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| Sister Irish, Sister Mariel, Sis Soulier, Sister Ganiat |
Now this is a story that I hope to remember for the rest of my life.
Okay. Um...do you remember the advice you gave me dad? Testify boldly
with power? And mom do you remember the other advice you gave me? Have
faith and work by the Spirit? Okay. Sister brown and I are putting
both of these to the test right now. Absolutely to the test. Out of
the comfort zone for sure. One of the reasons I hope I remember this
story for awhile.
But let's give some background first.
One day Sister Brown and I get a referral. The referrals name is John
and he lives 33 Kimberly gardens. Great we are excited to go visit
him! We call him and schedule an appointment. Unfortunately the day
of, John called us and said he would be at work until late but might
come home early." sister brown in her infinite wisdom says, "why don't
we just go visit his home? We might as well try." I agreed and off we
went.
Sister brown and I got to the home without too much difficulty and
knocked on the door. A man name Kyriacos answered the door. We asked
him if John was home but Kyriacis said no one by that name lived
there. Ummm...okay that is strange. But Kyriacos held the door open a
minute longer and we were able to talk to him about the gospel for a
bit. He opened up a bit abut his life and talked about how he is going
through a hard time. We testified to him that the gospel of Jesus
Christ had been restored and that he could find everlasting comfort in
this message. During our step in lesson Kyriacos kept saying, please
come in! Can we talk more?" Unfortunately we couldn't come in because
he was the only person living in the flat. After reading and
introducing the Book of Mormon, we left him with a copy and scheduled
a return appointment for that following Thursday. Sister brown and I
left, happy to have found a new investigator right before call ins as
it was Sunday night.
It felt like a good lesson, but nothing too special. Throughout the
week we confirmed with him, found a member, and prepared to see
Kyriacos on Thursday.
The Thursday lesson was, well, really spiritual. Kyriacos is in
40's-50's and is from Cyprus. He is Greek Orthodox but not fully
practicing. He is going through a divorce right now and has two
daughters (9 and 3). We began talking and the conversation went well.
It was actually incredible. I can't fully put down what happened this
past week with meeting with Kyriacos, but I will try. He began to open
up about his life. He began to tell us things that he said he has
never told anyone. Because of selfish motivations his wife has tried
to cut him off from his kids and often puts herself first before his
daughters. His daughter had gone through the hospital due to mental
handicaps and Kyriacos gave up his job to watch over his daughters
while his wife decided to pursue her career. He said a lot more
things. Things that he had been searching for, different fears or
difficulties he has. This man that we had met a few days before began
to cry before us. He said I know God loves us, but why would he put us
through these things? He said, before I met you (to sister brown and
I), I turned away every religion or group that came to my door. And a
lot came to my door! Jehovah witness or any other factions I have
turned them all away. But this time it's different and I don't
understand. Kyriacos looked at us and said, "when I saw you two and
started talking to you, something told me I had to listen. And I don't
know what it is, and I don't know why I feel like that. And I don't
know why I feel like that now."
The spirit was undeniably there.
We told Kyriacos that we were called as representatives of Christ and
that we have power and authority in what we say. We testified of the
power of the atonement and of God's love. This is where a bit of the
boldness and faith comes in. We committed Kyriacos to pray every day,
especially when he feels he can bear his burdens no longer. He said,
yes, but I've already done that every day for two years and I've heard
nothing back. He said, I go out to the church every day, I have prayed
and done my best, but it just doesn't work. Then sister brown and I,
being two 19 year old girls, told him that if he studied the Book of
Mormon right after he prayed, that a new power and strength would
begin to flow into his life. We testified as boldly as we could that
this book would start changing his life from the moment he began to
seriously study it. (An apostle promised this so I figured we were
okay to do so.) he promised he would begin studying the Book of Mormon
and we left, planning to see him again on Saturday. During he end of
the lesson he began smoking a cigarette and commented how it was one
of the few things that brought him happiness. He said he couldn't get
rid of this habit and was actually smoking 15 a day. Not good.
Saturday night was even better then Thursday. I get chills just
thinking about it. Again, I'll just write of a few things he said.
Kyriacos said, "I started reading the Book of Mormon. I didn't get
that far. I only read the introduction and to page 7." We asked him
about it. He talked of how what he learned is that there is always a
continuation of prophets. And that prophets are so important. He said,
it was the strangest thing. When he read the Book of Mormon, he felt
fully focused on the book. He said I don't know why and I can't
explain it, but I feel peace when I read the Book of Mormon. He said
the same feeling that he feels when he speaks to us, he feels from the
Book of Mormon. It was all sister brown and I could do from screaming
at the top of our lungs that it was the spirit. Instead we bit our
tongues and tried to have him figure it out for himself. Then he
shared an incredible miracle that had happened to him. He said that on
Friday, the day after we had taught him, he was taking his daughter
back to her moms house. He said its always hard to do this because he
does not get to see his daughters too often. He then looked in
amazement at us and said, "for the first time in a long long time, my
daughter told me that she didn't want to go to her moms house, but
that she wanted to stay with me. He paused for a moment and said, "my
daughter still wants me around. And I didn't feel this way before I
met you and the Book of Mormon....for the first time in a long time, I
feel hope."
