Hard work pays off!

So if there is one thing I can remember about this week it is paint, paint and more paint! Since last Monday, I have been using every spare minute to paint this massive canvas that Sister Zapanta entrusted me with. Just a few weeks ago, she announced that they would be doing a "proselyting by arts" gallery and that all the missionaries with skills in arts were invited to participate. 

So naturally, when I got this news I was excited and immediately let Sister Zapanta know that I wanted in. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE to paint! But it has been quite a while and so when I agreed to paint the canvas, I was feeling just a little bit nervous.

Since then, I have been struggling to find the time to finish my painting before the art gallery. At first, I was a little stressed about it, but since I have started, I have actually had a lot of fun with the canvas! Up until now, I hadn't realized how much I missed the feeling of having paint on my hands and slowly watching as your hard work starts to pay off. Now I just need my mom to be here, telling me I am making too big of a mess and the picture would be complete! 

Speaking of watching your efforts pay off, I felt our efforts of a hard-working week pay off again as we finally achieved our goal to have 15 investigators attend sacrament meeting.

To be honest, I remember feeling pretty discouraged at the beginning of this week as I reviewed our investigators and wondered how we were going to help them to baptism. To be honest though, it actually ended up being this moment of discouragement that helped us to achieve our goals, because it was that discouragement that drove me to pour out my heart and soul this week in prayer, asking Heavenly Father to help us find those that are ready to receive this message. Because of that prayer, I feel like I was better able to see and feel the potential of each of our investigators and the messages they needed to hear seemed to come more easily, readily, and naturally.

Since I have started my mission, I think that is one of the things that has changed the most about me: my ability to recognize and respond to the spirit. Before, it seemed like try as I might, it was hard to figure out what the Holly Ghost wanted me to say. But as I have learned to recognize and come to know that still and small voice, it has gradually become easier. And now, looking back over the past 9 months, I am so grateful for the influence it has had throughout my mission and everything my Father in Heaven has done to help me push through.

Now I can say that I know God really does love us, and he has a plan. He speaks to and guides each of His children, and if we really want and diligently seek His help, he will always be there. He might not always come when or how we expect--because God works in mysterious ways--but He will come and stand by us every step of the way.

Just as in the story where Jesus walks on the water out to Peter (Matthew 14:22-33). In this story, Peter and the other apostles had been tossed about on the sea and rowing for dear life for almost the entire night before Jesus came to their aid. And when Jesus finally did come, the apostles mistook him for some greater terror at first and were afraid. "But straightaway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (v.27) and immediately, the apostles recognized His voice and allowed Him to help.

I know that Christ always does the same for us. First, he allows us to try our own hand, or to "row for ourselves" for a while, without immediately taking away the problem. This allows us to stretch our muscles a little bit and grow, becoming more prepared to face even bigger winds and more vicious storms in the future. Second, when He does come to help us, often times it can be hard to recognize The Savior's saving hand in the midst of hard trials. That is why it is so important for us to develop a relationship with Christ when the sea is still calm and life is easy. So that like the apostles, we will immediately recognize the saving voice of Christ and accept His help more readily when things get rough.

I know that Christ will always be there to help us when we call out to Him. I felt that so many times this past week. Like for example, when we spent 10 min. trying to convince an investigator to come to church this week. I could feel that we were so close to convincing him! And felt almost as though we were begging as we tried to come up with a way to show him that he really NEEDED to come! 

Finally, when we were just about to give up, I desperately asked "Just 5 min. Brother! Just come for 5 min and then you can leave. We know you are busy, we understand. So just give 5 min. and I promise that the Lord will bless you. It will be worth your time!"

After an excruciating moment of silence, he agreed! And we agreed to come get him the following morning for church.

The next day, I was surprised when he brought his entire family for 5 min at sacrament meeting. I remember that on the way to church, I said a little prayer in my head, begging Heavenly Father to touch his heart and help him while we were there.

I think that prayer and our effort payed off when that 5 min. turned into the entire sacrament meeting!

I am so grateful for the help Heavenly Father has given and the hearts that he has touched since I have been here on a mission. I am just grateful to get to be a part of it all. :)

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Sincerely,

Sister Matheny