The Worth of Souls - May 23, 2017
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Let me tell you a little something about myself: I am an introvert through and through. For the past 15 months, my assignment has been to "talk to everyone," which, lemme tell you, was extremely intimidating when I stepped on that first train in Munich. Talking to strangers? I certainly couldn't live in my little INJF bubble anymore.
After long days of being rejected by those people for whom it took so much courage to approach, I often craved nothing more than to just crawl back into my shell and be alone... novel writing or watercolor painting or 11-PM-oceanside-jogging like I used to.
But more recently on my mission, I have really been trying to see people for more than just "strangers" in a loud and crowded world. They are all beloved children of God. They are unique. They all have their own stories to tell and are full of fascinating ideas and perspectives. So much of missionary work is not about "contacting"... it's about MEETING people.
JUST A FEW OF THE INCREDIBLY INTERESTING HUMANS I'VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO ENCOUNTER THIS WEEK:
An Egyptian man who comes from a long line of Christians. He harbors a lot of resentment towards other religious groups due to the violence against Christians in his homeland. He is kind enough to pay for our ice cream at the parlor!
A very curious 15-year-old girl who stares at our name-tags. She is enchanted that Sister Woolsey comes from California and tells me my laugh "sounds like an angel." She has many questions as she follows us onto the train.
A lawyer who is friends with our Ward Mission Leader Benji. We bump into him as we are on our way to get lunch with Benji's daughter Colea; he offers to take the group of us out to a locals' restaurant and chats with us about Germany, as well as a positive experience he had with a Latter Day Saint on vacation in the States
A young Romanian guy who dreams of traveling the world. Our train is delayed 30 minutes, so we chit chat about the psycho (now-freezing) weather as we wait outside by the tracks. Turns out he lives right next door to the church, so we take the train to Singen and walk all the way to the chapel together!
a man from Kasachstan whose Russian influences led to a childhood almost entirely without religion. Now, as we teach him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ he is curious how one might grow their faith.
D&C 18:10- "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."
Gospel Principles- "We were not all alike in heaven... We possessed different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things on earth. We can learn more about our 'eternal possibilities' when we receive our patriarchal blessings.
A veil covers our memories of our premortal life, but our Father in Heaven knows who we are and what we did before we came here. He has chosen the time and place for each of us to be born so we can learn the lessons we personally need and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities."
I love you all! Remember, YOU ARE SPECIAL.
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