We then proceeded to teach l1. It was powerful. He said throughout the
lesson, "for some reason, when you say that, I feel warm."
As you may have picked up, the Spirit is certainly working hard on
this man. Our promise is coming true. His life is changing this very
moment because of the Book of Mormon. Oh how we love it!!!
So here's when the boldness steps in. Before the lesson sister brown
and I had decided that we would ask him to be baptised but didn't feel
that we could extend a baptismal date to him. We would intstead give
him a goal of baptism and then tackle the 15 cigarettes a day problem.
During the lesson the Spirit controlled everything though. At the end
of the lesson, we asked Kyriacis if he would be wiling to follow the
saviours example and be baptised. He agreed. And I remember at this
point of the lesson sister brown looked at me and I could clearly see
what she was thinking. She had felt in her heart and mind stronger
than ever, that she should extend a baptismal date for July 17th. And
she did it POWERFULLY. Kyriacos slowly smiled and nodded yes. Sister
brown boldly looked at him and promised him with undeniable power and
authority that if he would follow our commitments, he would be ready
to be baptised July 17th. Kyriacos looked down at the cigarette he was
holding and said, "maybe by then I'll give up smoking". We told him
that was a condition for baptism. He said, "I've tried quitting before
and I can't do it." What happened next was a blur. I testified to what
sister brown had said and promised him blessings if he would keep our
commitments. Then I heard these words that somehow I said "I promise
you as a representative of Jesus Christ that you will never smoke a
cigarette after July 17th." He was a little quiet after. I was a
little surprised after. Sister brown then followed her spiritual
promptings and said, "every time you have an urge to smoke, will you
read the Book of Mormon?" He agreed.
Okay so it's not crazy bold. But now that we are out of the lesson,
I'm thinking, what did we do. We just told a man that he would go from
smoking 15 to 0 in 6 weeks by keeping commitments that come from a
book. And it seems really crazy that we were able to do that, but
really, it was all the spirit. If we had any say that lesson would
have gone a lot different.
Unfortunately Kyriacos had to go to a doctors appointment and was not
able to come to church. He talked about how he felt so bad that he
couldn't come and promised he would come the next week.
The weird thing is, we can't get ahold of John now. He is not
answering anymore. Yes, I do wonder who John is, but I know hat we
were suppose to meet Kyriacos. It says in preach my gospel either we
will be put in the elects path, or they will be out in ours. Either
way, it is absolutely true.
I'm sorry this is all but this story ate up my email time. I just had
to share it with all of you. And this will be my journal record.
Yay!!!
LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL
Sister Soulier :)
Okay. Um...do you remember the advice you gave me dad? Testify boldly
with power? And mom do you remember the other advice you gave me? Have
faith and work by the Spirit? Okay. Sister brown and I are putting
both of these to the test right now. Absolutely to the test. Out of
the comfort zone for sure. One of the reasons I hope I remember this
story for awhile.
But let's give some background first.
One day Sister Brown and I get a referral. The referrals name is John
and he lives 33 Kimberly gardens. Great we are excited to go visit
him! We call him and schedule an appointment. Unfortunately the day
of, John called us and said he would be at work until late but might
come home early." sister brown in her infinite wisdom says, "why don't
we just go visit his home? We might as well try." I agreed and off we
went.
Sister brown and I got to the home without too much difficulty and
knocked on the door. A man name Kyriacos answered the door. We asked
him if John was home but Kyriacis said no one by that name lived
there. Ummm...okay that is strange. But Kyriacos held the door open a
minute longer and we were able to talk to him about the gospel for a
bit. He opened up a bit abut his life and talked about how he is going
through a hard time. We testified to him that the gospel of Jesus
Christ had been restored and that he could find everlasting comfort in
this message. During our step in lesson Kyriacos kept saying, please
come in! Can we talk more?" Unfortunately we couldn't come in because
he was the only person living in the flat. After reading and
introducing the Book of Mormon, we left him with a copy and scheduled
a return appointment for that following Thursday. Sister brown and I
left, happy to have found a new investigator right before call ins as
it was Sunday night.
It felt like a good lesson, but nothing too special. Throughout the
week we confirmed with him, found a member, and prepared to see
Kyriacos on Thursday.
The Thursday lesson was, well, really spiritual. Kyriacos is in
40's-50's and is from Cyprus. He is Greek Orthodox but not fully
practicing. He is going through a divorce right now and has two
daughters (9 and 3). We began talking and the conversation went well.
It was actually incredible. I can't fully put down what happened this
past week with meeting with Kyriacos, but I will try. He began to open
up about his life. He began to tell us things that he said he has
never told anyone. Because of selfish motivations his wife has tried
to cut him off from his kids and often puts herself first before his
daughters. His daughter had gone through the hospital due to mental
handicaps and Kyriacos gave up his job to watch over his daughters
while his wife decided to pursue her career. He said a lot more
things. Things that he had been searching for, different fears or
difficulties he has. This man that we had met a few days before began
to cry before us. He said I know God loves us, but why would he put us
through these things? He said, before I met you (to sister brown and
I), I turned away every religion or group that came to my door. And a
lot came to my door! Jehovah witness or any other factions I have
turned them all away. But this time it's different and I don't
understand. Kyriacos looked at us and said, "when I saw you two and
started talking to you, something told me I had to listen. And I don't
know what it is, and I don't know why I feel like that. And I don't
know why I feel like that now."
