message of Jesus Christ. So he sent us to the next door neighbor that had a near death experience recently, then he noticed the barbecue going on down the street, he knew those people! So we went to the next door neighbor who had a near death experience and no one was home. Then we kept walking down the road to and I asked sister Topham, are we going to talk to all of them? is there anyone that stands out? and she was like okay lets talk to them all. The people on the sidewalk were passing around a football and we mentioned to throw the ball to us and then he did and we caught the attention of all the others on the lawn on their lawn chairs! They asked us where we were from and they thought Utah, but they were wrong... haha. Sister Topham guess that one person was from Arizona and got it right. Then the said they would listen to us since we guessed where she lived. We shared 3 Nephi 11:10,11 and they all went pretty quiet and listened! there were about 13 adults there listening to us. They all, at the end, said thank you for all that you do! It was so awesome!
What a week it has been! Brother Gant is moving slowly but surely to baptism! What a funny guy! He finally remembered the chapter we gave to him to read and he recalled what it said in our lesson and told us what he liked, it was awesome!! He came to church and talked to everyone what he has been learning that week with us! hahah what a guy.
We met a lady named Jan! what a sweetheart she is! She talked about how when people just believe in Jesus Christ in their heart they are saved. I very kindly yet lovingly and boldly basically said no that's not really how it works. you must be baptized by someone who holds the authority of God! She asked a question about how she was baptized as a baby and asked, "Does that not work?" and I said did you get to choose to follow God when you were a baby? she said "No" and I said well we do need to consciously make that decision to God to tell him we are willing to be his! She took it very well! after that lesson sister Topham goes "WAY TO GO SISTER!!" you told her how it was! IN that lesson I also continued to say, This is the Church of Jesus Christ, restored to it's natural frame! haha I had read the "Why 1820" from a Ricks College devotional that morning.. it talked about why God would have His church restored the year 1820! Check it out, it is great!! :)
From the BBQ and the continuing of lessons with Brother Gant and the lesson we had with Jan, you can truly see the gospel of Jesus Christ and His spirit soften the the people! With the BBQ we just got to know the people and they got to know us and then once they understood what we were doing they started to nail us with questions and doubting's! How cool it was to see this from our perspective! As they had these people mocked/dis-regarded our beliefs, but as we started to stand and testify of the divinity of the Savior visiting those in America and the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, they started to back down and stop! We testified to 13 adult strangers asking us questions and staring at us, what a remarkable experience that was! With brother Gant, his sister and her family are pretty against the church! Yet he continues to come to our church and stay faithful and read the Book of Mormon! Jan sees that when every we come and she is home, it is inspired of God and she is still grieving of the death of her mother!
I love these people so much! Love is truly the only way to help one another and to lay aside contention! How grateful I am to be here in Northern Virginia, I couldn't imagine it any different! :) The Gospel of Jesus Christ is real, Jesus Christ lives today, He loves us all so much that our eyes can not comprehend the amount! As you search to find His voice in every step. Learn of his love for you and those around you. It will come to blow your mind and be amazed! Never step down in your testimony of the Savior or any testimony witnessing of Him. He will truly give light and discernment to ones path. No matter what you think. He is the way, and there is no other way in heaven! Keep your head held high, your a son or daughter of Him who is the greatest of all. Never back down. You are loved.
If that's not enough to fill my heart, I don't know what is. May the Light of Christ shine continually in your lives, and in the lives of those you know!
3 Nephi 11:11 "I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning."
Keep spreading the light and never let it fade! Its 10000% worth it!
Love Always,
Sister Chaffin <3
