Restoration Crew

Well we had a good week out here. I will keep saying this but time is sure going by quick I can't believe it. This week zoomed by. Just trying to make the most of what's left. 

 

I was able to see the hand of the Lord this week through Facebook! so about 3 weeks ago we knock on this apartment door and a lady answered and told us she wasn't interested. We now flash forward to this week where we get a Facebook referral. A guy named Stephen reached out and wanted to learn more. We show up to his apartment and realize that 3 weeks ago they told us they were not interested. What do we do? Knock anyways. Stephen answered the door and is absolutely amazing. Like you can't make this stuff up. We were teaching about the restoration of the gospel and he goes. "Ohhh just like restoring an old car or a run down house" we go yeah pretty similar. He then goes "Hey babe these guys are going to restore me, we got the restoration crew in the house" it was awesome. He was highlighting scriptures we shared with him and just really seeking to change his life. He unfortunately is facing some family opposition right now so I ask if you could all unite in prayer for Stephen! 

 

This week I also had my departing interview with president Botchway which was really bitter sweet. I can't believe 2 years have gone by, its just so wild but anyways. I have been blessed with 2 mission leaders out here. Both with 2 totally different leadership styles but both have a strong love for their Savior. The way President Botchway reaches out you can tell it is with love, very grateful for his example to me. 

 

I have felt like I should share some scriptures that really hit me this week. It will be kinda long so bear with me. 

 

Alma 29:1-3

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!  

2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. 

3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

 

Right here we hear the prayer and wish of Alma as he desires to bring people unto Christ. This is something that took me way too long to figure out. I would always wrestle with comparing myself to other missionaries. "Why are they teaching more, why can't I use scriptures that well, I want a different companion, I want a new area...." things that you simply have very limited control over. But it is simply trusting in the Lord in good times and bad. We don't just get to have faith when we want to. So just as Alma, sometimes I wish in vain. But over these 2 years I have been filled with gratitude for the things God has given me. I now could never "wish" to have served anywhere else in the world. I love the people I get to meet, I give thanks unto my God for He has been patient with me and brought me unto my Savior! 

 

Love 

-Elder Esplin