March 11, 2013

Dear Family,

 

Last Tuesday we had more snow and a few of our appointments were cancelled :( On Wednesday we had exchanges with the Spanish Sisters serving in Des Moines. That evening I was paired up with Sister Abellan, a Sister who is from Spain and who serves in the Temple Square Mission but whom is here for a few months. We had a lesson with Raelyn scheduled for that night and my companion and I had decided to teach Tithing. In the afternoon I received a call from my companion who had visited briefly with this ward member family and they felt that Raelyn wasn't ready to learn about tithing yet. After taking a few moments to ponder this I felt that it would be best to maintain the trust of our ward members by teaching about the Book of Mormon as they had suggested. During our lesson that night we found out that Raelyn was in 1 Nephi 15 and that she had a few questions about the Tree of Life. She had a good understanding of it, but we were able to add to it. I was explaining how the rod of iron was the word of God and that scriptures are the word of God and as we read them we can stay on the path and not fall. Hermana Abellan asked a very inspired question at just the right moment. She asked, "Do you believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God?" To which Raelyn said with great confidence, "Yes"!! The spirit was so strong at this time and we were all so excited for her that she had come to this realization. The ward member who was present was so thrilled as well to hear her friend say this. This testimony of the Book of Mormon had come because she was reading the scriptures, praying and coming to church. We are so excited for Realyn! We continue to pray for her husband that his heart will be softened. In talking with the ward member, Bro Boucher, he said he visited with Raelyn's husband Damion and he will meet with us when he's ready, but he's not at that point right now. They both have their eyes set on the temple though!

On Friday we had a church presentation with a less active sister in the ward who wants her daughter to be baptized. We had our Relief Society President join us and she was excited because she had never done one on her mission or been to one before. It went very well and the spirit could be felt so strong in the chapel and as all three of us bore our testimonies. Sister England was able to invite her to be baptized and she was so excited. We have a return appointment with her this week!

During fast and testimony meeting yesterday, Sister Petersen (our Relief Society President) and Bro Boucher (neighbor of Raelyn) both bore their testimony and Sister Petersen shared her experience from Friday and Bro Boucher talked about missionary work. Another exciting thing that happened at church is that two Ordinance Workers from the Winter Quarters Temple were visiting our ward yesterday and they both bore their testimony and it was so special to have Raelyn hear from them.

We are continuing to meet with Angie as well and hope to see her at church in our ward this next week. We don't have a set date scheduled yet, but are hoping for some time in April.

The work is continuing to move forward and we are so excited to join in the harvest! We are working hard to meet our goals and to bring souls unto Christ.

I love you all and pray for each one of you. May you feel the love of your Heavenly Father each day as you go about serving others and sharing your light.

Love,

Sister Tucker