It has been another great week! West Virginia and the Lord's work continue to keep me in absolute wonder.
I guess the biggest news of the week is that our investigator, Justin, died. He was the one who was in the later stages of muscular dystrophy, and so while his passing wasn't entirely unexpected, I think the timing of it caught his family by surprise. I am so grateful to have known him for the few weeks that I did, he had a really great heart. Through this experience, I have gained such a testimony of God's timing; we were able to teach him and his family about the Plan of Salvation just two days before he passed on. I can only imagine the pain they must be going through, and knowing that through the gospel of Jesus Christ, their family can be together forever must be such a huge relief, and at the perfect time. I also believe his death was part of Heavenly Father's plan for that family. Because Justin passed away, his parents will be able to participate in the gospel, (they were his 24 hr, 7 days a week caretakers before) and he will be able to be baptized by proxy in a temple. Mine and Sister Campbell's goal is to help his father and brothers get ready to perform that baptism. We went to the funeral on Thursday, and it was interesting-definitely West Virginian. Everyone but Sister Campbell and I were wearing football jerseys.
On a lighter note, we have found so many more people to teach this week! We found one couple by helping them carry their groceries into their house, and they are super funny. The husband told us that he used to make sport of the Elders in the area by inviting them in and Bible bashing them, but he apparently likes us, because he hasn't done that yet! We also have had quite a bit of success by talking to men who are working on their cars, we were able to teach two mechanics outside their houses this week.
One of the members had us over for dinner this week, and we roasted marshmallows in their backyard. Apparently I looked super contemplative as I roasted mine because my comp took a pic haha. She also tried to force feed me one.
I have gained such an appreciation for the scriptures this week! I love having an hour of scripture study scheduled in every day. I don't know how I survived all these years without it. Reading the scriptures is such an anchor when the storm gets rough, and it helps remind me why I am out here every day. And more than just bringing me peace and direction, I am learning so much! We had a lady tell us this week that she doesn't need to read the Book of Mormon again because she has a photographic memory, but I get so much out of it every time I reread. Things that I have read countless times before take on new meaning and nuance the millionth time I read them. They truly are from Heavenly Father, no man could have made these up.
I love you all!
Sister Ward
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