The spirit was undeniably there.
We told Kyriacos that we were called as representatives of Christ and
that we have power and authority in what we say. We testified of the
power of the atonement and of God's love. This is where a bit of the
boldness and faith comes in. We committed Kyriacos to pray every day,
especially when he feels he can bear his burdens no longer. He said,
yes, but I've already done that every day for two years and I've heard
nothing back. He said, I go out to the church every day, I have prayed
and done my best, but it just doesn't work. Then sister brown and I,
being two 19 year old girls, told him that if he studied the Book of
Mormon right after he prayed, that a new power and strength would
begin to flow into his life. We testified as boldly as we could that
this book would start changing his life from the moment he began to
seriously study it. (An apostle promised this so I figured we were
okay to do so.) he promised he would begin studying the Book of Mormon
and we left, planning to see him again on Saturday. During he end of
the lesson he began smoking a cigarette and commented how it was one
of the few things that brought him happiness. He said he couldn't get
rid of this habit and was actually smoking 15 a day. Not good.
Saturday night was even better then Thursday. I get chills just
thinking about it. Again, I'll just write of a few things he said.
Kyriacos said, "I started reading the Book of Mormon. I didn't get
that far. I only read the introduction and to page 7." We asked him
about it. He talked of how what he learned is that there is always a
continuation of prophets. And that prophets are so important. He said,
it was the strangest thing. When he read the Book of Mormon, he felt
fully focused on the book. He said I don't know why and I can't
explain it, but I feel peace when I read the Book of Mormon. He said
the same feeling that he feels when he speaks to us, he feels from the
Book of Mormon. It was all sister brown and I could do from screaming
at the top of our lungs that it was the spirit. Instead we bit our
tongues and tried to have him figure it out for himself. Then he
shared an incredible miracle that had happened to him. He said that on
Friday, the day after we had taught him, he was taking his daughter
back to her moms house. He said its always hard to do this because he
does not get to see his daughters too often. He then looked in
amazement at us and said, "for the first time in a long long time, my
daughter told me that she didn't want to go to her moms house, but
that she wanted to stay with me. He paused for a moment and said, "my
daughter still wants me around. And I didn't feel this way before I
met you and the Book of Mormon....for the first time in a long time, I
feel hope."
We then proceeded to teach l1. It was powerful. He said throughout the
lesson, "for some reason, when you say that, I feel warm."
As you may have picked up, the Spirit is certainly working hard on
this man. Our promise is coming true. His life is changing this very
moment because of the Book of Mormon. Oh how we love it!!!
So here's when the boldness steps in. Before the lesson sister brown
and I had decided that we would ask him to be baptised but didn't feel
that we could extend a baptismal date to him. We would intstead give
him a goal of baptism and then tackle the 15 cigarettes a day problem.
During the lesson the Spirit controlled everything though. At the end
of the lesson, we asked Kyriacis if he would be wiling to follow the
saviours example and be baptised. He agreed. And I remember at this
point of the lesson sister brown looked at me and I could clearly see
what she was thinking. She had felt in her heart and mind stronger
than ever, that she should extend a baptismal date for July 17th. And
she did it POWERFULLY. Kyriacos slowly smiled and nodded yes. Sister
brown boldly looked at him and promised him with undeniable power and
authority that if he would follow our commitments, he would be ready
to be baptised July 17th. Kyriacos looked down at the cigarette he was
holding and said, "maybe by then I'll give up smoking". We told him
that was a condition for baptism. He said, "I've tried quitting before
and I can't do it." What happened next was a blur. I testified to what
sister brown had said and promised him blessings if he would keep our
commitments. Then I heard these words that somehow I said "I promise
you as a representative of Jesus Christ that you will never smoke a
cigarette after July 17th." He was a little quiet after. I was a
little surprised after. Sister brown then followed her spiritual
promptings and said, "every time you have an urge to smoke, will you
read the Book of Mormon?" He agreed.
Okay so it's not crazy bold. But now that we are out of the lesson,
I'm thinking, what did we do. We just told a man that he would go from
smoking 15 to 0 in 6 weeks by keeping commitments that come from a
book. And it seems really crazy that we were able to do that, but
really, it was all the spirit. If we had any say that lesson would
have gone a lot different.
Unfortunately Kyriacos had to go to a doctors appointment and was not
able to come to church. He talked about how he felt so bad that he
couldn't come and promised he would come the next week.
The weird thing is, we can't get ahold of John now. He is not
answering anymore. Yes, I do wonder who John is, but I know hat we
were suppose to meet Kyriacos. It says in preach my gospel either we
will be put in the elects path, or they will be out in ours. Either
way, it is absolutely true.
I'm sorry this is all but this story ate up my email time. I just had
to share it with all of you. And this will be my journal record.
Yay!!!
LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL
Sister Soulier :)
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