Testimony; Part Two

I can't even decide where to start today! There are so many great things happening in the TSAM! 

I guess some of the biggest news is a mission conference on May 20. Why is it so big? I quote President Slaughter when I say "Technology will come soon thereafter." I'll let that one sink in there for a little bit. :) 

Some exciting things happened in Zilker Park this last week! 

Michael and Matthew finally decided on a date that they will be baptized. How great is that? They're such great kids! :) 

We also met a lot of new people who are so ready and prepared! Talking to people is getting easier, especially after realizing that if you don't talk to them, they won't know what they're missing! Getting doors slammed in my face isn't quite as scary as I thought it would be. Some day they'll be ready! 

One of the people we met while preaching by the way is Armando. He's so great! He even called us to set up an appointment! We set him with a baptismal date in a couple weeks! He asks great questions and even teaches himself sometimes! One thing he said that I absolutely loved was "Why would someone write a book about Christ if it's not true? They wouldn't." It's so true! :) 

This week we had an interesting experience. I won't go into too many details, but we found ourselves in a teaching situation with someone who just didn't want to listen. They said some things that attacked what we believe and didn't leave very much room for us to say anything to defend ourselves. Anything we said was immediately contradicted. At a loss for words, I sat there awkwardly, waiting for Sister Montclair to give the word to leave gracefully. 

There's a sentence in Preach My Gospel that I have read and thought about and had repeated to me so many times I can't even count, but until that very moment, I hadn't experienced the power of it. There have been many times that I've had the opportunity to bear testimony and really felt the Spirit, but after this lesson, I felt that I really, truly understood this statement: "People may sometimes intellectually question what you teach, but it is difficult to question a sincere, heartfelt testimony." 

The woman we were talking to continued to attempt to argue, and I sat in my chair, biting my tongue, willing the Spirit to return to the room- or at the very least wanting to be able to return to a place where the Spirit was. It was then that Sister Montclair spoke up and bore a simple testimony, cutting the woman off. "Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and did nothing but labor in behalf of the Lord." She went on to explain that we would love to serve the woman in any way that we could, but we really needed to be going. We said a prayer and left. Looking back on that, I don't think the woman said very much after that powerful testimony. Preach My Gospel has it right! There's no questioning a testimony! 

Having a testimony is so important in today's world, and sharing your testimony is one of the best ways to make your's stronger! But always remember: "Powerful testimony is not dependent on eloquence or the volume of your voice but on the conviction of your heart." (Preach My Gospel is pretty great, right?) Your testimony can just be a simple statement of truth, but it will invite the Spirit and strengthen you, as well as those around you. 

Never be afraid to share what you know is true! :) 

Love, 

Sister Waite

P.S. It's exciting to watch those I meet here in Texas take steps toward the Celestial Kingdom, but even more dear to my heart is hearing of family taking those same steps. My Grandma was baptized and confirmed this weekend! That just makes me so happy! I love her to death! :)