Saturday, January 28, 2012

The Refiner's Fire

This week has been a bit of just that, the refiner’s fire. For one, I never in my life thought I would have a phone call with a 68 year old woman – teaching her from the For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet?!? Seems like it should be the other way around, no?

John is as sweet as ever, just “wanting to understand” and keep apologizing for his questions. Hopefully it will click here in the future that that’s why we’re calling him & teaching him – so that he can ask us his questions! He said, “I don’t think God is up there just playin’ with tinker toys…” and he’s very right. I love sharing with others about the Plan of Salvation; the fact that we know where we came from, why we’re here & what’s in store for us after this life is amazing! What a blessing we have!

A “moment” I had this week happened while we were teaching our investigator Chris; he said, “And as he said that I got that warm, comfortable feeling you talked about and I thought, ‘OH! THIS is what she said it might feel like!’ It was awesome!” You just HAVE to smile when you hear people learning how to recognize the Spirit. Don’t take that gift for granted, it’s so special.

Spanish Marathon this week! I never would have thought that I would be calling people all over the Spanish-speaking world, inviting them to learn about the gospel! The technology we have today allows us to accomplish so much in the church! I love it! My skills have improved so much – it’s fantastic!

Friday morning we took around a group of 10 international missionaries from the MTC. Winter here at the Square is a little less-than-packed so having large groups isn’t common. I LOVED IT! I don’t know why but when we have those large groups and I get to smile, be a professional TMSQ Missionary and share the gospel with all sorts of grace & humility --- I couldn’t be happier. I feel most like myself when I take those large groups around; I’m absolutely in love with it. I can’t believe the end is so close.

Looking back over these last 18 months I can see that I have changed – but ALL for the better. I’ve truly learned to rely on God. Jesus Christ has become one of my best friends. I pray ALL THE TIME and I love it! I thought I understood prayer but I now know what a sincere prayer sounds like. Before my mission, I knew the gospel but after teaching it for so long it has become who I am. This is a sacred truth that is so close to my heart; I am who I am because of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! With so much happiness in life who can be content with keeping it for themselves? After all, sharing is the icing on the cake J

Thank you for all the love, letters & support!

It’s all true.

Sister Ainsley Despain

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Insights of the Week

I spoke with ex-member Cindy this week & she enlightened me to the idea that Satan uses the “divide & conquer” technique. All the Christian denominations are at each others' throats instead of coming together and fighting against Satan! Even though she was a tad crazy, she had a good point. I respect her a lot because she’s been working for the past 12 years to get back her membership and she wants to bring her husband with her! You go Cindy!

Even in my last transfer, yes I still struggle with making calls in the RC. I’m actually pretty successful at it – it’s just hard to dive in for me. So this week I asked my DL if I could text her at the end of everyday and report on how I used my time in motors. This week has been super productive! I’ve been amazed throughout my mission to see the power of accountability in increasing effectiveness. It never hurts to report back – if that helps! The really wonderful thing is that it can apply to REAL life too :)

I participated in my last Spanish Language Meeting :( It’s only sad because I’ve enjoyed them so much, even if I did accidentally call the Pope, the potato! I’ve learned a lot! This meeting was focused on commitments. Our purpose as missionaries it to invite others to come unto Christ – how can they if we never commit them to change & start walking on this path? Now I can successfully commit someone to live the Word of Wisdom AND resolve any concerns they might have! Ta da!

One of our new investigators from this week is 69 years old; he lives alone and absolutely loves the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He was raised Methodist but doesn’t attend a church anymore, he believes that churches have become corrupted through the years. Hmm…apostasy much? He specifically said, “When I watch the Tabernacle Choir sing, I can see the Holy Ghost in their faces. They really believe what they’re singing.” Our first lesson with him was beautiful; he says it all makes sense!

Yesterday we called our bomb.com progressing-very-nicely investigator, Chris. Something he said really hit home for me; he said, “Faith is a belief you have without a need for proof.” God has provided us with the evidence that these things are true – The Book of Mormon is just that. I realized though, that even without that proof – I would have this surety that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has blessed my life so much that I have no need for that proof; my belief has become knowledge of these things.

I feel very privileged to be a missionary at this time, sharing this blessing with others.

Make it a wonderful week,

Sister Despain JR

Sunday, January 15, 2012

A Week of Success

Last P-day we made a pit stop at Vosen’s German Bakery – delicious as always. I was the designated driver that day, due to my own devious schemes…and it was snowing so we figured having an islander drive wouldn’t be a good idea. So we were 100% and I didn’t get a stomach ulcer from that expedition!

Success.

Over the last week or so we’ve had some difficulty in contacting Mahogany, to start teaching her. Finally just the other day she answered her phone! Great news: She got the scriptures she ordered and the missionaries in Texas are going to teach her family! We’ll check in about once a week to let her know we support her but other than that she is officially in the care of those Texan missionaries. I love technology.

Success.

A personal victory for the week: I started and finished Our Search for Happiness! It’s amazing to see the entire gospel explained so simply, cover to cover. I decided that it is one of the best books to recommend to those wanting to learn more about our basic beliefs. Apart from mormon.org, that is J

Success.

Zone Conference this week was outstanding! Best one of my whole mission! I think what made it so great was the fact that we had SIX stations that we rotated from every 20 minutes so there was a lot of moving. We had a 2 minute discussion & then practiced! That’s how you learn J Last of all, we had a closing section with President that was about an hour. We focused on the contacting model: (1)Build a relationship of trust, (2)Create an environment to teach, (3)Teach & Testify, (4)Invite & (5)Re-invite. I was very glad to discover that even in your last transfer, you can still improve your skills!

Success.

Friday morning we gathered together to meet our new President, President Gillette. He and his wife are from Salt Lake City; they are very sweet and eager to get to work! I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to serve with President & Sister Holmes, they will forever be a part of my life. As can be expected, the mission is making a very smooth transition & all is well! The church is still true!

Success!

SISTER A. DESPAIN

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time, there lived a cute Sister Missionary on Temple Square. Not really ON Temple Square, as some seem to think but BY it – in downtown –okay? Stop being a creeper & asking where we live! Anyways, there were several days of beautiful weather in the 50’s and all was well. One night she was woken up by an overwhelming need for a glass of water; as she got out of bed she looked out the window to see 4 inches of snow on the ground! Whoa! Yup, the snow fairy has visited Salt Lake :)

Now that the Christmas Crazy is over we’re back to our normal schedules, I love consistency.

One of my favorite investigators is Oscar from Ghana. He is so prepared, very ready to get baptized and he hasn’t even met the missionaries yet! He always says, “Yes please, yes please” and “Madam” and “Many returns” – it’s so adorable! With a little encouragement he is a very diligent reader and has made a lot of progress in understanding the basics of the gospel.

This week we met a fantastic couple from Florida who have built their home around missionary work. Every week they feed the missionaries, they play roller hockey on Mondays and every Sunday night they invite their neighbors over for a game of Apples to Apples, refreshments…and did we mention a short gospel message? They were a very impressive couple and were very willing to think of someone for us to call on their behalf. I love proactive members!

Thursday night I received three Spanish calls for DVDs or El Libro de Mormon and they ALL referred to learn more from missionaries! I love helping people find salvation – it’s the best.

This week – I crowned myself the “Dishes Queen”. I should get a pair of bedazzled rubber gloves :)

In my studies this week I was doing a more in-depth focus on the start of Lesson 2: The Plan of Salvation. I found there, one of my favorite study activities! There is a list of scriptures found in the Book of Mormon that are designed to help us teach people about Jesus Christ & His role. I’ve taken great pleasure in highlighting, drawing lines & putting notes in the margins of my Book of Mormon as I study this section. It would make for a great FHE Activity!

Jesus is the Christ. I know He lives and that The Book of Mormon is another testament of Him.

Love,

Sister Despain

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The power of Grandmas - From Jen

I've learned that Grandma's can pretty much do whatever they want. Not that they have a blatant disregard for rules or anything, but they have this fabulous self assurance that they know what's best, they're going to do what they're going to do and frankly - who's going to argue!! I love it!

Ainsley emailed us last Saturday letting us know that she was scheduled to "announce" after Music and the Spoken Word on Sunday, January 1, 2012. She was excited to be doing this in Spanish, inviting any attendees for a small group discussion and/or tour of the various teaching modules and sites on Temple Square. One of Ainsley's biggest fans took the opportunity to be in the crowd and get some shots of our favorite missionary. I did nothing to discourage her :) Enjoy!